Back 2 School Expenses You Didn’t Think About

 With schools back in, a lot of parents have been buying supplies and clothes to prepare for the upcoming school year. However, pencils and glue sticks may not be as expensive as you think compared to these items. Here’s a list of school expenses that it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared for:

1.) School Pictures:

If you have multiple kids in school, this easily adds up to a nice amount of money. Although they have a basic package, purchasing two or three will certainly add up. Not to mention most schools have fall, spring, and class pictures taken. By the end of the year, you’ll be surprised how much you spent on pictures alone.

2.) Field Trips:

It’s free to sign for, but it’s not free for them to go. Field Trips are a fun interactive way for kids to experience what they’re learning about but it comes at a cost. Varying by location and gas spent, field trips end up costing parents significantly as well.

3.) Teacher Appreciation Day

I know it’s optional to participate and there’s even the option of getting creative making a free gift. Either way, buying gifts for your kid(s) teachers will be an expense even if you try to make it thrifty.

4.) Student Accounts 

Student accounts are accounts through the school that parents can put money into for school lunch costs or snacks the school offers to students. Most kids find themselves craving these advertising foods and asking for money for them. The school price isn’t always a great deal and some of these snacks are cheaper if you buy them at the grocery store.

5.) Lost Books 📚 

Lost books are the last items on my list because they add up quickly if you ever had your child misplace one. School libraries try to restock their shelves with the newest, most appealing books so it’s not surprising that losing just one book could cost you nearly $20, depending on its retail value. Just because e-books are booming with popularity, it doesn’t change that physical school books still remain on the pricey side.