Back-to-school spending to exceed $38 billion this year

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – This year’s back-to-school spending is expected to reach more than $38 billion. Recent research shows parents can expect to pay more for their child’s items than they have in past years.

A recent survey shows about 40% of families are having to skip some items on their student’s back-to-school shopping lists because of financial stress.

“We also found that parents are gonna be spending an average of $605 per child on new school clothing, supplies, and services,” said Corie Wagner, Senior Industry Analyst for Savings.com.

On top of the glue sticks, lunch boxes, and binders, going back to school can require other expenses like doctor’s appointments and haircuts.

“We found that those costs became higher the older the students were in the home,” continued Wagner.

This can make it hard for families to catch a break. The most expensive part? Clothes.

“Parents expect they’re going to spend an average of $231 per child on new clothes for back to school,” said Wagner.

Savings.com says as kids get older, their sizes aren’t the only things changing. They also start to develop a sense of style and experience peer pressure to follow trends.

But students aren’t the only ones needing a restock — most teachers carry the burden of stocking their own classrooms.

“Well the average teacher spends anywhere from $500 to $1,000 every year on school supplies,” said Thomas Morgan, spokesperson for the Michigan Education Association. “Things like books and pencils and notebooks as well as subscriptions to classroom technology.”

That money comes straight out of pocket, which can be a challenge for younger teachers or those with their own kids they need to supply.

“They continue to do it, out of their own pockets because of their commitment to their students,” said Morgan.

Morgan says the struggle to keep up with back-to-school shopping shows we need to reevaluate how the state funds our schools.

“Nothing is more important than the future of our students,” continued Morgan. “They are going to determine the very direction our entire state heads… so it’s important that we give them the resources and everything they need.”

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