I love the idea of back to school. Back to a routine, back to normal, and not having to hear on a daily basis, "What are we gonna do today?" But there are many things I dislike about this time of year.
First off, I know I shouldn't complain about the public education system where our kids attend school, as it is one of the top school districts in the nation. But, our pocketbook sure screams at the top of its lungs in protest. Really? Daughters registration today was more than our first car--well, almost. Her registration totaled $396, granted that included a yearbook and PSAT payment, alongside the rest of the required fees. Did I mention our first car cost $500? Youngest sons fees were $167. I'm glad we only have two kids in school. It really hurt when all three kids were in school.
Second, it's time to hit the back-to-school sales. Call me cheap, but if any school supplies can be salvaged from the previous year, it gets reused. What doesn't get reused seems to end up in our cabinet of art supplies. If I was really smart, I would pick through all those items, and could probably supply our entire block's back-to-school supplies. Maybe that's what I should do... Sell our own stuff at dirt rate prices, and make a little money in the process!
Third, back-to-school sales. They lure you into their stores with the advertisements in the Sunday paper. After all, you don't want your kid to look like a schlump on the first day of school. Buy their clothes, and your kids will look like they should be modeling for Gap Kids. In reality, youngest wakes up with his hair going every which way, and no matter how much water and goop I put on his hair, that last piece is determined to stick out the entire day. Back to those advertisements, those kids are in jeans. Our kids go back to school when it's still 100 degrees outside. I have to hold off on jean buying until the last possible minute. Son always manages to wear out the knees, or has a growth spurt. So, generally I avoid purchasing many clothes for back to school.
In addition to all their school expenses, I too will go back to school. This will be my second year back. I'm grateful hubby makes a decent living, but with that, I can't qualify for any help with school. Everything is out of pocket. I just hope, once my schooling is done, I'll be able to find a job!
So, faster than Lestat can drain a human, back-to-school has drained our pocketbook.
When life hands you lemons... Picture by CW
