Moms Talk: Back-To-School Shopping

It's time to grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation with this week's questions:

Today's topic:

The summer sun is still shining brightly upon us but back-to-school fever seems even hotter than the outside temperatures.
 
According to the latest U.S. Census, it is estimated that nearly 80 billion students are enrolled in schools from pre-school through college.
 
Retail statistics show the typical family with children from kindergarten through college will spend about $600 on back-to-school shopping, from clothing to supplies and electronics. Nearly half of families begin shopping up to a full month in advance to get the best deals.
 
So we want to know how you deal with back to school shopping.

The questions:

• When do you start?
• Do you set a budget and stick with it?
• How much authority do you allow your children in purchashing decisions?
• Are there certain name brand items you are willing to splurge on while purchasing the generic brain of others?
• What helpful hints do you have to share with others about to undertake this yearly task?

Now take a look at what our Moms Council has to say. Here they are:

Beth Blanck is a Brewster mom whose son is 2 and a half years old. She writes a weekly column called  for Southeast-Brewster Patch and she is the head of the council.

Noreen Mahoney is Brewster mother of two boys. Aside from being active in the community, Noreen teaches improv workshops.

Tracy Dunne-Derrell is a Brewster mother of one. She is a middle school teacher and she is currently fighting a battle familiar to many parents: trying to get her 4-year-old daughter to sleep!

Suzanne Perucci has lived in the area for 20 years. She works for The Pampered Chef and is the mother of two teenagers.

Click here to find out more about school supplies in Southeast and Brewster.

If you would like to join the council, or if you have a suggestion for a topic, email Ashley.Tarr@patch.com.