Technology is driving back-to-school shopping

Before emptying your wallet this fall on new devices like tablets and phones, do your homework

Back-to-school shopping lists look a bit different this year due to sweeping changes resulting from COVID-19 in the education systems across the provinces.

With potential reduced time in the classroom and more time learning online, the notable emphasis for fall of 2020 is on technology and not so much on clothes, physical notebooks and fancy backpacks. These latter items can all be purchased from local retailers, via thrift stores or safe community swaps.

In recent years, stats have revealed that over 50 per cent of what a Canadian family spends on back-to-school supplies is now spent on technology. That’s double what was spent on technologies five years ago. But this fall is expected to push that investment much higher with families spending closer to $800, from $500 previously; and it’s all driven by spending on technology and minor safety equipment like masks and gloves.

This is a big increase for families; especially for single parents and low-income

SCHOOL continued on B6

households. Here are the kinds of technologies families might consider spending money on (because they legit help with learning) and a few tips on how to save.

Technologies to consider buying for your school-aged kids Many schools are recommending that students have access to technologies like tablets, laptops, headphones, software, ebooks and apps.

And though phones are not typically allowed in the classroom, kids over 10 usually carry a mobile phone now so that they can keep in touch with their parents; makes sense given the safety concerns the pandemic has imposed in the classroom.

Before you buy, get a clear understanding from your child’s school of the type of work the school will assign, then select the appropriate technology. Must the work be conducted on a paid app? Or can a free service be used? Can your kids share a family computer and tablet rather than buying individual devices for each child?

Also, you know your child. You know what helps them focus and what distracts them from their homework. There may be other technologies, or workstation setup equipment, you need to consider adding to the shopping list.

The best ways to afford these technologies Buying brand new technologies isn’t always the answer, nor does it fit the budget of many households who are already feeling super strapped with the slow Canadian economy.

Start with a budget and then focus your spending on the top priorities.

Inventory what you already have in the home.

Though your old laptop may have been collecting dust for a year, could you boot it back up and get your child using it?o you have a junk drawer with old headphones lurking near the back? Lay all this stuff out on your kitchen table and test it to see if it’s working.

This is also where it probably makes sense to ask extended family if they can do the same thing and have them give, or lend, what they don’t need anymore. Reusing what you already have has environmental benefits, too.

One of my personal favourite ways to save is through secondhand sites — like Facebook Marketplace, eBay or Kijiji — or through a local swap site.

This works both ways by getting rid of what you don’t need (to raise money) and obtaining what you do need (at a discount).

I’ve bought multiple computers this way and sold phones, tablets and the like.

Spread out your purchases.

There are much better times in the year to buy technologies than right now: Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day are examples.

So take a look at your child’s learning syllabus and figure out which technologies they will need when. Then plan some of shopping closer to those dates. This should take the pinch out of your August cash flow.

If you’re buying new, do your research online to see who’s offering the best prices for backto-school technologies. This is your opportunity to see if you can support a local business vs. a big-box store. Some retailers offer coupons or buy-one-getone deals that can make a huge difference in cost.

My best advice is that if the technology is not absolutely necessary, hold off. The schools are figuring out how to do this digital learning thing, too.

And their recommendations may change depending on how the school year shapes up.

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE This fall, Canadian families are expected to spend nearly $800 on school supplies — up from about $500 previously — largely driven by technology.