Back To School Blues

Why is it that it has to cost a fortune every time our kids go back to school?


Well, actually it does not have too. Although there are certain fees that cannot be avoided-like class fees, there are many things that are not necessities. It is important to review with our families, before we go shopping, what are actual needs and what are wants. When wants and needs are not addressed before the shopping trip, then many wants will automatically fall into the needs category. Yes, it is fun to have all new things for school every year. However, this is very taxing on any budget and not necessary. (When we fail to prepare then we will not have the funds that we need for other areas of our budgets, like food storage.) Additionally, when we over indulge our children, to make up for things that maybe we did not have as a child, then we are adding to the "me" generation of thinking.

Additionally, you need to speak with your spouse prior to the shopping trip so that you will be on the same page and stand strong in your list only -shopping trip. It can be extremely frustrating for one parent to give in and start a free for all shopping trip. This never turns out well in the end. And usually results with the giving in parent complaining about how much was spent on school supplies. *I speak from experience : )



Ideas to help in the future-


1. Go over class lists with your child. Look at all possibilities. At the end of ever school year I collect all usable supplies from my kids and store them for the next school year. Maybe that child will not need it for the next school year but another family member might. If you do not collect these left over items then they will quickly become destroyed.


Determine what items the child actually needs, pull out old usable items from the previous school year. This includes lunch boxes and back packs. I require my kids to use their back packs and lunch boxes until they are worn out. A back pack or lunch box with suraface, small holes is still use able! I also teach my kids that they need to take care of their supplies any deliberate disrespect for their items, like throwing their back packs out of the car, will result in them having to earn the money to replace their back pack. If they do not want to be responsible, then they will carry their items in a grocery bag. The worry for your child's care of their personal belongings needs to be placed onto them for your child to learn how to be responsible as the grow older and have to accept larger responsibilities. If your child picks a back pack or lunch box that is cheaply made then, do not purchase it. I allowed Brylee last year to get one because it was sooo cute, only to have it rip after the first week. This year we purchased really great sturdy back packs for Christian and Brylee at Costco. They were $30.00 however, they will last at least 2 years. If you purchase good quality back packs either new or at the Goodwill they will hold up for several years. I was shocked to see that Kohl's semi-okay back packs (would probably last lone year) were on sale $40-$65! Yikes!


Back Packs and lunch boxes that are in good condition can be purchased at the Goodwill or other second hands stores through out the year. I like to purchase spare lunch boxes and back packs at the Good will so that I will not have to pay full price. I have a finding Nemo lunch box that the kids get to use if they are not responsible for their lunch box...they do not like using it and suddenly their missing lunch box returns : )


2- School clothes- A recipe for budget disaster!
Why is it that children NEED a whole new wardrobe to start school? Answer! THEY DO NOT!!!
Even if thier friend so and so does. Once again needs and wants need to be reviewed. And inventories taken. At the end of every school year I separate my younger children's clothes into piles of what clothes will fit them the start of the school year-including pants. It is so hot here that pants do not need to be worn in the summer. *If your child wears the clothes outside all summer they will be ruined. (Why are childern harder on things during the summer?) I then put them up into a box so they are not daily options and will be ready for the start of school again. *You will have to gauge of this plan will work for your child. Do they grow fast? Will they out grow the item and not be able to wear it at the start of school? Could the item be saved for a younger sibling? Could you cut off pants to make them into shorts? Could a old favorite t-shirt be made into a cute tote bag by cutting off the sleeves and sewing up the bottom?


Keep an inventory of your child's clothes and shoes. Determine what they will need for the up coming school year. I always shop the Goodwill for clothes and shoes, towells, sheets, blankets, house hold items. (They can be washed!) The Goodwill and Second Hard stores are a great place to find clothes. When you go into the store do not be deterred by smells or the sight of stained items. You will have to look for the treasures. But you can find many. Do not buy clothes that are stained or ripped. I do not buy socks or under clothing either (you can but it seems a little gross to me ). Do not wait until school is going to start to do your Goodwill or second hand store shopping. Every Thursday the Goodwill has a $1.00 sale. (I have fully clothed all of my kids for the summer shopping the $1.00 sales for under $100.
Once a month the Goodwill holds a 50% off sale. You can also shop garage sales.
Keep in mind that you can still out shop you budget even at the Goodwill or second hand store. Keep an inventory of who needs what and don't over buy for one child or thier room will pay for it will being over stuffed.

If your teenager or child is opposed to shopping at the Goodwill or Second hand sores pre-determine what you are willing to spend on school clothes. Then let them know that they will have to make up the difference with their own money. Usually this will help them to at least take a look at the Goodwill. If your teenager does not want to be seen in the Goodwill then shop for them and return the items, if they do not like them. You maybe surprised that 75-80% of all our clothes are purchased at the Goodwill. If you actually look you can find brand names and very nice items. Most of my girls church dresses have been purchases for $1-$4 at the Goodwill.

Better yet, arrange clothing swaps with your friends or family members. Hand me downs are sooo great! And they are FREE!


Additionally, kids to not NEED to be overwhelmed with extras for school or daily items and toys. Help them to learn to appreciate what they have or what things they get. Or let them know what they will not be getting in the future if you spend money to buy them unnecessary items. IE: you will be eating peanut butter sandwiches, fruit and carrots and water for the next month in your lunch. No treats or chips or drinks- and then STICK TO IT if they make that choice.


Another area that bugs me to death is school fundraisers and book sales. This is never in the needs category ever! Yes, it is nice to help out the school if your budget affords it. However, we can quickly become over taxed with all the fundraising that we feel pressured to commit to. Don't do it! If you want to support the school make a one time tax free donation or donate your time.

Book sales are another budget soaker! Don't get me wrong I love books. If you want to build your home library then go to the second hand stores. The best place to get books is at the St Vincent De Paul Thrift store (on main street across from the Wal Mart). I have gotten whole apple boxes full of books for $8.00 Many of the tiles are Scholastic books that the kids are dying to buy from the school Scholastic book orders. If you only want to buy a few books they are 25 cents -50 cents each. Compared to the $5-10 book order prices. The Goodwill has books too, but they are higher priced.

Better yet borrow from the library for FREE! Do sign up for e-mail notification so you will know when your books are coming due and avoid the late fees! So simple!

We need to return to the pioneers motto- Use it up, wear it out, or make do.

My husbands grand father did not even have shoes growing up in the snow in Ohio. He would wrap old cloth around his feet to go outside. His dinner most nights consisted of boiled onion. Do our children really need to be overly burdened with gifts and trivial items that will break the bank? Our children, teens and young adults need to be taught how life really is or they will not be prepared to be responsible adults.

Think about it!!!