Today is the last day of school for my children, however – it’s time to set our budget for the fall when it starts back again. One of the keys to making a budget successful is planning for it to take place! It’s hard to just jump right into it – you might need a few months to figure out what you will give up/decrease in order to add on some additional expenses.
I often hear parents say “I thought I was going to get a raise when my kid started public school.” Wow! Were they in for a shock. Your child starting school – public or private – only means that you are adding line items to the budget. In my 7 years experience, I’m quickly finding out that kids never get cheaper – the toys cost more, the clothes cost more … and now you need to plan for school!
I’ve taken a few days to think about all of the expenses that our family has associated with “school”. In looking back at our “spent” column this year, we spent approximately $90/month on school lunch (public school – 2 kids) and $100/month on “extras” not including after school care, birthday parties, and extracurricular activities. If you want to total everything – activities, care, parties, lunch, etc. – we spend $1,000/month for 2 kids.
So, with that said, here are some things to keep in mind when planning your budget:
School Lunch: Count the daily cost plus any extras that might be added on. (Additional milk, ice cream on Fridays, etc.)
Spirit Wear: Selling school-branded merchandise is a huge fundraiser for our PTA and is a necessity for kids/parents at several events through the year.
Fundraiser Items: Will you participate? Our family usually tries to buy at least one item from each sell. (That, of course, translates into one item from EACH child per sale!)
Yearbook: Make sure you buy each child their own yearbook. Does your school sell ads? Will you buy one for your child?
Supplies: Will you buy your own or does your PTA sell them as a kit? We buy the kit and it’s about $60/student. At certain points during the year, school supplies will need to be replenished. Prepare for that with extras if you see a good sale.
Gifts (Teacher): Although these aren’t expected, they are certainly appreciated. Usually your home room mom will keep you abreast of these occasions. Plan on purchasing your teacher a gift for his/her birthday (if it falls during the school year), Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Week, and Last Day of School. (Teacher Appreciation Week is huge in our school. It is voluntary, but kids bring a themed gift each day. We spent $70 per teacher on our gifts for that week.)
Parties: I’m not talking about classroom parties, I’m talking about the Birthday Party circuit. In the early grades, many parents opt to have parties where the entire class is invited. You, the guest, will be buying gifts for the honoree of each party! We go to about 10-12 birthday parties per year. (Not including the cost of hosting our own.)
School Pictures: Our school takes Fall pictures (these are used for the yearbook) and Spring pictures. You don’t “see” the pictures before you order, so it’s impossible to know if they will get the shot of a lifetime! I always hope for the best and buy the biggest package. (We have a lot of family!)
Projects: Although a lot of work is done at school, there is the occasional project that needs to be done at home. Hobby Lobby and Michaels will become a familiar place.
Before/After School Care: Of course, there is always the “what will happen before and after school” for working parents. In our case, going from full-time care to strictly after-school care was a savings of about 50%. You would think that it would be more, but that’s been our experience.
Activities: Once kids enter school, they usually become involved in extracurricular activities (if they aren’t already). I’m a firm and strong believer in finding the right one for your child and going with it. Every child needs to have an outlet – sports, arts, or otherwise. But, it’s all at a cost! I quizzed several parents and all of our children are involved in different things. At the end of the day, we’re paying between $100-125/month. (Even if the cost is lower, ask about “extras” – that can really bite you if you aren’t prepared.)
Can you think of anything else? I’d love for readers to leave a comment with your experiences, additional items, or how you save!
I have cemented my place as the meanest mommy in the world.
We don’t do fundraisers. Ever.
I also don’t buy school pictures. We use a photography chain that we’re very happy with. And for $10, I can get a load of pictures. I can’t even get an 8 x 10 from the school for that.
I buy school supplies for extra cheap at Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max when they have all the loss leaders. I probably spend $25 total for two kids.
And we only do close friends’ birthday parties. I buy toys on clearance all year round and store them for the occasion. And if I don’t have something that works in my gift box, we do a card and $10. 🙂
I’m with Kristin,
We don’t go to everyone’s b-day party, just close friends/relatives and BFF’s…with that said, I do still stock pile on great bargains throughout the year so that we can go to parties where we have a gift ready and waiting [depends on the stockpile]. As for lunches, I have a very picky eater and well I have to make her lunch so we save BIG time in that area. School supplies I have learned to buy for the next grade up so this year, I’m buying for 3rd grade, not second grade and so it gives me WAY more time to buy and get bargains throughout the year and not just the summer. Teacher gifts are usually homemade since I’ve been crafty in this area lately. Fundraisers are a no-go in our family. We give to the school by donating Box Tops and Capri-Suns as well as my time. Year books will be at each milestone [Kindergarten, 5th grade, 8th grade, Freshman, Senior].
Definitely not the meanest mom in the world! Every family is different … and believe me – I stockpile on the school supplies (I donate them) and buy during sales ahead of time for birthday parties. I figured that I would write a post later on ways that I cut costs. I was anxious to have readers – like you – share how we differ!
I had no idea Payton was a picky eater. There is only one school lunch my kids won’t touch – Sweet & Sour Chicken! All else they get seconds!
I have a lot of PTA guilt, so I stockpile school supplies and donate them in a drive that we do at church. Thank goodness they are light on the fundraisers, but if I was able to donate my time and energy (like you do) – I wouldn’t feel the need to do anything else!
Well, in this season of life, we’re pretty spread thin. When my kids were smaller, the birthday party circuit was maddening. 🙂 My oldest is a band nerd, and he’s also doing Academic Decathlon. Band gets a good sized chunk of change every year, between uniform cleaning, new shoe buying, instrument repair, bus fees, etc. My daughter is in choir, and will be moving up to middle school this year so she’ll have a whole other set of requirements. Plus, I spend a small fortune on her hair products, so there’s that, also! My toddler terrorist will be starting school in January (he has a speech delay, so ECI is going to try to get him in after his 3rd birthday), so there’s a third set of needs.
I guess we spent nearly $500 last year on the various stuff that my big kids needed for their extras. That softens my guilt about fundraisers!
You do what you can when you can, I guess would be my point. 🙂