How this calculator works
The calculator groups typical back to school purchases into clothing, electronics, shoes, school supplies and a catch-all category. You can enter one figure per group or itemise the common purchases, and the group totals are the same either way. Adding the groups gives the total, and subtracting it from the budget shows what is left. The share column shows where the money goes, which is the quickest way to spot the category that is pushing the total over the limit.
Formula
category total = sum of its items. grand total = sum of the five category totals. budget left = budget - grand total. share of the total = category total / grand total.
Worked example
A budget of $500 with $150 for clothing, $120 for electronics, $90 for shoes, $70 for supplies and $40 for extras comes to $470, leaving $30. Clothing is 31.9 percent of the total, electronics 25.5 percent and shoes 19.1 percent.
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Frequently asked questions
What counts as a school supply?
Notebooks, binders, pens, pencils, highlighters, a calculator and a backpack are the usual core list. Schools in Canada often publish a class supply list in the summer, and it is the best starting point for the itemised side of the form.
Should I include a new laptop or phone?
Include only what you intend to buy this year. Replacing a device that still works is a larger decision than a seasonal budget, and putting it in the same list can hide how much of the total it is.
How accurate are the default figures?
They are placeholders chosen to show how the form works. Prices vary widely by province, retailer and size, so replace them with your own quotes before relying on the total.
Can I plan for more than one child?
Yes. Run the calculator once per child and add the totals, or enter the combined amounts for the household if you only need a single budget check.