Frugal Shopping Week

I LOVE back to school shopping. LOVE it. I know that many parents complain, but even when I had my children in public school, I LOVED shopping trips. Now, I thought some of the items were kinda crazy, but that was about it. I rarely spend much shopping back to school and it shocks me every time I read that the national average is $500-$700 per child on school shopping. I know that includes clothing, computers, tablets, backpacks, etc. However, I must say that I have never even come close to that amount. I have decided that parents just need to learn how to shop!


For example:
This week I got 42 notebooks, 7 bottles of glue, 6 boxes of crayons, 1 container of watercolor paint, 1 box of fat crayons, electric pencil sharpener, 4 notepads, 5 pens, year planner, 2 things of markers (thin and classic), and scotch tape all for roughly $51.

I will be heading to the stores this next week to get a LOT of notebooks for only a penny a piece. Filler paper (which we don't use in home school) is currently on sale for a penny if you purchase another item. There were deals for backpacks and pencils and pens.

So, I ask, if I can get ALL my actual school supplies (not including clothing) for two children for $75, why is the average $500?! I can completely understand the amount be higher for children who is in middle and high school. I just can't understand how over $400 is spent on clothing for a new school year! That also is on sale at the end of seasons. Shop ahead and leave it with tags on in a drawer. Shop smart parents!!