Back to school expenses blues . . . .

Bucky · July 30, 2012, 04:07:02 PM

It's that time of year again, BACK TO SCHOOL, and all the expenses that incurs!!

We only have one student, and that alone is enough with all the book fees, parking fees, special calculators (at $100), sports fees, shoes, clothes, school supplies, etc. that our son "needs" for the upcoming school year. Oh, and can't forget lunches! I can't imagine having several kids in school and doubling, tripling, or more, of all these expenses.

Sigh . . . . like sands through the hourglass, so is my paycheck on BACK TO SCHOOL!! $:-\$

Bucky

iraisin · July 30, 2012, 04:16:33 PM

I know what you mean. I used to feel like I had to take a loan out to get it all for just 2 boys.

My parents had 12 children. I remember my mom would make oatmeal for our breakfast using the same pot she boiled our pasta in for spaghetti.

Then I remember her taking out every bread slice from the bag, laying them all out in rows on the counter and systematically spread peanut butter and jelly on them all for our lunches.

I couldn't do it. I got spade after my second child. There was no way I was going there. We Italians are baby factories - I knew I was doomed if I didn't get drastic on that one.

Gayle · July 30, 2012, 04:19:28 PM

LOL, your 'sands' crack me up! I get it though. I have three grandchildren whose parents both lost their jobs and are just now getting slightly on their feet. I have been racking up the bills for 6 months and am dreading this new onslaught of back to school bills...

mshistory · July 31, 2012, 06:11:17 AM

Yeah, our checkbook is feeling the pain too. Our kids go to private school (where we live, it's not much of a choice - our public schools aren't only terrible, they can be dangerous). One is in Kindergarten so in addition to tuition, we had to buy the uniforms, pay for supplies, and she still needs school-approved-shoes. Our younger daughter is in the Pre-K program at the same school.

iraisin, 12 kids!?? Your poor mom! Like you, I had 2 and that was it - we were done. My husband had a vasectomy. My body could not handle another pregnancy or c-section (I really think it would kill me - I had so many complications).

Gayle · July 31, 2012, 06:57:51 AM

Hi All,

Just heard a great tip on TV. IF your student needs a scientific calculator and is allowed to have a phone with them, there is an app for that... literally, there is an iphone app that's free which turns the phone into the calculator.

slccom · July 31, 2012, 10:29:22 AM

There are also great clothes at thrift shops, and this is the time to get the paper, etc. really cheaply.

Sharon, whose kids are 4-legged and fuzzy! (Although Paige does love to eat paper...)

Bucky · July 31, 2012, 05:39:54 PM

Quote from: Gayle on July 31, 2012, 06:57:51 AM
Just heard a great tip on TV. IF your student needs a scientific calculator and is allowed to have a phone with them, there is an app for that... literally, there is an iphone app that's free which turns the phone into the calculator.

Hmmm, wonder if that would include a graphing calculator? Do you have a website or something where I could check this out at? Tomorrow is school registration, I might ask them if this would be allowed. (The kids are allowed to have their phones with them, but if they are caught talking or texting on them, they are confiscated. So, I'm guessing they would not allow it - but, one never knows - it doesn't hurt to ask, the worst they can say is, "no".)

Thanks for the info.
Bucky

Gayle · July 31, 2012, 06:19:19 PM

Yes Bucky, here is the link

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free-graphing-calculator/id378009553?mt=8

Gayle

harrigan · August 01, 2012, 08:58:54 AM

I'm not quite out of the woods yet, as my youngest (of 5) will start at College in September, but for the first time in 23 years I will have no more school uniform to buy, wash etc. I'm so excited!!! You made me smile with the sandwich preparation for all those lunches ... no more of that either!! Ailsa

Gayle · August 01, 2012, 10:22:35 AM

WOW Harrigan, that should save you enough money to go off for a nice weekend!!! Or.... a really great dinner? or some great new shoes and outfit, or.... a 2 day spa for you and someone special, or wow... I can think of lot's of things to do with that... ok, maybe save some....

4Kids · August 01, 2012, 12:21:10 PM

3 going to school this fall, and we are moving as well

I cannot believe the amount of money I am watching sift through my hands.

Katybarstool · August 01, 2012, 12:43:47 PM

Ailsa, that really is a landmark for you. It must be such a relief too. My kids are all grown, but quite often we contribute to school uniforms for the grandies. We remember how difficult it was when our three were young.

Kathyx

Meld256 · August 01, 2012, 12:56:48 PM

Ailsa, yes, as Katybarstool says...it's quite a relief when the kids are older and you're not paying out a load for back-to-school.

We had 3 children in school at the same time for a while. Then just the youngest, but I just realized we did this for 25 years total!! So I can relate to those who are sending them with all the expenses now, except there are more things that parents are expected to pay for these days.

We have 3 "new grandchildren" a few states away; my youngest son's fiance's kids.

We're helping out a bit with some school things because I remember how it is.

By the way, back when I managed restaurants some employess would ask why business was slowest in August. Back-to-School!

susanep · August 01, 2012, 08:49:42 PM

I don't have any kids in school now, nor any grands, but we have several grand nieces, and their mom got a real long list to buy for each one.

We have so far bought outfits for 3 of 4, with tomorrow being the 4th, plus I hope to hit the 127 yard sale that is headquartered here in East TN.

Wish me good finds at the sale.

susanep

Bucky · August 01, 2012, 09:36:24 PM

Quote from: susanep on August 01, 2012, 08:49:42 PMI hope to hit the 127 yard sale that is headquartered here in East TN.

Oh, that sounds like fun, Susanep! Can I come too??

I just added up what we've spent "so far" on back-to-school this week alone (registration was today): $494!!!!

$:-\$ We bought clothes on sale, but the "set" expenses - book fees, parking fee, calculator (they wouldn't allow the use of the phone), and school physical we couldn't get any cheaper. We didn't have to buy school supplies (notebooks, binders, etc.) as we already stocked up on them last year when they were on clearance.

We haven't EVEN got into the fall sports expenses yet. (I should just have my paycheck direct deposited to the school!!

)

From my experience, when our son was younger, it was easier and cheaper to buy for him (clothes wise). Once they get into their teens, they have a "look" they have to have.

Thankfully, our son has a level head and just shakes his head at the ridiculous prices in the stores and it doesn't bother him to head to the clearance rack to buy things, or look for the sale items. He found a $70 jacket for $7.00.

Just once, I would love to be able to tell him that he can pick out whatever he wants - that he didn't have to look at the price tag FIRST, or have a budget to stay within. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen - but, he understands.

Good Luck to all who are dealing with the back-to-school expenses . . . from what I hear, college is EVEN worse!!

Sigh!

Bucky

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