Schools

Back-to-School Bill for Rancho Bernardo Parents: $627

Families were expected to spend less than last year for back-to-school, but all of the clothes, shoes and pencils can add up.

While Poway Unified children were groaning about going back to class on Wednesday, their parents were probably grumbling, too—about their back-to-school bills.

The National Retail Federation estimated families would be spending about $635 on clothes, shoes, school supplies and electronics this year, less than last year but no small sum for many struggling with unemployment and reduced wages.

“The good news is that consumers are spending, but they are doing so with cost and practicality in mind," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "Having splurged on their growing children’s needs last year, parents will ask their kids to reuse what they can for the upcoming school season.”

The good news for Rancho Bernardo parents in all of this is that families in the west were expected to spend less on shoes and supplies than families in all other regions, and about $8 less than the average for everything. Overall, families in the northeast were expected to spend the most ($719.26) and families in the midwest, the least ($610.18).

Average Spending 

  • Clothes/Accessories: $230.85 (West: $224.94)
  • Shoes: $114.39 (West: $110.07)
  • School Supplies: $90.49 (West: $85.54)
  • Electronics: $199.05 (West: $206.28)
  • Total: $634.78 (West: $626.83)
Tell us: How do these estimates stack up against your back-to-school spending?


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