I'm thinking ahead. I know that yearbooks, school pictures, and class dues are all going to be coming up once school starts. Since we have been here one year, I know how this school works. The first year at a new school is like going in blind.
Here's what I'm aware of right now:
Class dues $35 (prom primarily, which my daughter won't even attend)
Yearbook $68 (goes up as the year progresses)
School Pictures $40 (not sure exactly, as packages vary)
We don't expect any other expenses from the school, but of course, that doesn't mean there won't be any.
If I ran a school, I might actually provide parents a list of possible expenses. Indicating which are required and which are completely optional. Many are optional.
We stopped at Staples last night and bought two new binders and two sturdy folders. The total was $19+, but I had gift cards so out of pocket cost was zero. I think Staples is VERY expensive compared to the discount stores. Binders shouldn't cost nearly $9 in my opinion.
Are you aware of what expenses you may have coming up from your child's school?
Start of School Costs
August 18th, 2016 at 12:57 pm
August 18th, 2016 at 01:54 pm 1471524888
I know you have a college daughter. Do you get a lot of Misc. "fees" on that too? Or is it just tuition/room and board/ and books.
August 18th, 2016 at 02:01 pm 1471525313
College doesn't seem to me to to have as many random fees. The unknown each semester is books and supplies. Some classes add fees, but those are on the tuition bill each semester. It feels much more controlled. We give our daughter about $100 a month to get anything she needs for living, but her needs are low. The allowance makes it easier on us for budgeting.
August 18th, 2016 at 03:33 pm 1471530788
Extra school expenses beyond tuition - yearbook $40, donation to their fundraiser (jogathon) - $10, basketball $200, $15 to buy a book or two at the book fair at school so that she's not the only kid who doesn't get books when they're handing them out later
Soccer (not a school activity) is where I really track expenses - parking at the fields where they play their games $50 twice a year, additional uniforms about $40 (shorts were too small), tournament fees $35 twice a year, new cleats $35, indoor cleats $35, indoor soccer registration $50, select soccer registration $350 = $680 to play soccer each year! It less expensive than other activities (I'm thinking piano) and she loves it so I don't mind. I put aside money each month for soccer.
August 18th, 2016 at 06:17 pm 1471540640
August 18th, 2016 at 06:54 pm 1471542854
After that, expenses were very minimal last year. School pics were $29. Yearbook was $10, I think. There were about three field trips at $5 each, and a couple calls for donations of $5 or $10. Elementary school is cheap!!
August 18th, 2016 at 09:15 pm 1471551316
August 18th, 2016 at 09:37 pm 1471552672
6th grader is starting a new school and I do not know. I wouldn't be surprised if the school supply/field trip thing was handled similarly (no requests for reimbursements at all maybe). But I don't know yet. I think there will be a lot more potential for optional expenses like music lessons and tickets to concerts and theater events. I don't know how any of that works. I know the music lessons are cheap to the public but I don't know if they are free to students or if the school can provide instruments. I don't know if we have to pay to see every performance our thespian is in. I do know we will save a bajillion dollars in private lessons so we can deal with however it works. Oh, and maybe they will have better photographers?
August 18th, 2016 at 09:40 pm 1471552843
August 18th, 2016 at 10:20 pm 1471555227
Our school pictures have never been that bad. I get that they are optional, but they are the most professional pictures we ever have taken, so I go with it. And the grandparents like to have a copy!