If you plan to spend less on back-to-school gear this fall, you’re not alone, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Retail Federation. The trade group’s recent survey showed more families are buying only necessities and searching for sales. The average family with students in kindergarten through 12th grade is expected to spend just less than $550 on supplies, clothing, and such, a drop of 7.7 percent from 2008.

But the economic downtown has resulted in more drastic changes for some college-bound kids: To save money, they’re forgoing the whole dorm room/cafeteria food/breaking away experience and living at home with Mom and Pop. Nearly three out of five college students (58.5 percent) will live at home this year, compared with 54.1 percent last year and 49.1 percent in 2007, the NRF says. 

College students and their parents will spend more on school supplies and clothes than younger students, about $620 in 2009. And the NRF survey did not include the cost of college textbooks in its estimate. Textbooks often cost more than all other college supplies combined.

On average, college students and their parents fork out about $700 a year for textbooks and course materials, according to a report in the August issue of the Consumer Reports Money Adviser. The report describes some new ways college students have found to save on textbooks, primarily by shopping online.

For more tips on everything from buying the right backpack to best cars for teen drivers, check out our special back-to-school section.–Jean Pietrobono