How much do you spend on back-to-school shopping?

[trekmom]

I don't have kids to buy for, but I do buy for my dk's. I'm thinking about going to Kmart and maybe Sears this week to see about putting some clothes on layaway-gotta check and see if Target is doing layaway also-I had heard they were but never checked it out.
Mostly I try to get my gk's a couple of outfits to start the year, along with shoes if needed and of course basic supplies for class. This year will be a challenge because I'm the only one working and even with layaway I can only do so much at a time. But I probably spend about $300-$500 combined for the 4 gk's.

[happymomof4]

I only included my daughter in high school. She needs a backpack and some supplies. She doesn't need any clothing this year. I buy clothing all year around.

I didn't included anything that I need to get for my daughter going to college. That is a whole other ballgame!!!

[WendyMichelle]

I hope this is the correct place 2 post this. Here in WV we have what is called a School Voucher. It is given away by the welfare dept 4 families that they think need help in buying school CLOTHING. The only thing that that can b purchased w this voucher is CLOTHING and nothing else. I am all 4 helping out families and things like that but some nerve people have! I was at WalMart the other day and my luck, got in line behind a lady who had 3 school children and she had clothing vouchers 2 use. I got 2 watching her and of all nerve she was buying clothing 4 herself!!! I did c a few packs of boys boxers and 4 packs of socks, the rest she was taking out of the buggy and telling her friend what she planned on wearing some of the items with and even the days!!!!!!! I politely left my buggy and went straight 2 customer service 2 get a Mgr. FINALLY, 1 came and I explained what I had just saw and his answer was...their was nothing that he could do about the situations w the school vouchers!!! I was HOT when I left the store. So sad..............

[motherof2]

Roberta sounds like you and I are a lot alike. I have 2 to buy for as well and the money I have spent so far is just for school supplies and not clothes. DS2 gets hand-me-downs from DS1 and I shop at Walmart and Goodwill sometimes for the older one. We also have to pay for the workbooks at the school that I did not include in the the survey and that is another $140. My boys start back next week so I think I have everything they need. I think I spent the most on backpacks and lunch boxes.

[Vrsherren]

My kid are all grown but I help with the grandkids. Our schools have been doing uniforms for a few years, and they aren't cheap! Dd#2 has 4 in school now, and that means 4 uniforms where the skirts, or pants are all the "handme down" correct color, but each school has their own shirt / top color. Did I mention all 4 are in different schools??
I really don't know how some families afford to do it!
We usually help buy 2 uniforms each kid and help with school supplies, ie; paper, pens pencils, etc.

With dd#2's wedding coming up, we will be very limited with funds this year.

Vivian