Back To School Expenses Exceed $3,000 Again

[jeffrey]

According to a new Back-to-School Survey from Myvesta, a nonprofit consumer education organization, Americans will spend $3,164 on back-to-school expenses this year. While it may seem like a lot, it's $225 less than people spent last year. According to the survey, 53% will spend more that $1000 on their back-to school expenses while 47% plan to spend less than $1,000.

“Back-to-school is the most expensive time of year for many American families; more costly than summer vacations and holiday shopping combined,” said Steve Rhode, president of Myvesta. “Most families don’t have extra cash this year to splurge on the latest and greatest back-to-school gadgets, clothing or dorm room decorations and when they are spending they are looking to get the most for their dollar.”

According to the survey, people will be spending the following amounts in these 7 categories this year:




Electronics: $281 - Including computers, printers, software, calculators, cell phones, etc.

Dorm Room Supplies: $98 - Including bedding, towels, toiletries, refrigerators, cooking supplies, etc.

Clothing: $374 - Including coats, shoes, uniforms, backpacks, accessories, etc.

Desk Supplies: $146 Including pens, pencils, notebooks, books, reference materials, etc.

Fees: $1,852 Including application fees, tuition, health assessments, deposits, etc.

Transportation: $462 - Including Air, bus and rail travel, car purchase, subway passes, etc.

Sporting/Extracurricular Activities: $141 Including equipment, jerseys, uniforms, coaching fees, etc.

Total for Back-to-School: $3,164 - The average of all responses


The one category where spending significantly increased from the previous year was fees, where the average American plans to spend 21.4 percent more than they did last year.

“The one place where families cannot spend less on their back-to-school spending is fees, which we are seeing rise every year,” Rhode said. “Colleges are raising tuition just about every year and more and more school districts are passing increased costs on to the parents. In just about every other category people are showing that they are trying to cut back and save where they can.”

Some other results from the survey include:

- 56.8% of Americans plan to spend money on back-to-school expenses.

- Males plan to spend over $1,000 more than females on back to school expenses. Males plan to spend $3,780 while females plan to spend $2,634.

- People living in the Northeast plan to spend the most on back-to-school with an average of $3,291. Midwest residents plan to spend $3,230. Those in the West plan to spend $3,157 and people in the South plan to spend $3,058.

- People aged 18-24 plan to spend $5,368 on their back-to-school expenses. Those in the 25-34 age bracket average $2,897; people 35-44 average $2,173; people 45-54 average $3,499; people 55-64 average $2,777 and those aged 65 and older plan to spend an average of $2,704.

[Bluezy]

At the age of 18 months, CJ's back to school expenses totaled over $250! Unbelievable! I was handed a list of supplies that each toddler was to contribute to the class. I know for a fact that many of the mother's cannot afford such expenses...and what is a parent to do?

Thank God for UPromise and other college savings plans to help towards these expenses.

[PrincessPerky]

and that would be one of the many reasons I home educate .

[cercis]

Jeez, private school for both kids isn't much more than this. And we didn't have to provide any school supplies.

[mom-from-missouri]

Same here! All 3 of mine are in private school-I spent under $100 on supplies. Plus, each got a new uniform. Our school just changed to the ones Walmart carries--they are $16.95 each at the store, or, I have gotten several on ebay-a couple for as low as 99 cents--including a couple that should fit daughter #2 next year-so, its already covered. Nice thing about a uniform--the kids can wear the same one daily--no one to tease them!!

[cercis]

I didn't buy any new clothes for the kids. They're 5 & 7 and we live in a "poor" area, most of the kids wear almost exactly the same clothes my kids do.

The whole year of tuition is less than $5000. No supplies required (we will have to do a fundraiser).