How much on the average have you spent on back to school supplies per child this

1. 83

   Faith Reaperposted 9 years ago

   How much on the average have you spent on back to school supplies per child this year?
   
   Back to school is expensive.  Teachers are having to pay for a lot of their classroom supplies due to budget cuts and parents are encouraged to help with some of the supplies for the classroom.  The list provided by some schools for each child's needs is sometimes two pages long.  If you have children, how much on an average per child have you spent for back to school supplies, including clothing, quality shoes and a quality book bag, and how have you managed to cut costs and stay on budget, if at all?  Thank you for answering.
   
   

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2. 39

   ChristinSposted 9 years ago

   Hi Faith,
   One way I save money is by shopping right after school starts when they put things on clearance.  I'll stock up on notebooks, folders, glue, pencils etc. Things I know the kids will need later in the year or next year and I store them.  If you wait a couple of weeks from now you can find a lot of the stuff half price. 
   
   My most expensive child is my 1st grader.  His supply list was extensive.  Every year they specify they want "Crayola" brand etc. but I go with the less expensive roseart brand.  Crayons are crayons - and I'm not spending twice as much for a name. 
   
   You can usually get a few years out of a book bag and those go on sale soon also.
   
   My least expensive was my 9th grader believe it or not.  His classes only required binders, loose leaf paper, a folder, notebook and writing utensils.  Much of that I bought on clearance last year and he already had his scientific calculator.  The most expensive thing for him is going to be the whopping 250 dollar drivers ed fee 2nd quarter.
   
   As for clothing, my little one is easy.  I can shop for him at second hand stores still since he's small.  There are a lot of specialty shops for kids clothes that do trade-ins etc. Higher end thrift stores the clothes are very nice quality.  Older kids can be tough in that department.  Old Navy brands are pretty reasonably priced and decent quality.  We don't do "mall" clothes and fortunately my son isn't all about what's trendy etc. He's fine in just jeans and t-shirts.  If you know the exact sizes; you can order shoes online for a lot less than in the stores.  I get my 100 dollar trail runners for 49 bucks on Amazon for example.

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   1. 39

      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I had to go and look for dollar amounts - this year we spent about $150 total for both boys. Not too bad .

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   2. 83

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, Christin, you have your game on with the back to school shopping!  Not bad at all, I must say. We don't do "mall" clothes either! Old Navy brands are reasonable. Amazon is great for good deals on shoes.  My oldest granddaughter is in 1st grade.

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3. 92

   peeplesposted 9 years ago

   This year we spend well over a hundred dollars on just the school list for one of our children, not counting clothes or book bags. They asked us for way more than any year before. I understand teachers need help but the list provided to us was insane. I refuse to buy 8 boxes of Kleenex! Not going to happen. We don't go through that many a year at our home!  6 "clorox" brand only wipe containers?!?
   We save up on the notebooks and paper, pencils, crayons by buying throughout the year. But I certainly am not going to buy things exactly to the list.
   I get book bags on clearance after they go back to school. We never spend much money on clothes because I am a clearance aholic. I don't ever pass a clearance rack without looking for something. If I find cheap enough items but they are too big I just keep them packed until they grow into them. We thrift shop, We also do as Christin mention with shoes. My boys get their good shoes online and play shoes from walmart or kmart on clearance.

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   1. 83

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi peeples, wow, that is an insane list!  A clearance-aholic is certainly a good thing and sounds like you are so wise in thinking all out thoroughly and planning ahead.  Thank you for the awesome answer and insight provided here.

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4. 53

   Francine88posted 9 years ago

   We spent $225.00 on our 9 yr. old son.  Clothing is expensive especially when your children grow as weed.  We save and look for sales to maintain our budget.

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   1. 83

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hello Francine88, yes, clothing is usually what cost the most, especially for teenagers. It is always best to shop around for the best deals and not break your budget.  Thank you for answering.

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