Back-to-school shopping hasn't been easy this year for Lauren Cyr. Total spending on school-related items for students in these grades is expected to climb to a new high of $41.5 billion. Instead, consumers have reported that purchases of more supplies and bigger-ticket items have contributed to higher spending this year. While inflation has broadly slowed, consumers may not feel any respite as prices of school supplies are still rising. "By being flexible in what you're purchasing, you can actually come away with both a happy child and a happy wallet."

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Persons: Lauren Cyr, ", Cyr, Cyr isn't, Jay Zagorsky Organizations: National Retail Federation, Prosper, Boston University's Questrom School of Business Locations: Ruskin , Florida