Raleigh County, WV (WOAY) – Not that anyone is thinking about school just yet, we’re deep in the summer heat, but shopping stress is a real thing when it comes to the expense.
According to parents of K-12 and college-aged kids, back-to-school shopping is financially stressful on the household budget.
We found out how people are dealing with it.
“Everything’s a little more expensive right now, but I’m hoping things are starting to get on the right track and it will get better,” said Pipestem resident Ellen Pack, who added that her granddaughter goes to a Christian school, where they have to wear polo shirts, and the pair hasn’t been successful finding any.
This Ohio family of four says everything has gone up, calling it expensive and dealing with the price stress of sending their kids back to school.
“The cost of living is higher than I’ve ever seen it. And it makes me sound like an old man to say that,” said Sunbury, Ohio, resident Patrick Barry. “I just paid 317 a gallon for gas, and we packed our lunches today, so we’re trying to cut corners wherever we can.”
Shopping for school supplies hasn’t been on Cary, North Carolina resident Kathryn Devlin’s
radar yet, but she’s not concerned.
“I don’t expect them to be any more exorbitant than they have been in the last four and a half years,” Devlin said. “But what I have noticed traveling from North Carolina to Michigan is gas prices have significantly lowered from what they were before. And I’ve also noticed personally that my groceries are not as expensive.”
Kids returning to school in August 2025 should expect to spend $741 on average for books, clothing, and supplies. That’s $200 more than in 2024.
“I think prices have been going up a lot — notebooks, paper, and a lot of stuff,” said 14-year-old Ironton, Ohio, resident Carson Clutters
According to Clutters, scissors, tape, and glue.
“Clothing is getting way more expensive. I think jeans and boots have each gone up a lot. Boots are $160, and the jeans that I’m buying are like maybe $90 a pair. It’s crazy expensive.”
