WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | Boy, do those totals add up for back-to-school lists

Boy, do those totals add up for back-to-school lists

By Tanieya Lewis - bio | email

Posted by Lisa Strawbridge - email

TOLEDO (WTOL) - Jodi Glay is in the zone. "Two spiral notebooks, and you need a scientific calculator too."

It's her son Zack's day to get school supplies. He's the oldest of her three boys and will start Anthony Wayne Middle School soon.

The 7th-grade supply list has lots of items: loose leaf paper, pens, binders, and -- of course -- a scientific calculator. Plus, the family will have to supply some classroom needs such as two boxes of tissues. Glay said it's just the cost of supplying a good education. "I know budgets are being cut left and right for teachers. So, I'm like, if I can pay $2.75 I know might be supplied by the school normally, I'm not really opposed to it."

To make it easier, places like Target have lots of back to school bargains. There are note pads for 50 cents and markers for a little over a dollar. The boys even found a deal on the calculator. "We saved $3 because it was $12.99 when I looked last week. Today it's $9."

About a half hour and dozens of items later, the Glays head for the checkout. The costs quickly add up to about $100. That doesn't include the hundred bucks she spent on the other two boys Thursday.

Jodi Glay sums up the way many parents feel this time of year, "Back to school is not inexpensive."

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