Back-to-school shopping isn’t a big deal for me. Why not? Because I don’t do it. Yes, I have a child. And yes, she’s in school. In fact, she’s 16 and starting the 11th grade this year. But I don't see the point of “back to school” shopping? In my opinion, it’s just another marketing ploy to get people (i.e. primarily mothers) to spend ungodly amounts of money on STUFF at a predetermined time of the year. I mean, think about it...
School just ended two months ago -- TWO months! What is so different in a span of two months that makes you want to go out and buy all new stuff?
Did li'l Johnny outgrow the clothes he was just wearing last week? Why does he need new(er) clothes to go to school? It’s still hot outside, so what are you gonna buy -- MORE summer clothes? Or are you going to send that baby to school in a long-sleeve shirt and sweater?
How about the shoes you just bought him last month? Did he wear them out already? Are they no longer good enough? Is he going to a place to learn or to a fashion show?
You’re probably saying, "But Single Ma, li'l Johnny needs school supplies too!" True. But where are all of those pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, binders, and filler paper you bought last year -- did he ever use them all? I bet not. Where are the left overs? In the closet? In the toy box? In the trash? Disappeared in thin air? Do you have any idea? They NEVER use all of that crap.
The book bag. Why does li'l Johnny need a new one every year? Unless the strap or zipper is broken, the book bag is still usable. All it does is hold books anyway.
The lunch box. Did the other one perish with last year’s food?
Now, don't get me wrong, I do realize that notebooks (I’m not talking about binders with filler paper) aren’t reusable and pens and pencils are lost, but the former are $2 to $3 each and the latter are 50 cents for a pack of 10. So what’s the point of all the other crap?
Why are families spending HUNDREDS of dollars on “back to school” shopping? Did you know retailers consider this time of year as one of the most profitable shopping seasons, only third in line after Christmas and Mother’s Day? I don’t get the hype, and I won't allow you to fall for it either.
5 comments so far...
However it isn't an all new wardrobe, I think she got one "character" notebook this year, the rest are whatever was the $.50 a piece version.
Other "I wants" become suggestions for the Christmas list.
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Mich on 23rd August 2010
When my kids reached high school, and wanted the new things because of social pressures, I was always very understanding... so long as they were buying these non-essentials themselves! Because when you have a perfectly good backpack in a closet in your room, and you want a new one because it's this year's colour or label or whatever? That's a luxury, honey, not an essential, and you can buy it with your own money. It's astonishing how quickly a "must-have" becomes a "non-essential" when they have to pay for it!
Flag as inappropriate Posted by MaryP on 27th August 2008
Flag as inappropriate Posted by blessedmom2sweetboys on 12th August 2008
Flag as inappropriate Posted by BK on 12th August 2008
I run a home based business on the side, so I always have supplies. My kids go shopping in my supply cart for the school year. I rarely have to buy more than a few items for them. Even when i do, it's normally something special on the teachers list. If I didn't have a business, I'd probably get most of what's on the list from the dollar store. Local convenience stores like Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid often have GREAT deals for supplies as well. Sometimes even better than the larger stores. It's definitely a good idea to check the ads.
Overall, there are so many things going on that we'll have to pay for at the beginning of a school year, I'd rather save when I can and where I can.
-Kelley
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Kells on 12th August 2008