If you are anything like me, you began shopping for your child’s school supplies weeks ago. Never wanting to wait until the last minute to go Back to School shopping, as soon as my daughter’s 3rd grade list was uploaded to the school’s website, I was on it. When I first saw the list, I was floored by all of the items that are needed. I don’t remember my 18 year old son needing so much stuff when he was in the 3rd grade, but I also know that was 10 years ago and things change. After comparing notes a few other moms at other schools, the consensus is that school districts are requiring a lot of supplies.
It got me thinking about families who may not be able to afford everything on the list. I am not quite done with getting everything required, but I’ve already spent close to $75 on headphones, crayons, pencils, dry erase markers, pens, composition books, hand sanitizer, etc. And I’ve gotten a little more than half on the list, which means there’s a lot more to go.
I am wondering if schools take into account the economy. Of course, because their budgets have been cut, then we have to take up the slack by buying things that used to be taken care of by the schools.
No matter the case, you want to send your child off to school with the tools they need to learn, and you want to make school the best experience it can be for them.
So, I ask you, What’s on your child’s back to school list? How much will you be spending for back to school supplies this year?
Sidenote: Here is a post I wrote listing Back to School Sales Tax Free Weekend, which is coming up for a lot of states. Check this list to see when your state is participating.
I have a 3rd grader as well and my daughter’s list looks almost identical to yours. My question, however, is what in the world is a third grader going to do with two large boxes of tissues?
We’ve been sending our daughter to school with two large boxes of tissues since kindergarten and still haven’t figured out what they use them for.
LOL. Very good question, Robb. If each child is bringing 2 boxes of Kleenex, and there’s 20 kids in the room, that is a lot of Kleenex. But with all of the colds kids get throughout the school year, I supposed it gets used.
We have 5 kids in school this year and the twins start the next.That will be 7 kids in school. Pure chaos and hilarity will ensue, I’m sure of it!
We catch sales. Buy 1 backpack get one free. Load up on the sale papers before school starts and the deals are there. Pencil packs and crayons for $0.25. Notebooks for $0.50. Binders and folders $1.00 or less. Then also buy extra to replenish during the middle of the year.
We’re a large family so we have to make every penny count!
Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
I have three kids in school, and I was able to get everything on the back to school list for less than $55 for all three! Along with some extras for mid year replenish time. 🙂
I do not understand why they request that each child bring in 48 pencils for community use. 20 kids x 48 pencils that is 960 in total do they really need that many? lol Oh well supplies are bought, kids are happy.
Teacher here (high school though)! Don’t you have some of those supplies from last year? If you find things cheap, buy multiples and save for next year or earlier (January).
As a teacher, we can go through a box of kleenex in a day or two. I know! Crazy! However, when students know I have kleenex in my room, they rely on it and take care of personal kleenex issues in my class. So those 40 boxes might not last until the end of the schoolyear. You can find kleenex for as cheap at 88cents a box for small boxes…so give 3 instead of the 2. Two large can be $1 or $1.50 on sale.
Also, I have students that need a new pencil/pen daily. I don’t know what they do with them at the end of the day.
Check out my school supplies sales list: http://fitandfashionchicago.blogspot.com/2012/08/school-supplies-sales.html