Parents feeling the pinch in back-to-school supplies

DICKSON CITY, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The excitement of a new school year may be in the air, but parents are feeling the pinch when it comes to shopping for supplies.

“I got a binder, two books, pencil case, pencils, and erasers,” Wilkes-Barre resident Alicia Ramoa.

Those are some of the typical supplies kids need to go back to school, and as families prepare for the new school year, many are noticing a difference at the checkout

According to a survey by Deloitte Insights, the average back-to-school spend per child this year is $586, just slightly down from $597 last year, but that slight drop doesn’t seem to be easing the burden on parents’ wallets.

“It was much higher than last year, I was surprised that we spent almost 200 dollars on things we spent like 120 last year, so yeah it was a little more expensive,” said Rod Guardioula from Scranton.

It’s not just about the essentials, the survey found that 85% of parents are influenced by their children when it comes to splurging on must-have back-to-school brands and products

“And you know the kids all want Nike socks, Nike bookbags, and you know, if you don’t do it, does your kid get picked on that year?” Scranton resident Lindsey Sampson asked.

Despite a slight dip in the overall back-to-school market spend, from $31,900,000,000 last year to $31,300,000,000 billion this year.

The cost of school supplies continues to climb, totaling $7,400,000,000 in 2024 compared to $7,300,000,000 in 2023.

“It’s insane. The prices have gone up on everything, like a tablet, last year, like, a three notebook tablet has gone up I feel like $1.50,” Sampson stated.

Plus, more money is spent when you add in the non-essential items, such as things teenagers might prefer over the usual folders and notebooks.

“More like makeup and stuff, clothes, less school supplies,” said Carbondale resident Amelia Melnyk.

Another study done by Finance Buzz showed Walmart had the cheapest back-to-school supplies and Michaels had the most expensive.

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