Parents Talk: Stocking Up on School Supplies

It's August, and the back-to-school shopping promotions—commercials that your student likely dreads—are already appearing in department stores and on TV.

For many families, back-to-school season is defined by stacks of new notebooks, those expensive-yet-necessary graphing calculators and a closet full of new outfits for quickly-growing kids.

It goes without saying, then, that back-to-school shopping can be an expensive undertaking. The average family of four plans to spend roughly $800 during back-to-school shopping, according to the July 2011 American Express Spending and Saving Tracker.

Patch wants to know: How do you save money when it comes to back-to-school shopping? Are there areas or spending that you skimp on, or cut out entirely? What websites or other resources do you use to cut back? How do you work with your kids to set spending limits?

Our Parents Council members—, , and —are ready to share their experiences and suggestions for back-to-school shopping, and encourage you to jump in with your ideas.

Post your thoughts in the comments section below. Also, if you’re a mom or dad and live in the area and are interested in joining our Parents Council to help guide our weekly discussion topics, email Editor David Henke at david.henke@patch.com.