Back to school is already starting!

Ever see those college shirts that say something like, “My son and my money go to Michigan Tech” or “My daughter and my money go to Central Michigan”? It doesn’t matter the school, education is expensive. And these days, you might as well make tee shirts for every school, from elementary on up.

There are so many things to buy, even for young students. Each year, “The List” comes from the school… and it is extensive. Not only do you need basic supplies for every class, you also need specialty items for disciplines such as art or advanced mathematics. Plus, if you have elementary age students, there is often the secondary “Classroom List” – that every family is expected to help with. Typical items on that list are things like napkins and hand sanitizer. And you haven’t even added in any needs for sports, advanced arts, music, competitive sciences, or electronic devices.

All this makes what the National Retail Federation (NRF) says about spending not surprising. They reported that in 2014 the average back to school total spending was approximately $580 for elementary and $682 for junior/middle and senior high students. Those amounts did include clothing, shoes, school supplies, and electronics, but did not include extras for items such as sports equipment or musical instruments. 2015 is expected to be roughly the same, but could potentially be different, depending on school budgets and curriculum.

In Michigan, the State House and Senate have enacted measures to increase the per student support schools are receiving from the State. In most areas, the amount will range between $70-$140 per student more than in 2014-15. However, with the increase in expenses always staying ahead of funds, it is unlikely this additional money will result in lower family spending. (To read more about the budget changes, you can check out the articles available on MLive.com.)

Because families cannot count on additional State funding lowering what they will be expected to purchase, July is the time to enact a plan to slash that $600+/- per student spending. For years, the team at SavingsAngel has brought attention to, and advocated, starting your back to school shopping very early. Over the past 8 years, the back to school trends have been reliable, with sales starting just after the 4^th of July. Simply watching sales and cherry-picking the deals and steals each week can set you up for only needing a handful of things long before The List(s) even arrive, and at a fraction of the $600+/- expected spending per student.

Here’s a list of things we see at least once every July or August – and at a fraction of retail prices:

Pens and pencils of differing types, erasers, pencil sharpeners, folders, spiral notebooks of all sizes, three-ring binders, folder tabs, envelopes, tape, scissors, glue, report folders and sleeves, crayons, markers of various styles, book covers, paints, paper, including loose leaf, printer, and construction, pencil boxes and zippered pouches, rulers, compasses, protractors, and correction fluid.

In addition to the typical school supplies, watch for retailers to put other needed items on deals throughout July and August. You’ll find electronics like laptops and advanced calculators; deals to combine grocery spending and receive money off on backpacks and lunchboxes; and incentives for clothing. It’s also an optimum time for school lunch ingredients. Items include lunchmeat that can be frozen, condiments, pre-portioned snacks and cookies, crackers, and much more. When you shop each week, look for a few things you can stock up on to get a jump on bagged lunches.

Because clothing is usually the highest portion of spending for back to school, I want to end with encouraging you to start shopping now for school clothes. The next few weeks will be prime for snatching up bargains as stores are moving inventory out to prepare for back to school. If you’re up for going less expensive, but just as thread-worthy, start hitting the secondhand and consignment shops this week. Few people comb the racks this early, so selection should be good. Add to that the fact that people often clean out their closets in spring and early summer, and selection could be fantastic. If you can get several pieces that are classic and kid-approved at a fraction of new, you might actually have enough left for that one piece your young one can’t live without.