Question

We have 2 boys going to school this coming fall (Kindergarten and 4K) how much money do you all suggest for back to school shopping? I know they'll need some new clothes and shoes, along with supplies. This is all new to us so I'd love suggestions on how much to save and saving tips! We're in WI, so we'll need clothes for all seasons!  

Answer 1

I try to budget approx $400 a year which includes field trips, class parties, spirit wear, uniform, teacher gifts, supplies (reused from previous year so not as high this year), Registration fees, sports/club fees, yearbookmisc Also added money to food budget to cover hot lunch. Also hello from Wisconsin! :)

Comments

Also budget somewhere for fundraisers (ie our school has auction, spaghetti dinner, skate nights, home and school events, etc) adds up quick

Answer 2

I shop year round. I buy a few things here and there. I catch sales on clothes and buy in off season. Pick up a few folders, paper, crayons etc when you're in the grocery store.  

Comments

@prefect Good idea! I typically check stuff out year round to see what's a good deal, so I'll keep that in mind!  

Answer 3

I shop year around. Amazon will usually have back to school supplies on sale. I keep staple items like pencils, paper, highlighters, notebooks and pens.  

Answer 4

I shop year round for clothes too in order to get deals. In terms of school supplies there are awesome sales in July and August. All our schools here have specific lists of school supplies required for each grade. Look on your school's website before buying any supplies. And buy in July/ August. Shopping sales I don't think I spent more than $20-30 on all of my first graders supplies.  

Answer 5

I only bought my daughter one new outfit for her first day when she started Kindergarten. I ordered a backpack from Amazon because I found a high quality one with a warranty for less and then I waited for the school list for everything else to prevent over buying things she didn’t actually need.  

Answer 6

I’d suggest $100-150 for supplies and clothes, they’ll probably need PE shoes too. Also don’t forget about enrollment fees and lunch/breakfast or milk money.  

Answer 7

Clothes we tended to spread out , but shoes can inflate your budget. For boys, I found we bought 3-4 pairs of tennis shoes a year. I never had good luck with off brands, but I always checked the clearance racks at all shoe, sporting goods, and department stores. Backpacks, we did basic ones from Lands End. When the zipper breaks, trade it out.  

Answer 8

I’ve budgeted $375 for my two. Our school has a tech fee $25 and supply fee $10 so that’s $70 right there. The rest is for a new backpack and lunch box (if needed) 2-3 outfits each and 1-2 pairs of shoes. I also will use it for lunch money and I like to get a couple of items off the teachers classroom wish list to send in.  

Answer 9

I buy all my kids clothes at tax time for the next whole year. but I budget $100/ea for supplies (they'll be going to kindergarten and 1st next year). I shop sales on things i know they'll need or things for their teachers throughout the year and keep a stockpile. ETA: this does not include supply fees of $30 each.  

Answer 10

First check your school website for registration fees. We moved from a school district with minimal fees to one that was over $100 per student. It was a bit of a shock for us, so don’t let that sneak up on you. In our community, the window to pay the fees for the upcoming school year, opens in April. On top of your school fees (if any) I would budget $100 per child. If you shop the sales in July/August, supplies may eat up $20-$50, depending on the backpack and that leaves plenty for the all important “1st Day of School” outfit!  

Answer 11

For clothes see if there are any Kids consignment shops in the area, I like thrift shopping especially for school clothes. they wear them out so fast

Comments

I'm also in Wisconsin  

Answer 12

I’d budget $500. Backpack, fees, lunchbag or lunch money, clothes, school pictures are always first month or so of school. My sons going to be a senior this fall and I’m having to budget $1, 500 for starters (it gets far more expensive ! )

Answer 13

You can call the school and get the school supply list they used this year. I don’t know about your schools, but ours require kids to bring tissues, hand sanitizer, wipes, red pens, etc. not stuff you would think about.  

Answer 14

Mine looks like this: School supplies, including lunch bag and backpack : 150 Clothes /shoes : 100 School fees : 120 Field trips /school activities : I start with 100 in September and add to it, I probably spend about 500/year in this category

Answer 15

So glad you posted this. We have a babe going into K4 this year. We will have all if not most of the yearly tuition saved before call even starts  that will save us a monthly cost. He shouldn’t need supplies since they have a supply fee. But I didn’t think about field trips!  

Answer 16

Thrift shop!  

Answer 17

Budgeted about 200 for 1 child.