Back-to-School Shopping: Early Bird or Procrastinator?

Even for those who mourn each coming September, there can be joy in assembling back-to-school supplies. 

Bright yellow pencils. Sixty-four perfect Crayolas, nestled in neat, colorful rows. Crisp folders blissfully unaware of the mangled mess they will soon become.

But then reality hits. The cost. The time. The worry that if you don't do it early, they'll be nothing left. 

We took some time on Friday to chat with local residents about how their back-to-school shopping was going this year.

Here's what reporter Elizabeth Meaney found:

Hyacinth Minns, mother of two, ages 6 and 14

Works at Miller's in Mamaroneck

"I will shop early simply because right now there are sales, like Staples has sales right now. When you shop last minute, it's a disaster. I did last minute last year, and there were lines out the door."

Pam Ruthazer, mother of two daughters, 4 and 7

Mamaroneck resident

"I say I'd like to try to shop early, but I might end up last minute. Things happen, times passes and don't you don't even realize it's time!"

Lissette Robalino, mother of one son, Jason, 3

Mamaroneck resident

"I will put it off to the last minute. It's in my budget—school supplies are budgeted for August. So I will shop for them in August."

Sally Maca, mother of three children, ages 10, 13, and 15

Larchmont resident

"I'll shop at the end of August, because then I'll have the school lists. Also, it takes me the summer to go through what they brought home, and sort through those supplies. Once I do that, we'll be ready for the new crop of supplies."

Kristy McKeon, mother of four children, 18, 19, 22, 25

Larchmont resident, works at Twinkle Toes in Larchmont 

"I'll be very last minute. I'm a very last-minute person. I have a four kids, but I'm not a big planner, which is not always a good thing. The school stuff, especially the college stuff at Bed Bath and Beyond—there isn't much left when you go late. You go late and find all the under-bed storage boxes gone."