Saturday, July 28, 2007

Shopping for College Stuff


Oh to have a daughter who loves to shop. My soon to be college freshman has inherited his mom’s anti-shopping gene. Here it is a little over two weeks until launch date, and we just made our first dorm room-shopping excursion.

Don’t panic for me all of you super organized moms and dads. We are going to recycle some leftovers from older brother—two sets of perfectly decent sheets, for example. We have a little microwave and a rug. But that leaves a whole lot of shopping. I don’t want to get down to Arkansas (Hendrix College) without more. Yes, I know they have stores, but every first year student and his or her parents will be in them, and I hate crowds as much as I hate shopping.

So, yesterday we stopped off at Target for some basic bedding items like a nice memory foam bed topper, comforter, pillows and a compact tool kit. It was fairly painless. The trick, I’ve found out, is to take son to a movie, feed him and then spring the shopping on him.

After perusing the dorm room essentials links this morning, I now realize that I'm not going to get out of spending more money--a whole lot more if I'm to believe the Rocky Mountain News which says, "In 2006, the average family of a college freshman is expected to spend $1,200 on furnishing and decorating his or her college dormitory room, according to the National Retail Federation." Yikes! And we've only just started.

7 comments:

Canadian flake said...

I just wanted to stop in and thank you for stopping by my blog. Your kind words meant a great deal. I promise my blog isn't always so heavy..lol. Hope you stop in again. Thanks again.

Marion said...

I dislike shopping as well. I had a daughter who, when she went to college, gave me a list...because she doesn't much like shopping either!

I don't think I spent as much money as the Rocky Mountain News says...but it was a long time ago...prices have gone up.

He might not care too much whether everything matches and is the tops in interior design...my daughter sure didn't care much!

Sheila said...

Wow, two Canadians visitors back to back. That's ok canadian flake, I sure have plenty of similar posts. In my book, you are entitled.

Marion, he doesn't care too much on issues of style or decor and that is a blessing. We never had to think about getting the latest or most popular of any clothes or shoes. Now, that iPod--he does love that. We won't spent that of course. It's all a big let's fuel capitalism/materialism conspiracy on the part of retailers.

Sarge Charlie said...

You have some exciting times coming, I am up to grand kids in college since my youngest is 37. You will get a reprieve for a few years. Happy shopping..

Sheila said...

Grands in college. Now that's something to be proud of. My mom was always so proud of her two grandsons. I really don't mind shopping for him too much. He really has so little patience and that can be a good thing. Keeps him from wasteful spending.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

when we picked up granddaughter number one from college in may, it almost took a truck to get her home! good luck!

smiles, bee

Sheila said...

Empress Bee, your granddaughter is lucky to have you helping her. I expect we will come home with more than we take down. I've already decided we aren't buying a chair or anything that big. He's taking a folding camp chair for now. Those are pretty comfy and don't take up a lot of space.