DURHAM REGION – Ontario families will spend an average of $265 to outfit their children for back to school this year. That is about $10 less than last year, according to a recent study.

Throughout the school year, Ontario parents expect to spend an additional $337 on incidentals, compared to $421 last year. Nearly one-quarter of parents indicate that they have been saving in anticipation of back-to-school expenses. Among those who have been saving for this year's back-to-school shopping, 60 per cent started saving less than two months ago. Seventy one per cent of parents say they will be paying cash or using their debit cards instead of charging back to school items on their credit cards.