Buying School Supply Kits Are Convenient but Not Cost Effective

Our elementary school offers parents the option of buying a school supply kit for each grade. I bought a school supply kit the first year my kids were in school but opted to buy their school supplies on my own for the next two years.

Disadvantages of Buying a School Supply Kit

Our school supply kit did not include everything. We still needed to purchase a yoga mat, assignment pads, paint shirts, and calculators.

We have to pick up our kits on a Sunday in August. If that time is not convenient then we would have to make other arrangements. This is not unreasonable in the least but the time is just not convenient for our family.

Even thought the supplies in the kit were name brand I still had to replace folders after the first month of school. My boys can be a little rough on things and normal heavy paper folders do not last. I bought plastic folders that are still good and will be reused for the upcoming school year.

The kids also didn't get to pick out the color of their folders, pencil cases, art boxes, and notebooks. This took some of the fun out of school because nothing was personalized with their own sense of style or preference.

Advantages of Buying a School Supply Kit

Our school donates the proceeds from the purchase of the kits to Relay for Life. I like the idea that I was donating at the same time I was shopping.

Another advantage of buying a school supply kit is that you will purchase exactly what you need. You won't get any more or any less. This may cut down on clutter from bulk buying school supplies.

Also, all the products in the kit are name brand: Crayola, Elmer's, etc. Make sure you check the brands that your school is using to make an exact comparison.

Cost Comparison of School Supply Kits vs. Buying School Supplies on Your Own

The price for each grade level's school supply kit is different and this was reassuring to me that the prices were fair and based on the individual grade's preference.

The cost for both my kids' supply kits was $57.50. I spent $32.47 this year for my kids' school supplies at a local discount store. The only reason I got away with spending so little was because I reused supplies from last year such as scissors, folders, pencil cases, and supply boxes.

I was also able to find a few additional bargains. My kids needed a total of 10 glue sticks between the two of them. I found two dozen glue sticks for $1.99 last year. I was able to stretch those two dollars over two years.

Convenience of School Supply Kits vs. Buying School Supplies on Your Own

The letter for the supply kits boasts, "Your grade-level required supplies will be packed in one neat package. No running from store to store, fighting the crowds or scanning the ads for the best prices because we already have done all the work for you!"

There is no doubt that buying a school supply kit will save you time and is incredibly convenient. All you have to do is write a check, pick up the supplies, take them home, and label them. I don't spend a lot of time shopping for school supplies. I normally get most of our school supplies at a discount store that I go to once a week anyways.

I might be a little strange but I have always enjoyed school supply shopping. I loved it when I was a kid and enjoy helping my kids pick out their items. Buying the school supply kit was not cost effective and it took some of the fun out of back-to-school.