Back to School Shopping...OUCH!!!

Holy cow!!!  When did school supplies get so expensive?!?

A few days ago, I finally took my three girls shopping for their school supplies.

We went to Office Max, because my youngest daughter had seen a backpack there that she really liked.

At first I was really excited, because the backpacks were marked down - 50% off!!! Awesome!

My middle daughter found some cool notebooks that were also marked down. Fabulous!

Then my girls pulled out their school supplies list...

Slowly, the cart started filling up...  Binders, folders, notebooks, copy paper, post it pads, pens, Sharpies, dry erase markers, note cards, disinfectant wipes...

By the time we reached the cash register, the cart was overflowing with school supplies.

Finally, the moment of truth... The total damage... What?!? How did it reach triple digits?!? OUCH!!!

I seriously don't remember spending this much last year or in previous years.

Am I just more painfully aware of this now because I'm currently underemployed and on a budget?

Last weekend, when we went to mass downtown at Holy Name Cathedral, we passed by a couple seated on the sidewalk. In front of them were two large coolers, filled with bottles of water.

"Ice cold water, anyone?" they asked. "We're trying to raise money to buy our kids' school supplies."

I totally understand why they had to do that. 

Most people only make enough money for the basics like food, rent, utilities.  Things like new clothes for school and school supplies are extra expenses that just don't fit in the budget.

There are so many things we take for granted, while others are desperately trying to provide for themselves and their families.

We should be grateful.  That's the first thing.  Let's really appreciate all that we have. 

Next, let's take stock of what we can do for others.

Even if we're not wealthy, we can help...

Let's donate school supplies in those back-to-school supplies bins for needy children.

Let's donate to organizations that work with schools and help provide school supplies like Kids in Need Foundation, Operation Homefront, and Salvation Army.

Let's donate school supplies to teachers, too! They spend so much of their own money all throughout the year to provide great learning experiences for their classes. Yes, they ask for all those school supplies at the beginning of the school year, but they also buy lots more throughout the year. (Believe me, I know!)

If we are able to, why not help?!

And even if we can only offer a little bit, that's something!

"It's not how much we give,
but how much love
we put into giving."

               - Mother Teresa

Life is short; as long as we are able to and as much as we can, let's help others!