Back to School Spending Challenge

I was reading a post at Frugal Village about a group of people who have formed a compact and agreed not buy anything new for a year. They allow for some items (food, underwear, etc) , but everything else has to be purchased used.


It got me thinking. How long could I go without buying anything new - at all. 

I'm realistic. Diva is growing out of her clothes every time I blink. (I tried not blinking... no luck there.) Elvis and I don't need much in general but things do pop up from time to time. Could I go a year without buying anything "new" (first owner). The simple answer is no.

Don't see it as a failure. I view it as knowing my personal limitations. School clothes could be purchased second hand... school supplies can't. Diva's birthday and party is coming up this month and summer is coming faster than usual around here, so she will need new summer clothes. She has outgrown everything from last year, and I will need to buy her clothes this month. 

About now, I am thinking I need a spending challenge.  

Back to School Challenge

I already have some things in my school stockpile, I will update the list, along with the final costs. Some of her clothes will still fit for the start of school, so I have not added those to "new" list.

The Rules
- stick to the list
- complete list for as little as possible 

The Unofficial List * subject to change as her sizes and seasons
5 pairs of pants/jeans or shorts
5 short sleeve shirts
5 long sleeve/hoodies
2 pair sneakers
5 pair socks and unmentionables
1 winter jacket
1 pair boots 
scarf, gloves, hat 

The Official List (per the school all things mandatory)
 36 #2 pencils
8 ct. washable markers
12 ct. colored pencils
5 blue/black ink pens
5 red ink pens
2 highlighters - different colors
2 erasers (white medium)
5" sharp scissors
pencil sharpener
1 12" sturdy ruler (inch and cm marks)
6 small or 3 large Elmer glue sticks
3 packs of 100 lined 3x5 index cards
2 spiral 3x5 index cards
3 packs 3-hole wide ruled paper (100 sheets)
1 composition notebook
1 5x7 spiral notebook
pencil case
container large enough to hold all supplies
1 1/2" 3-ring view binder w/interior pockets
1 expandable coupon holder
3 large boxes of tissues
3 containers Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
1 Scotch tape
1 old shirt (adult size) for painting projects