Back to School Spending

[Dani C]

My 8th grader alone needs a $100 graphing calculator.

Make sure you get the correct one. Teachers can be really picky about them as they often want everyone to have the same kind so that they only have to know how one works. Also, hope that your child doesn't end up with another teacher the next year that wants a different one.

 

[XYSRUS]

Make sure you get the correct one. Teachers can be really picky about them as they often want everyone to have the same kind so that they only have to know how one works. Also, hope that your child doesn't end up with another teacher the next year that wants a different one.

I hear ya'. Haven't opened it yet but I've personally checked with the middle school and high school...so that means I'll probably be doing my grocery comparisons on $100 calculator!

 

[disneychard]

Last year I spend about 700.00 on clothes and supplies for one child. I hope this year, I can get my spending down a little bit.

 

[Kitzka]

DD is entering 6th grade which is middle school here. I buy a new schol bag every other year, no exceptions. If DD needs a new one part way through the year, she can use an old one or buy one herself. ANyway, I spent $50 on a messagner style bag from jansport.

I also spent abuot $150 in school supplies os far. I needed a $80 graphinc calculator and a 3 inch binder for math (that thing cost $15 on sale!) We also got 1 inch binders for her other subject. We also purchased extra pencils, erasers, etc. All i need is a good deal on filter paper and should be all set for the year! But man that $150 in school supplies REALLY hurt.

I also, do not buy many new clothes. she gets a few shirts and sweatshirts. I won't buy new sneakers until after school starts if her old sneakers still fit. jackets and boots i buy in Oct or Nov.

Lara

 

[libinatorsmom]

Last year I spend about 700.00 on clothes and supplies for one child. I hope this year, I can get my spending down a little bit.

I was starting to think I was going overboard... EEEK!!!!

 

[disneychard]

I was starting to think I was going overboard... EEEK!!!!

My son will be 12 in September, he wears alot of van's, tony hawk and etc.,,

 

[dismom9761]

This year has hit me hard because all four will be in school for the first time.I have shopped sales but the supplies alone have cost me almost $100 and I am not finished.My kids are in 8th,6th,5th,and kindergarten.

My youngest can still fit in most of her summer clothes and I won't buy fall/winter for several months.She got two new outfits and two pair of shoes because she only had flip flops.She got Justice clothes,sketchers and converse.I spent $70.I used coupons and the buy one get one 1/2 off.

My 10 year old needed alot.She has grown several inches this summer and her foot has gone from size 8 to size 9 1/2.She got clothes from JCPenney and Justice and got two pair of shoes,Justice and Asics.I also hit aeropostle when they were having a sale.I have spent about $150 on clothes and $60 on shoes.Not bad because the tennis shoes were $85 by themselves but I waited for a sale and then stacked coupons.

My 11 year old hasn't grown so I got out cheap.I have spent about $50 at JCPenney and Aero for him on clothes.$70 on shoes(Sperry and converse)

Now for my oldest(13 yrs old) I have only bought a pair of Sperry($50).My mom has bought him a couple of Polos but I will be shopping for him this weekend.He is in adult sizes and wears an size 11 shoe.I won't spend more than $150 for now and then will be more when it cools off.

So I have spent $550 so far...Not as good as I thought when I started adding it up.Oh well I have done as well as I can to keep it low.They are getting older and want certain brands.

 

[mum4jenn]

i am spending a lot on school supplies. target seems to have the best deals around.

Walmart has better prices around here for regular items than Target. I also look for the sales for Staples and Office Depot.

 

[natashag76]

I went to Walmart for my 1st grader and spent about $25 on supplies. However, I haven't even started with clothes! If you're not opposed to consignments - try Once Upon A Child. It's a national chain and they often have "fill a bag for $15" days. They also often have things with the original tags still on. Otherwise, I wait for the sales at Kohls and then to go to retailmenot.com and get tons of promo codes

 

[kgc07]

DS will be starting kindergarten at a catholic shool so he has to wear uniforms. I have spent about $300 so far on uniforms that will get him started with the summer and fall. I still need to buy a few more pairs of slacks and long sleeve shirts for the winter. His school supplies were $50...would have been less if I didn't have to buy Prang water colors.

 

[libinatorsmom]

Thanks everyone - I actually made a coupon LIST!!! and I hope we are all set so I can just pull it out and know what coupon I have for that store... we are going to start at Kohls in the morning (they are having an early bird sale) then head to the mall... I hope we have fun more then anything!!!!! Have to remember to hold some cash back for supplies at Target have the mall...

 

[PinkRhombus]

If I didn't buy it on clearance in the spring, I don't buy any fall/cooler weather clothing until early October when it's all on better sales.

One is in uniforms, but the other isn't and I will buy a couple of warmer weather tops on clearance...still new clothes for the first day...but that's it.

I just bought a bunch of summer stuff for next spring/summer for next to nothing from Children's Place and Justice.

I spent about $25 or so on supplies for both kids (unlike those $40 supply boxes they were trying to get us all to buy in the spring...geez).

 

[java]

I just got my middle schoolers list and it's really silly. In total on the list from the various teachers they want 7 2 inch binders- how is she going to carry 14 inches of binders around? Along with text books?
I'm not buying that. I'll buy her 2 binders and dividers. That will work fine.

 

[Skatermom23]

I just got my middle schoolers list and it's really silly. In total on the list from the various teachers they want 7 2 inch binders- how is she going to carry 14 inches of binders around? Along with text books?
I'm not buying that. I'll buy her 2 binders and dividers. That will work fine.

She will probably need a binder for each class, but a 1 or 1 1/2 inch one should be plenty. She will go to lockers between every two classes or so and be able to get what she needs. Trust be, keeping a binder just so...is an important grade and a learning experience she will need for HS>

My kids are a junior and senior this year and the only supplies we need are binders for every class, dividers, paper and mechanical pencils. I go to Costco where they sell quality 1 1/2 binders, in white, for a decent price. Thankfully the expensive stuff like calculators have already been bought.

For DD16, I spend about 400 on BTS clothes including tennis shoes and for DS18, he usually gets about 250. Boys are cheaper in that area!

 

[java]

She will probably need a binder for each class, but a 1 or 1 1/2 inch one should be plenty. She will go to lockers between every two classes or so and be able to get what she needs. Trust be, keeping a binder just so...is an important grade and a learning experience she will need for HS>

My kids are a junior and senior this year and the only supplies we need are binders for every class, dividers, paper and mechanical pencils. I go to Costco where they sell quality 1 1/2 binders, in white, for a decent price. Thankfully the expensive stuff like calculators have already been bought.

For DD16, I spend about 400 on BTS clothes including tennis shoes and for DS18, he usually gets about 250. Boys are cheaper in that area!

Thanks I have a high schooler too and he's the one that needs the organizing. My 11 year old actually has no problems keeping her stuff in place. She has folders for homework. Paper punches stuff as she gets it. I'm thinking she might need a solo for Science and one for Math but the others can share. They are switching over to block scheduling this year so I am guessing I'll get a new "list" in September after school begins.

Yes and on calculators always check with the high school and buy one that they'll be able to use in High School too so you are getting your $$ worth. Our middle school only requires one that is $80 but it's not the one they need in high school. I checked with the Teacher in middle school if I could buy the "better" one and she was fine with that. So I bought ONE instead of having to buy 2.

 

[CLEVERGIRL]

Hi guys. If your kids like Aeropostale and American Eagle consider TJMaxx and Marshall's. They jus got some huge shipments in in our town. They have some stuff for summer and lots of winter clothes like hoodies and sweats. I put two big layaways up for my kids and I will pay them out on our tax-free weekend and bam.....School clothes and christmas present/winter clothes.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

I am sooooooo not looking forward to the back to school shopping trips. I have one in elementary, one in middle and one in high school so it is costly. Need the $100+ calculators, all the binders add up quickly etc etc. and all 3 kids need 2 pair of shoes as they must have indoor gym shoes and their indoor shoes last year were worn all summer camping so they are done. They all with get 3-4 fall outfits and then winter will be a $$$$ trip also as they all need new jackets and boots as i was lucky and didnt have to buy that last year..........

 

[carj]

So far, I have spent about $8 on school supplies. I think that I can catch most everything for next to nothing. The only exception is the manilla paper. Nobody ever seems to run a sale on that. At least not like the penny and quarter sales!

I buy my son a new pair of tennis shoes and I buy my daughter a pair of tennis shoes and 1 or 2 other pair of those active type shoes that are sort of a cross between tennis shoes and mary janes. They have to wear tennis shoes for PE and I think that it is silly for a 6 year old to have to go through the trouble of changing shoes for a class. So...she must wear athletic shoes of some sort every day. I will probably spend about $50 on my son's shoes and $60-75 on her 3 pair of shoes. So...$125 on shoes. They always need shoes when school starts since they have worn sandals all summer. They never need tennis shoes in the summer.

I won't buy pants or long sleeves unless it is an awesome deal. We are in Texas and my kids will wear shorts from March to the end of October. I bought stuff last year on clearance and they both have a couple of things that might fit.

Still, I enjoy the fun of back-to-school shopping so we will probably go and pick up a few outfits that will make them feel special. (They really and truly don't need any new clothes.) So, $100 each for that. My daughter will want to go to Justice, because they sell Webkinz and my son will not care at all.

I think that total back to school for 2 kids will be $400 or less. I am a teacher so I like to get some things for myself. I will probably spend $150-200 on clothes for me.

 

[PghBurgher]

I have two - one starting middle school this year and one in high school - both girls.

Our Middle School PTA put together packets for $70 that supposedly include all supplies that they need including an expensive specialty calculator that sells for about $40 or so.

We also got a Kohls 30% off coupon and used it for a couple of outfits and a pair of schools for the youngest (total $61).

Not too bad, however, older daughter likes/wants a juicy couture bag, lucky jeans, american eagle tops etc. I'm fine with buying notebooks and some stuff such but jeez! Thinking of telling her she has X number of dollars to spend and that's it. She also has some babysitting money of her own. Will probably try to hit Marshalls and/or TJ Maxx with her.

We typically wait like some others here until October or so before buying cold weather items....