By Courtney Cole, WBZ-TV
BOSTON — Whether you have a child going back to school or heading off to college, one thing is for sure. When it comes to costs, buying the supplies students need can add up quickly.
And because of inflation, some parents are adjusting their shopping habits to make sure their kids have what they need.
Getting back-to-school supplies is something some parents now need to plan carefully.
Christina Turcios, a mother of two, said rewards programs and store coupons were helpful.
“I save a bit of money with this, but sometimes I tried to shop without branding,” Turcios said.
Mali Brodt said it also doesn’t hurt that her three daughters aren’t asking for as much as they usually do.
“We reuse some of the school supplies because they ask for the same things here year after year, some of them,” Brodt said.
Back-to-school expenses have increased significantly since the start of the COVID pandemic. According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in elementary through high school expect to spend an average of $864 on school items. That’s about $15 more than last year.
Total spending is expected to reach $11 billion.
“Just feeling the cost of living difference between Oklahoma and Massachusetts, it seems like most things are double what you’d expect,” said Michael Deutsch, who moved to Boston to follow. superior Studies.
Jeffery Bailey, divisional director of social services for the Salvation Army, said he could tell the difference between need and the past two years.
“Absolutely, the need is greater – and let me explain why. For the past couple of years the kids have been doing some form of homeschooling. Hybrid, some kids have gone part-time. But now it’s is the first year that all schools are open. expect all their children to come back. There is a much greater demand there. Resources are much more difficult, “said Bailey.
That’s why he said they were having a back-to-school celebration on Thursday with TD Garden and the City of Boston.
“We have about 4,000 backpacks that I’m going to give out,” Bailey said, noting that the backpacks will come with supplies inside.
“Every child should go to school feeling like their family has their backs, and parents want their kids to go to school without worry,” Bailey said.
The Salvation Army Back to School Celebration is scheduled for Thursday at 650 Dudley Street in Dorchester. Parents are asked to register, but anyone who needs help can also come.
