S/O How much do you spend per child on back to school purchases?

[AndrewsMother]

All the replies in the $200 NY EBT/TANF thread have piqued my curiosity. Just how much do people spend on supplies and clothing per child? While the $200 is a nice allotment, it would not begin to cover everything that I need to purchase for my PK age child to start school, but so many of you seem to spend less than $70 a child.

I understand that many thrift, and shop at sales, but the savings don't seem to add up.

The weather is warm here until November, so I only have/had to purchase 7 tops and maybe three bottoms, underwear, socks, shoes and a few miscellaneous items.

This is what we have spent so far for our 3 year old.

$100 two pairs of shoes (1 pair athletic and 1 pair brown casual, we will
purchase one more pair of shoes for school before September)

$35 4 polo style shirts

$190 School Supplies (we paid this to the school)

~$25 material and supplies to make a blanket and pillow cover for nap and
a small pillow from ikea.

~$35 for a logo pullover jacket from the school store. This will serve as his
school jacket for the cool months.

We will spend maybe another $200 on another pair of shoes, underwear, socks and a few more shirts. I don't purchase expensive clothing, but I insist on good shoes, fortunatley I found a store that sells them for buy one get one half price, so I was giddy that I only spent $100.

I am interested in knowing what other spend on their back to school purchases, if $200 is considered too much

[Knittin' in the Shade]

$190 to the school for supplies?! That seems like a LOT, especially for preschool (where I'm assuming you're already paying tuition). When my boys were in preschool, the most I ever spent on supplies was $20 or so for sending in tissues and crayons and things like that.

I've got 3 of my guys in school this year, 5th grade, 3rd grade and kindy. I've spent the most int he 5th grader, who needed binders, a planner (from the school for $10) and a scientific calculator. He also needs new sneakers, though his loafers that I bought in spring are still ingret shape so I don't need to replace those. All told, I'll probably spend about $220 on him (besides the school supplies, which were about $75, the sneakers will be about $60 and then he needs some new socks and polo shirts)

On the other two, who don't need new shoes or clothes, I'll just have to get the supplies, which will be less than $40 each. So total for all three kids will be about $300.

[Youngfrankenstein]

I think the $200 was for classroom supplies. I think clothes are in a separate catagory. I don't need to buy any clothing for my kids for school.

We spent $140 for two elementary age kids. That doesn't include the fees they will be charged after school starts. Last year that was about $65 per child.

[Polliwog]

I spent about $35 for supplies for my kindergartener. That included the tissues, the icky Chlorox wipes, and the Kindermat for rest time. Then, there were the two pairs of shoes/sneakers since he outgrew the old ones. He has wide feet, so our options are limited. Add in clothing to replace outgrown/worn out stuff and we're over $200.

[BetsyS]

I only have a 3 year old, so we're not quite in the back to school race yet.

I picked up a nap mat recently at the thrift store because it was monogrammed with his name. It cost $2.60.

My parents LOVE to buy shoes. My children have late summer birthdays, so they are always going to get shoes for birthdays. It works out for us. I also have no problem with used shoes (I know lots of people do; I don't). He only ever has 2 pairs of shoes. This winter's shoes are merrells, which dress up, so he'll only have 1 pair of shoes (unless grandpa gets an idea for more shoes.)

Also, I shop consignment sales and thrift. I just shopped a big consignment sale this weekend. I volunteered, so I shopped first. There was really good stuff there in boys' sizes up to about 12. My little boy only wears a size 4T, so tons of stuff for him. I splurged and bought one pair of $4 pants (the rest were under $3), and I bought one shirt for $4 (the rest were also under $3). I bought a seasons' worth of clothing (10 pairs of pants, a hat, a coat, a dress up outfit, shirts, etc) for $71. And, that wasn't restricting anything, but buying everything I wanted.

I am on a mailing list that routinely sends me $10 off $10 purchases at Kohl's and JC Penny. I use those coupons for socks and underwear.

[Drummer's Wife]

I spent quite a bit - probably close to $1k. BUT, I bought for 3 kids, (and even a couple things for the youngest) including new shoes, backpacks, jackets, and basically a whole wardrobe for each of them. They really needed new clothing, and I'm hoping with 3 boys, at least some of it is in good enough condition to pass on for years. I also chose to shop at Gymboree, Gap, LL Bean, and Ralph Lauren - but had 15-20% off coupons, and purchased mostly clearanced items. For the amount of new stuff we got, I think I did pretty good. I'd guess it averaged out to be about $325 per kid, which included the $30 supply fee paid to the teacher. Obviously, I could easily spend the $200 per kid NY was giving, but I could also see how others get away with spending much less, depending on what their kids needs, where they shop, and whether or not they pick up stuff all year long, have hand-me downs, get clothing as gifts, and so on.

[shaywyn]

Originally Posted by Youngfrankenstein

I think the $200 was for classroom supplies. I think clothes are in a separate catagory. I don't need to buy any clothing for my kids for school.

I got the impression it was for whatever the child needed, including clothes or uniforms.

We home school, so can't really answer this question because we obtain supplies year round. However, the girls get new clothes and shoes in the fall because the home school "season" kind of follows the basic school year, and we stock up on all the great deals on the basic school supplies.

I don't think 200 dollars per child is an unreasonable amount, at all. Not everyone has the opportunity, or time, to find all those great, like-new, secondhand clothing deals, kwim?

[annethcz]

This is a hard question because I have a hard time defining back to school.Regardless of where they're spending their days, my kids need shoes and clothes. So I don't necessarily consider clothing and shoes to be back to school purchases. Although I would consider uniforms to be a back to school expense if my kids were required to wear uniforms to school.

That said, I will be paying the public school about $75/child for supply and snack fees. I will also be buying new water bottles, backpacks and folders for my kids. I'll estimate that this will be about $50/child.

I don't think that spending $200/child for back to school is unreasonable, but I think that it can be done cheaper if you're motivated to do so.

[CarrieMF]

I have 3 kids in grades 6, 3 & 2 this year - public school.

My Dad gave me $100 for each kid for school supplies, I don't really know why he never has before. I let the girls buy clothes with that. Normally they get 1 outfit that I buy them so I didn't buy them anything this year except my oldest I purchased the white shirt she needs for band(she bought the black pants she needs). The shirt was $24.

They each got a pair of runners - $24ish each.

School supplies are around $50 combined for all 3 of them. None of them need backpacks this year.

I will pay $20 for the younger 2 to get their agenda & $30 or $35 for the oldest for her agenda & band fees. Her instrument is $30something a month.

I will have to buy new snowsuits for 1 or 2 of them can't remember which but that won't be for a while & would be needed whether they're in school or not.

[Alyantavid]

My 7 year old is starting second grade and we spent just under $22 on his school supplies. Clothes were $120, plus he'll need new shoes at some point. And we've yet to get his backpack. So right around $200 probably.

My 3 year old is starting preschool and we spent $4 on supplies for him. Tuition is $135 for the year.

[samandhenrysmom]

I am not that frugal - I am on here to learn But, we still are under $200/child for supplies and clothes. My kids are 5 and 11 and are both starting schools that require uniforms this year. I got them each 5 pairs of pants and 5 shorts, 6 white undershirts and the little one got polos. I started last spring and got some on ebay and some on clearance sales. My 11 yr old has to wear the official school polo - they were $12 and we bought 5 for $60 (no tax). All the pants/shorts/undershirts were about $125 total for both boys and I got 5 polos for the 5 yr old for about $50. The 11 yr olds school supplies were $30 (purchased by me at sales) and the 5 yr old has to have the school prepackaged supplies - $40. So, about $305 and then I will get the 5 yr old a new pair of shoes and a pair of jeans.

[frontstreetmama]

My girls always need 2 new pairs of shoes each for the fall, one indoor, one outdoor. Come October they will also need winter boots. My kids play HARD so shoes don't usually get passed down except for dress shoes. My girls like to shop so I take them shopping and they get to buy one outfit each (usually Walmart or Zellers) but that's usually around $30 each. LUCKILY, my mom takes them shopping for new backpacks, new lunchboxes, pencil cases and markers and erasers and stuff that they don't really *need* but that they like to get! They each have to buy an agenda from the school in the fall @ $8/piece. Other than that they get hand-me-down clothes all year round and hand-made clothes from my mom and aunt and if they *need* anything -- socks, undies, etc., my mom usually rounds that out for me -- thank goddess!! I always put clothes that are in good condition away in the spring so they don't get played in outside over the summer holidays and save them for 'new' clothes for fall!!

I guess my total would be $40 (2 pairs shoes), new outfit $30, agenda $8 for each girl so about $156 in total.

[frontstreetmama]

What I start to resent is the constant requests for $$ that come from the school all year that really add up!!! (pizza day, hot dog day, sub day, book orders, etc.)

[KayleeZoo]

My preschooler (whom we pay monthly tuition for) cost me $10 in supplies (the school asked for $$ and is buying in bulk)

For my 1st and 4th grader combined, I've spent $105 on supplies that were listed. We'll have 4 more supply lists total once school starts (each of them have 2 separate classes for gifted math and gifted literacy, and they have separate lists)

Probably $150 on a few new outfits to start the year (shorts/shirts, as it'll still be close to 100 deg here for the first month of school and most of what they have been wearing this summer still fits and looks good enough for school) and $100 or so on shoes. This is just for the girls; DS isn't getting anything new to trash at preschool $300 so far for fall/winter clothes for the girls (I've been buying on sale and putting stuff away) Oh, and $100 on LL Bean jackets on sale for all 3 kids- they were 50% off w/free shipping

So, for mandatory stuff- $115 for supplies that the schools asked for. Not sure how much the other supplies will run. I'm guessing less than $20 per girl for the rest. The clothes and shoes and jackets are regular "kids grow out of their stuff" purchases- with a couple new things just for school thrown in.

[CarrieMF]

My girls always need 2 new pairs of shoes each for the fall, one indoor, one outdoor. Come October they will also need winter boots.

Same here except my kids wear their holey shoes, sandles or shoes that they got in the spring until it's winter boot time.

[excitedtobeamom]

I have spent $19 on my Kindergarten's school supplies and that included several things for our church's school drive. I can't believe how much others spend. What kind of things are you buying? I did also buy a $10 lunch box. Thankfully family and hand me downs supply her with her clothes.

[jeca]

I spent about $160 just on school supplies alone for my three kids. Clothes and shoes I've been buying throughout the summer so I'm not really sure.

ETA: That price will go up when I purchase the gym uniforms required for DS. Also he needs a school logo hoodie since they aren't allowed to wear any other kind of jackets or hoodies in the classroom. I consider those school supplies also so add another $75 or so.

[ChetMC]

For Us...

Our oldest is 5 and starting school in the fall :

- we paid $40 to the school for her supplies.
- new running shoes to be left at school will probably cost us $25.
- I expect to spend $30 on a fall coat.

I pick up clothes for the next year on clearance... so I've been gradually collecting clothes from the Children's Place, Gymboree, OshKosh, etc when I can get things cheap. I've got lots of shirts, skirts and tights from the Children's Place that were $1 each, Gymboree dresses for $10, I never pay more that $10 for a pair of jeans, I often score shoes for $3 to $5. I can't imagine I've spent more than $100 total for a size 5/6 wardrobe.

I guess that totals up to about $200, but it's been spread out.

[mnnice]

One public schooled 2nd grader

There is a $30 fee to the school.

There are the school supplies, which would cost between $5-$25 dollars depending on how good you are at seeking deals.

There are gym shoes which are also on the supply list.

I think I am going to buy DS a stainless steel thermos to take milk in his lunch with (that should be $10-12).

I really need to do inventory on clothing and what does and does not fit right now. I know DS will need a new coat, boots, and snowpants and I have not generally had good luck with either finding thrift versions of these items. I am not sure I count these as back to school since kids can't exactly run around naked. Also I really have until October to find warm clothes.

[frontstreetmama]

Originally Posted by CarrieMF

Same here except my kids wear their holey shoes, sandles or shoes that they got in the spring until it's winter boot time.

I don't buy mine new ones because they have holes, they just seem to always be a bigger size come fall!!! And, well, they get more sneaker/runner type shoes after living in flip flops and sandals all summer!!! So, they haven't had new shoes since last fall!!!