How much is back to school costing you this year?
Summary
Host Jenny Howe and guest Stacy Yanchechuk, CEO of Money Mentors, discuss the rising costs of back-to-school supplies in Alberta. They address financial pressures from electronics and social trends, offering strategies like budgeting, buying secondhand, and teaching children about value. Listeners share tips on bulk purchasing and reusing items to manage expenses.
Topics discussed
Intro: Rising back-to-school costs and listener call-in
Guest intro: Stacey Yancheuk on money values and trends
Discussion on electronics, calculators, and activity fees
Parental pressure, FOMO, and the psychology of spending
Teaching kids financial responsibility and co-payment
Caller Melissa: Necessity of computers and laptops
Creative strategies: Sharing devices and borrowing
Resources: Credit counseling, Reuse Edmonton, and donations
Stacey's tips: Budgeting, price matching, and ownership
Environmental values and reducing waste in shopping
Financial difficulty, shame, and value-based decision making
Listener emails: Corporate donations and used laptop options
CBC News Update: Nepal floods, UK shooting, Prince Harry
Survey data and Calgary mom's saving strategies
Planning ahead: Savings accounts and avoiding credit cards
Listener advice: Pacing purchases and needs vs. wants
Caller Robin: Schools buying supplies in bulk
Emails on calculator costs and talking to kids about money
Teacher perspective: Out-of-pocket expenses and burnout
Money shame, self-worth, and financial education gaps
Caller Paul: Government provision of school supplies
Caller Andy: Long-term shopping habits and logical consequences
Caller Glenn: Practical tips on reusing and supplementing supplies
Final thoughts: Teacher needs, panic buying, and sign-off
Listen ad-free on Castria