The 2017-2018 Guide to Hidden Costs of the School Year

By Giggle Magazine

By Nicole Irving

It is that time of year again, folks. School is in session and it is time to begin the long financial journey of getting these kiddos through another year of school. Beyond the clothes and books, there are many arenas that will be emptying that wallet. So, we wanted to ease you into it as slowly as we could and get you prepared! We have made a list of the common costs associated with the school year and the average amount of money you may spend for each one. Good luck!

ACT examโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ..ย ย  $46โ€“$62.50

Afterschool care expenses: daily, weekly, monthly…………ย ย  $25โ€“$500

AP/SAT/ACT review booksโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ.ย ย  $10โ€“$30 each

Book fairs………………………………………………………………….ย ย ย  $10 and up

Class birthday party supplies……………………………………….ย ย ย  $10โ€“$40

Class holiday party supplies…………………………………………ย ย  $10โ€“$25

Class rings …………………………………………………………………ย ย  $200โ€“$500

Club participation fees/dues/supplies โ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ….ย ย  $5โ€“$75

College applicationsโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆย ย ย ย  $30 each and up

Costumes for plays……………………………………………………..ย ย  $10โ€“$50

Field trips (possibly three to four per year)…………………….ย  $10 and up

Grad Bash at Universal Studios Orlando………………………… $75 per ticket

Laptopโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ…ย  $200โ€“$1500

Letterman jacketโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆย  $200 and up

Locker adornmentโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ.ย  $10

Mid-year school supply replenishment…………………………..ย  $5โ€“$40

Musical instrument rental (recorders/ukulele)……………….. $7โ€“$30

Prom/Homecoming attire, dinner, transportation ………….. $100โ€“$1,000

PTA dues…………………………………………………………………….ย  $5 and up

Safety patrol expenses (belt/Washington D.C. trip)……………………………..ย ย  $5โ€“$1,000

SAT exam …………………………………………………………………..ย  $46โ€“$60

SAT II examsโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ..ย  $26 and up

School carnivals/car washes…………………………………………. $5โ€“$25

School fundraisers……………………………………………………….ย  $10 and up

School lunches (to buy at school)โ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ ย $3 each, on average

School photo packages…………………………………………………ย  $20โ€“$200

School spirit attireโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ..โ€ฆ $20 and up

School suppliesโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ.โ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ $25โ€“$200

School T-shirts…………………………………………………………….ย  $5 and up

Science fair project materialsโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆย  $10โ€“$30

Senior class trip ………………………………………………………….ย  $500 and up

Senior photo packages ………………………………………………..ย  $5โ€“$500

Sporting events โ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ..ย ย ย  $5 and up

Sports equipment โ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ.ย ย ย  $50 and up

Sports physical……………………………………………………………ย ย  $25

Teacher appreciation/end-of-the-year gifts..โ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆย ย  $5โ€“$30

Teacher holiday gifts…………………………………………………..ย ย  $15ยญโ€“$50

Valentineโ€™s gifts for friendsโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ.. $10โ€“$25

Yearbook…………………………………………………………………….ย  $20โ€“$100