ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Families are planning to spend almost $864 on back-to-school clothes and supplies this year, according to the National Retail Federation.
While that’s just $6 more than last year, that money will buy far less. The Groundwork Collaborative and Century Foundation crunched the numbers and found the price families pay to prepare students for the classroom has surged 11%.
Colored pencils cost 5.7% more than last year. Number 2 pencils cost 6.1% more, and one-subject notebooks are 23% higher than last year.
“So many families have such little financial margin for error. They’re living paycheck to paycheck. They’re on a tight budget, so that sort of money really matters,” Matt said.
The median household income in Rochester is $47,213. Spending $864 on back-to-school is almost 22% of monthly income.
Matt says going into debt over back-to-school shopping isn’t a good idea either.
“That money that you’re using to pay down that debt over a few months is money that can’t be used to building your emergency fund or paying down other credit card debt,” Matt said.
He says instead, set a budget and share that budget with your kids.
“By keeping them involved, it makes it to where you’re kind of compromising and having this conversation rather than just putting the hammer down and saying no kid you’re not getting this you’re going to have to settle for this,” Matt said.
News10NBC’s The Big Give
With school supply costs on the rise, News10NBC’s next Big Give will help cut that cost for kids in need.
On August 21, News10NBC will be back at ESL Ballpark, this time collecting school supplies to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester.
READ MORE: Read about News10NBC’s Big Give efforts
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Rochester Prep hosts first back-to-school bash, giving free backpacks and books to more than 450 new students Rochester’s After School in the Park program is growing, and enrollment is now open for kids ages 6 to 11 Consumer Alert: Sticking to financial resolutions Hochul: More than 300 million free school meals given out statewide during 2025-26 school yearConsumer Alert: Back-to-school shopping will cost more this year — here’s how much prices have gone up WHEC.com.
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