School Clothes and supplies- how much do you $$?

sweetsunnyc · July 2013

Hi All-

My stepdaughter (14) is coming to live with us in August to attend high school. My soon to be 5 year old also starts kindergarten in August.....I had a panic attack last night thinking about the cost of school clothes and supplies as they will both need new things. Just wondering how much other moms spend- am I crazy to think that I can keep the cost below/around 400.00? We are just very tight right now.

Anyone have any good saving/shopping tips? It would be appreciated!

TIA!

Karla CS · July 2013

My kiddo is nowhere near school age, but I don't remember ever getting a whole lot of specific new clothes for back to school.. Just continually adding a few things here and there as seasons change. I don't see why you couldn't continue doing that.

MirandaHobbes · July 2013

Ditto PP- the kindy list will be more $$. Our list specifies name brands (crayola, etc) but if yours doesn't you can save quite a bit at Dollar Stores. I was just thinking I need to start looking at back to school clothing. I may plan a trip to the outlet mall, but really, he doesn't need that much stuff right away. It's gonna be "summer like" for at least a month into school, so he can wear all his same summer clothing. I watch thrift shops like a hawk so have already purchased really nice winter boots, and his winter coat still fits from last year. I may use the outlet mall for good quality tennis shoes and jeans, which he seems to wear through quickets. Also, especially for the younger set, I'm considering ebay lots- a good way to get a bulk of good quality clothing for reasonable prices.

2chatter · July 2013

This is our first year not in uniforms for the older children. The toddler will have a uniform, so my wardrobes are completely backwards (the girls who are older have fewer non-uniform clothes and now need them). I have found that a lot of what they wear doesn't meet the dress code (tank tops and dresses with thin straps).

I'm worried about cost, but have progressively picked up clothes through the summer.

Things that always get me - shoes, underwear and socks. The cost adds up!

MNgirl326 · July 2013

School supplies will run about 100 for Kindergarten.

As far as clothes go, she doesn't NEED a brand new set of clothes the day school starts. Remember, it is usually still pretty warm on the first day of school and into mid September or later. So, clothes can be bought a little bit by bit.

Stores are usually 3 months head of the season- so many of the stores already have their fall stuff out- which means in about 8 weeks or so, that stuff will start to go on clearance. So they can get ready for late fall/winter. If you keep an eye on sale stuff you should be able to school clothes little by little over the next few months.

jf198400 · July 2013

My kids are nowhere near school age but I am Shocked that school supplies for kindergarten would be $100! Does that seem crazy to anyone else???

KdgTeacher · July 2013

Does your state do a tax free weekend before school starts? That's a great way to save $$.

ss+el · July 2013

jf198400:
My kids are nowhere near school age but I am Shocked that school supplies for kindergarten would be $100! Does that seem crazy to anyone else???

Yes and no. They are adding so much stuff now - hand sanitizer, ziploc bags, dry erase markers for the teacher, etc. That being said, once the ads start, most of the basics can be had for 25-50 cents each, pencils, crayons, glue, etc, maybe $1 for markers and scissors.

Sparks in training! · July 2013

for school supplies- Target walmart

Clothes- Burlington Coat factory! Kohls or Macy's, Forever 21

I think your cost is totally do-able. Just have the 14 year old focus on the basics with a few fun poppy items.

I personally dont really go out school shopping. My dd is pretty lucky to just get school supplies. She gets tons of new clothes for her Bday in July. That and I have tried to sheild her from malls and wanting only Name brand clothes. Saves me money and headaches!

Good luck with the 14 year old! MY dd just turned 12 yesterday. Only advise. DONT take ANYTHING personal. Its just the hormones. I am told the space ship returns our real daughters back around age 19.

sweetsunnyc · July 2013

This is all wonderful info- thank you every one! I just had a moment of panic last night thinking of the cost. School starts early here (3rd week in August), so it will be very warm still. My 5 year old's birthday is on 8/9, so I may ask my mom and sister to get her a few new outfits as part of her gift and then give my step daughter 100.00 to spend. Ahhhh- the joy of having 3 girls. Luckily, my youngest is only 7 months so we have time before school supplies and clothes.

MNgirl326 · July 2013

jf198400:
My kids are nowhere near school age but I am Shocked that school supplies for kindergarten would be $100! Does that seem crazy to anyone else???

Here is a list for KG at the school I teach at- This doesn't include a back pack, lunch box if you want to send a lunch, and required $15 school t-shirt. The first grade list has a lot more on it, specific colored folders, notebooks, etc. You can bargin shop around, so of course it can cost less then $100, I was just giving a generic estimate for easy numbers sake.

KINDERGARTEN 2 boxes Crayola Markers (thick)2 boxes Crayola Markers (fine) 2boxes Crayola Crayonspencil box 4 thick dry eraser markers(Expo low odor) 2 boxes 24 #2 Ticondergoa pencils (sharpened) 1 set of watercolor paints 1 box of tissues 5 folders, plain plastic, no fasteners 2 Elmer?s ?Glue All?glue 12 white Glue Sticks 2Fiskars scissors-rounded tip 2 hard-covered composition books 1 container Clorox wipes 1 box Hefty one quart zip bags1 inch binder 2 boxes Ziploc bags Last name A-M quart size, N-Z 1/2 gallon1 pack construction paper mixed colors

jf198400 · July 2013

abartow:
jf198400:
My kids are nowhere near school age but I am Shocked that school supplies for kindergarten would be $100! Does that seem crazy to anyone else???
Here is a list for KG at the school I teach at- This doesn't include a back pack, lunch box if you want to send a lunch, and required $15 school t-shirt. The first grade list has a lot more on it, specific colored folders, notebooks, etc. You can bargin shop around, so of course it can cost less then $100, I was just giving a generic estimate for easy numbers sake.
KINDERGARTEN2 boxes Crayola Markers (thick)2 boxes Crayola Markers (fine) 2boxes Crayola Crayonspencil box 4 thick dry eraser markers(Expo low odor) 2 boxes 24 #2 Ticondergoa pencils (sharpened) 1 set of watercolor paints 1 box of tissues 5 folders, plain plastic, no fasteners 2 Elmer?s ?Glue All?glue 12 white Glue Sticks 2Fiskars scissors-rounded tip 2 hard-covered composition books 1 container Clorox wipes 1 box Hefty one quart zip bags1 inch binder 2 boxes Ziploc bags Last name A-M quart size, N-Z 1/2 gallon1 pack construction paper mixed colors

Some of this is ridiculous. I have no problem buying things my child needs but 4 boxes of markers and 12 glue sticks, are you $hitting me??? I would send in one of each item and buy more throughout the year As Needed.

MNgirl326 · July 2013

jf198400:
abartow:
jf198400:
My kids are nowhere near school age but I am Shocked that school supplies for kindergarten would be $100! Does that seem crazy to anyone else???
Here is a list for KG at the school I teach at- This doesn't include a back pack, lunch box if you want to send a lunch, and required $15 school t-shirt. The first grade list has a lot more on it, specific colored folders, notebooks, etc. You can bargin shop around, so of course it can cost less then $100, I was just giving a generic estimate for easy numbers sake.
KINDERGARTEN2 boxes Crayola Markers (thick)2 boxes Crayola Markers (fine) 2boxes Crayola Crayonspencil box 4 thick dry eraser markers(Expo low odor) 2 boxes 24 #2 Ticondergoa pencils (sharpened) 1 set of watercolor paints 1 box of tissues 5 folders, plain plastic, no fasteners 2 Elmer?s ?Glue All?glue 12 white Glue Sticks 2Fiskars scissors-rounded tip 2 hard-covered composition books 1 container Clorox wipes 1 box Hefty one quart zip bags1 inch binder 2 boxes Ziploc bags Last name A-M quart size, N-Z 1/2 gallon1 pack construction paper mixed colors
Some of this is ridiculous. I have no problem buying things my child needs but 4 boxes of markers and 12 glue sticks, are you $hitting me??? I would send in one of each item and buy more throughout the year As Needed.

Nice attitude. The reason they do this is so you can actually get the deals NOW, when the prices are cheaper. Also 12 glue sticks for a KG student who does does a lot of art projects won't last til Christmas.

One glue stick will most likely last a week or two. So unless you want to be buying glue sticks every week, you will probably want to send more then one.

But whatever, these are one of the moments where of course the parent knows best and the teacher knows nothing.

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