How to Survive Back to School Shopping

This article was written by Liliana De Jesus.

A new school year is (almost) upon us, giving way to the frenzy that is back-to-school shopping.

Backpacks, lunch boxes and pencils . . . oh my.

The start of the school year is fast approaching, while wallets are fast depleting.

Brash spending on supplies, clothes and all that falls under the umbrella of back-to-school shopping can certainly leave a parent wondering, “Where did all my money go?”

The decisions on which backpack, notebooks, pens, folders or protractor (the list goes on and on) to buy can induce a head-spinning, pass out in the aisle and take me home sensation when you’re just trying to get the best bang for your buck.

Sales and circulars can be a great help, but of little consolation, to parents who find themselves running from store to store for the best deals on all that comprises those coveted school supplies lists only to find that the item they traveled there for is out of stock.

With $8.5 billion spent on school supplies and clothing in August 2012, it’s strangely comforting to know I may not be the only one pondering my book sock and magic marker purchases and whether or not I could have gotten a better deal if I would have went to just one more store.

Getting wiser with each year of shopping and preparation, practical questions such as “Why can’t they use the same scissors and rulers they had last year?” and “Do they need new backpacks when I purchased the last ones in April?” supersede the desire to have a fresh batch of school supplies for the very first day.

Perhaps, years of this inaugural ritual for the start of the school year have left me jaded as what used to be a relished act has become utterly cumbersome and draining.

For all those feverishly finishing up your shopping, we can all take delight (or sorrow) in the fact this comes just once a year . . . and is almost over.