Comments on: Back to school…EXPENSIVE

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:40:13 +0000

I had to laugh when I read this. My somewhat digitally challenged neighbor came over to ask me what a “GB Flashdrive” was. It turns out that was on her list of required supplies for her third grade son.

For me, living here in the affluent Chicago suburbs (we definitely don’t fit the definition of affluent!), homeschooling is WAY less than sending my kids to the local public schools. The cost of supplies (and in some cases, even textbooks), clothing that won’t get your kids laughed at, “activity fees”, extra gym shoes to keep at school, etc., far exceeds what I spend annually for our homeschool.

By: Dana

Dana — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:44:32 +0000

That only works if I’d be working, though. But I think we may actually save on that having the kids home. My three year old keeps turning the thermostat off because she loves playing with it. I notice when I start sweating and check the thermostat to find that it is 87.

I’m sure it is generally more expensive to keep your kids home. But it isn’t as expensive (or at least doesn’t have to be) as some make it out.

By: JJ Ross

JJ Ross — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:04:50 +0000

Don’t overlook the obvious though — in an extreme climate like ours, utility costs when family members are “home” round the clock are much higher. The thermostat when I was working, pre-children, got bumped up every morning by ten degrees and we often weren’t home until after dark to cool things down for the night.

At today’s rates I estimate more cooling alone is costing us that article’s ps-supply equivalent of $600 ($50 month.)

By: T. F. Stern

T. F. Stern — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:36:37 +0000

My oldest daughter wanted a career change and has gone back to college for an engineering degree. The cost of books is outrageous considering the basic information hasn’t changed; but each year a brand new text book has to replace an outdated one. I thought physics, chemistry and calculus were pretty much set laws of science and math which really didn’t need to be overhauled every year; but what do I know…

The idea about taking advantage of school supplies on sale this time of year is a good one. My wife buys all our business supplies after having gone over the ad sheets; saves us a small fortune each year. As for being “fashionable” and spending money for a new wardrobe; there are some good deals on basic clothing. Every other year I’ll replace my stock of blue jeans or other basics like socks and shirts; but being “stylish”, as Harry Calahan would say, guess that just was never important to me. Spending money wisely is an art which many folks don’t bother to learn the finer points.

By: CircleReader

CircleReader — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:40:21 +0000

Heh - library fines and paint…

Welcome back to schoool!

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:38:53 +0000

Thanks! I actually did read that and it was sad and funny at the same time. Unfortunately, it had a touch too much truth to it. Good thing children don’t really normally have that kind of perspective on their own schooling.

By: Anna-Marie

Anna-Marie — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:52:21 +0000

Here’s a back to school article that made me laugh…and cry. It’s sad but true:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/6_year_old_stares_down_bottomless
Didn’t know if you had seen it or not but knew you’d appreciate it.

Hope you are feeling well. I think of you often.

Anna-Marie

By: Rusty

Rusty — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:14:08 +0000

Office supply stores (and even the Walmarts) have back to school specials on actual school supplies which, if played smart, can yield great deals.

Judging from the ads on TV, it seems that a major part of going back to school means getting a new wardrobe. Even Sears has an ad campaign titled, “Don’t just go back - ARRIVE”.

http://www.arrivelounge.com/#/home

Maybe we’ll go check out the “half-off” sales at one of the local thrift stores…

By: Dana

Dana — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:47:07 +0000

Shawna, homeschooling can be expensive, and I always think that people should consider all aspects before making a decision. But at the same time, there are a lot of expenses that even you mentioned that are easier to cut back on if you have to.

When my husband was traveling 120 miles one way to work and gas was hitting four dollars a gallon, for example, the field trips stopped. But I still would have had to buy them clothes for school rather than wait until we had saved a little.

Almost everything I buy, I would have bought even if our kids were in school. And we are saved by the fact that they are unaware of the current trends, couldn’t care less if their backpack has Hannah Montana on it, etc.

By: Crimson Wife

Crimson Wife — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:35:13 +0000

I’m pretty sure the back-to-school figure includes things like shoes, a winter coat (where needed), and so on. Those items can really start to add up if purchased new. Homeschoolers obviously need to get these things too but we tend to spread out those purchases over the year rather than concentrating them all in August or September.