Back-to-School Average Spending = $594.24
August 25th 2008 by Dr.MOZ in School 
The kids are on their way back to school and the polls are reporting what every parent already knows…August is an expensive month!
Here’s an early look at this year’s back-to-school spending numbers in the United States according to a National Retail Federation survey (8,361 reporting):
- School Clothing Spending: $234.51 in 2008 vs $231.80 in 2007
- School Shoe Spending: $109.75 in 2008 vs $108.42 in 2007
- School Supply Spending: $98.37 in 2008 vs $94.02 in 2007
- School Electronic Spending: $151.61 in 2008 vs $129.24 in 2007
How close did your family come to the $594.24 US average this year? Let me know if you have any back-to-school shopping tips or tricks to share with the other readers by clicking on the comments bubble above.
Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ
August 25th, 2008 at 9:13 am
i’m heading back to school and i wish that it would only cost me that much! haha but i’m in college
August 25th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I feel your pain Jersey! $594 will get you 2 books and a breakfast burrito in college these days.
~ Dr.MOZ
August 25th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I have advice for all the parents out there who are just like me:
Keep some money aside because these are not the only payments, you should expect much more.. so be ready!
August 26th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Thanks for the great advice Voice! I will keep that in mind. Be Ready!!!!
August 29th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Oh Man, prices are getting higher this year. I think people might need to spend more than $594.
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 am
Not only are parents facing the expense of standard supplies and clothes, but many schools are now requiring that the childrens’ parents provide things like copy paper, chalk, and other standard teaching supplies. It varies from state to state, but I think that all schools will eventually become this way, which is really quite sad. Also, be prepared for the fees or dues that some schools are now requiring at the beginning of year for field trips and events.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Its nice site.Actually i am searching for pregnancy clothes in mean while i found your site that was really amazing.And I think it is help full for parent who are facing the expense of cloths on their children.Thank you
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:13 am
School days bring lots of expenses to a parent that’s why parents must be wise on what are the things they are going to buy for their kids that are needed on their study.
November 28th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Indeed , education is getting really pricey these days $594.24 is already a bit on the low side. Then there are those club / organization fees and we have to pay the school cafeteria in the opening of the school year for our kid’s meal tickets ( so they don’t have to bring lunch to school)
To make matters worse these prices go up every year , I shudder to think how much these will be five to ten years down the road
December 16th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Well I don’t have a kid ( at least no yet ) but several of my cousins do and they constantly complain that the price of education gets higher each year, From the tuition fees to the price of school supplies.
I hope that this won’t come to a point that only the super rich can afford quality education for their kids.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
School cost are out of control and after all of this, the economy is going to mean that most of the state governments is not going to be able to come up with their part in funding a lot of programs they deem as “extra curricular” as well as some “core” things as well. I hope that this does not mean that my expense out of pocket this next school (August 2009) year will not go sky high.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:18 am
It’s no better in the UK. I have two boys. They go to a school where they need a huge range of uniform, including two of lots of things (such as indoor trainers and outdoor trainers). And they keep growing! I think that in this recession, schools need to consider very carefully how to keep costs down for struggling parents, and unnecessary bits of uniform would be a good place to start.
March 19th, 2009 at 2:54 am
Every year should be same song for every parents in the world. Back to school spending always higher and higher due to inflation. Should be wise if we have a budget for our family.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:50 am
Many schools are now requiring that the childrens’ parents provide things like copy paper, chalk, and other standard teaching supplies. It varies from state to state, but I think that all schools will eventually become this way, which is really quite sad. Also, be prepared for the fees or dues that some schools are now requiring at the beginning.