The kids are back at school bringing with them lots of supplies:  pencils, folders, calculators, backpacks, shoes, clothes, etc.  Sales and coupons are nice, but it only helps so much at back to school time.

Before the next credit card statement arrives take our anonymous poll...

How much did you spend on back to school shopping?

We are lucky so far at my house as far as back to school costs go.  We only have one child in school full time and she has an early September birthday.  Any clothes she gets as a gift serves double purpose as back to school wear.

Some back to school costs are more necessary than others, but even those unnecessary costs can help a child to be prepared and gain confidence.