How Much The Average Treasure Valley Parent Is Spending On Back-To-School Shopping

I was just lamenting to my mom how sad I was each year to go back to school.

For some kids, it was a day of excitement. A day to be reunited with friends, show off their new haircuts & see how much cuter their crush got over summer break.

Despite the happy façade I put on for my first-day-of-second-grade photo op, I was not a happy camper.

For me, it just signaled the end of summer. And nothing could be sadder.

My mom’s response? And I quote…

I was happy!!!! So I wasn’t referee anymore except weekends!! Lol. Haha

Gee—thanks, Mom.

Fast forward 20 years & now I’m the one sending my kids to school.

And like many Treasure Valley parents, I’m learning it’s expensive.

Backpacks. Lunchboxes. Colored pencils. Shoes. Clothes.

That stuff’s not cheap! 

An annual study found the average parent is going to spend $498 on back-to-school shopping this year. 

That's up $20 from 2020 & a $70 increase from 2019.

We surveyed our Wild 101 family on Facebook & the results were mixed.

Some savvy parents are shipping their kids back to school with supplies that didn’t get used during the shortened school year in 2020.

Others are saving big-time by homeschooling.

However, some say they’d love to only have to spend $498—especially parents with 3+ kids & those who are active in sports and other extracurricular activities!

Regardless of how long your school shopping lists are as you prepare to ship your kids back to the classroom, we feel your pain!