Comments on: Don’t toss this year’s backpacks

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 01:59:44 +0000

I just wanted to say I really like your blog! Keep up the great work!!

Steve
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

By: Anna

Anna — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:05:41 +0000

It’s definitely worth the money (within reason) to get a better backpack. One elementary school daughter is on Year 3 of the nice brand-name sports bag her uncle gave her for Xmas, while the other one is nursing along an el cheap character backpack with a broken zipper. At the end of the school year, I simply take a softer bristle scrub brush, squirt some laundry stain remover on it (it’s pale pink), scrub it gently until the worst of the stains are gone, hose it down, and hang it out in the sunlight for a couple of days to dry. I’ve been on the hunt for a better backpack at a thrift shop for girl #2 (though the good ones never seem to find their way there).

By: Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:34:25 +0000

Definately go with higher quality backpacks. I did cheap ones for years and they often didn’t last even one school year. Then when I started working at 16 I found this beautiful black leather backpack that was on sale (!) for $50.00, now this was in 1989 (I was a junior in high school). That bag lasted through 2 years of high school, 6 years of college, 2 years of motorcycling and 8 years of camping and kids before finally giving up the ghost two years ago. I almost felt like I should have buried it! It lasted 18 years! Definately a return on my investment

By: NewLeaf

NewLeaf — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:53:09 +0000

I like this idea. I have noticed that the better quality backpacks do last. You could even put some iron on patches the next time to make them look up to date.

By: Sara Noel

Sara Noel — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:37:45 +0000

In the article, it’s not my kids. It’s a tip submitted from someone else. But this past year (for the first time), I bought higher quality backpacks and not the typical less expensive character type. My school aged kids are 9 and 6. They are still in excellent condition, so I will be implementing this tip for this year. In previous years, I bought cheaper backpacks and they were so beat up and barely made it until the end of the year. On one, the zipper even broke. The higher quality backpacks are covered under warranty which is nice. I’ll never buy a cheaper backpack again. Of course, I don’t know if your backpacks were cheaper backpacks, so hopefully it doesn’t seem that I’m assuming. I’m just sharing my experience.

In a previous article, I mentioned this tip as another option for older backpacks.

STORAGE: Old backpacks can be hung on hooks or hangers in the closet. You can store socks, winter gear, game-console accessories, toys, spare sets of sheets and pillowcases, etc. You can still use them in the car for sports equipment, a blanket or a spare set of clothes or in the garage for garden supplies.

By: Jackelynn

Jackelynn — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:22:34 +0000

Wow, your kids must be very careful with their backpacks! I’m lucky if either kid still has the one i bought them at the beginning of the year lasts even half way through.

By: Monroe on a Budget » Frugal Village tips on kids’ backpacks

Monroe on a Budget » Frugal Village tips on kids’ backpacks — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:49:06 +0000

[...] Noel’s Frugal Village newspaper column for today starts with a clever tip from a reader on how to get those kids’ school backpacks to last as long as [...]