Inflation Hitting Parents; Affecting back to School Shopping, Ep. 273

Capitalist Investor

1. Rising back-to-school costs:
Back-to-school spending has increased
significantly, from around $26 billion in 2019 to about $38 billion today, with the average cost per parent being around $850. This increase is attributed to inflation, which has been around 8% annually over the past five years.
2. Social pressure on students:
Due to the influence of social media, students feel more pressure to have the latest and most fashionable items, such as backpacks and clothes. This pressure has intensified compared to previous generations.
3. Additional expenses for parents: Beyond traditional school supplies, parents are facing additional costs such as smartphones for their children. These devices are seen as a necessity for safety and communication purposes.
4. Financial strain on schools:
Schools are also feeling the impact of inflation, with increased expenses for utilities, heating, and cooling. Some schools are asking parents to donate essential items like toilet paper, kleenex, and cleaning supplies.
5. Teacher expenses:
Teachers often spend their own money on classroom supplies, as the provided budget is typically only a couple hundred dollars. This adds to the financial burden on educators who are already facing challenges in their profession.
The hosts also touched on the topic of young couples delaying having children due to the perceived financial burden, and the general financial insecurity faced by many in their 20s and 30s.

Chapters

1. Covid increased expenses by 20-50%, especially school. (00:00:00)

2. Rising costs of kids' smartphone ownership discussed. (00:05:45)

3. Parents use Uber and Lyft for kids. (00:09:15)

4. Cost should never prevent having a child (00:11:01)