Parents, Are We Guilty of This? 5 Overrated Back-to-School Shopping Trends

Overrated Things About Back-to-School Shopping

I knew the day would come when I'd finally be out of school, but looking back, there were so many things that became part of the back-to-school ritual. Now I'm left wondering... were we all just a little extra?

Probably, and honestly, that's okay. But with prices continuing to rise, it seems like back-to-school shopping gets more expensive every year. Here are five things that might be a little overrated. If you haven't checked them off your list yet, you might be able to skip them or at least spend a little less this year.

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1. Buying a Brand-New Wardrobe

Don't get me wrong. I'm a woman, and I love clothes. I love having options, and when I was in school, I always wanted some fun outfits for the new school year. We had a dress code, so it was all about finding clothes that fit the rules while still showing off your personality.

But every year, it seems like stores convince us kids need an entirely new closet before the first day. New shoes, new jeans, new shirts, new everything.

Let's be honest, though. Most kids grow so quickly that some of those "first day outfits" only get worn a handful of times before they don't fit anymore. Or if you're anything like me, you'll somehow get a stain on your brand-new shirt before lunch on the first day.

Instead of replacing everything, a few new pieces mixed in with clothes they already love might be all they really need.

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2. The Fancy Backpack

A trendy backpack can be fun, but does it really have to be the most expensive one on the shelf?

Here in the Evansville area, our community does an amazing job making sure kids have what they need through free backpack giveaways and school supply drives. Those backpacks are made to last just as well as many of the expensive ones.

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Between sports bags, lunch boxes, water bottles, and school supplies, parents can spend a small fortune before school even starts. At the end of the day, the backpack is probably going to get tossed on the floor, dragged across the playground, or forgotten on the bus at least once.

Sometimes the $20 backpack does the exact same job as the designer one.

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3. Buying Every Supply on the List Before Day One

Walking into a store with that long school supply list can feel overwhelming. It almost feels like you need to buy everything before the first bell rings.

The truth is, some teachers don't need every item right away, and some even adjust their lists once school begins.

If you can't get everything before the first day, don't beat yourself up. Grab what you can, let your child get settled into class, and then see what they actually need after the first few days. You may end up saving yourself some money and avoid buying supplies that never leave the backpack.

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4. The "Perfect" First Day of School Outfit

The pressure to have the cutest first day outfit has gotten even bigger thanks to social media.

Don't get me wrong, it's exciting to see your friends again, and it's always nice to feel confident walking into a new school year. But don't feel like you have to buy all-new accessories or spend a fortune just to impress everyone.

You're there to learn, make memories, and catch up with friends, not walk the runway.

Besides, most kids are more focused on finding their classrooms and figuring out who is in their class than remembering what everyone else wore.

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5. Buying All the Latest Gadgets

New headphones, fancy calculators, smart devices, and the newest tech accessories can add up fast.

While some technology is definitely helpful for school, kids don't always need the newest version of everything. In many cases, the basics still get the job done just fine.

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What Do You Think?

Everyone has their own back-to-school traditions, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to make the start of a new school year feel special. But with costs climbing, it might be worth asking yourself if every item on the shopping list is really necessary.

What do you think is the most overrated part of back-to-school shopping? Is there something you always skip, or is there one thing you'll never stop buying?

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