No free ride for students

Vacations are over, kids are almost back in school and it'll be Halloween before you know it, then Thanksgiving.

Wasn't it just graduation?

The end of summer is bittersweet, but a relief to some parents, especially those with younger children who have been underfoot since June, whining about nothing to do. Nobody wants to admit it, but schools serve as a great babysitter.

Complaining about back-to-school expenses has become a rite of August, and for good reason. According to the National Retail Federation, the average family with school-aged children will spend $594 on back-to-school purchases, up from $563 last year. Total back-to-school spending for kindergarten through 12th grade this year in the U.S. is estimated to reach $20.1 billion.

To save money, why not recycle some of last year's school supplies or take advantage of the current store sales. Remember the cardinal rule of shopping: Never pay retail.

"This year's back-to-school shopper is a bargain hunter at the core," said Phil Rist with the Retail Federation's Back to School Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey.

How about recycling that perfect-condition, three-ring binder from last year? Do all the pens, pencils and rulers have to be brand new? How many protractors should one family have to buy?

Many costs are unavoidable. Expect to pay an extra $250 to $500 in fees and equipment if you have a student on the football team or cheer squad. Want your child to join the band? Get ready to pay big time. In most high schools, ASB (student body) fees have increased dramatically. If your junior or senior drives a car, the parking fee will be hefty.

Public education isn't free. Once upon a time it was, but not anymore.

One word of advice: Some school programs—grad night was this way for a long time—hit you with a fee, but technically it's just a donation. You don't have to pay it if you feel strapped.

After the hand-wringing is over, remember: nothing's more valuable than your child's education. Think of your expenses as an investment in the future.