The countdown is on—in many places, school starts in less than a month! While parents will be celebrating the return of (at least some!) free time, they will also be dreading the costs associated with sending the kids back to school. But retailers will be smiling all the way to the bank as families are expected to spend over $17.6 billion dollars!

So often we think of back-to-school costs as covering only the school supplies and clothing. Many of us forget about the associated costs such as school fees, sports fees, instrument rental, yearbooks, testing fees, physical exams, etc.

These additional costs can really sink the budget! Studies show that total costs are approximately $308 for a grade school student, $439 for a middle school student, and $670 for a high school student to return to school—even before the clothing is purchased.

In order to better prepare for the total picture, check out Huntington National Bank’s “Backpack Index.” At the bank’s homepage, www.huntington.com , you’ll find a link to a handy web page that helps parents get a better idea of their true back-to-school expenses. Here are some other suggestions:

• Develop and follow a budget for back-to-school expenses and involve your family. • Beginning this October, save money each month for next school year. • Get the supply list early. Some schools hand them out with the final report card. Other schools may have the list online. By knowing what you’ll need in advance, you can stock up over time. • Set realistic expectations about what you will spend on clothing items. For example, if you decide that you’ll spend $25 on a pair of jeans and your child wants the $75 pair, let your child know that he or she is responsible for the difference. You may be amazed at how fiscally conservative they become!

When you plan ahead, back-to-school expenses won't become a financial nightmare. Try these tips and you may find that you'll score an A+ on your family's financial report card!