Back-to-school shopping in Atlanta is expected to be less expensive this year, with families planning to spend around $611. This represents a decrease of $130 from last year's spending. The reduction is largely due to the rising cost of living, with higher prices for essentials like gas and groceries.

A significant portion of parents, about a quarter, are being forced to cut back on their spending due to these increased costs. To manage their budgets, parents are advised to start by taking stock of what they already have at home. Further details on back-to-school shopping trends and budgeting advice are available from the NerdWallet report.