Do you wait till the last minute to do your kids school shopping?

I usually wait until a week or two before school starts to go school shopping. I don't buy too much, just the essentials because teachers always give the kids a list of what they need. After they get their lists, that's when I do the rest of the shopping so I know I am getting them what they are going to need. Sometimes there's a crowd when I go, but not always. They don't bother me. I just get what I need and go.

Every year I plan to go and get it early and every year it is last minute. My excuse, is normally the same each year.. Finance, or rather a lack of. It all costs so much and it falls at the same time as my son's birthday and when my car tax is due so an expensive month. Luckily as my son is getting older and in year 10 seniors, I find I don't need to buy quite as much stuff as he no longer wants new of everything, like a new bag, pens etc. He is quite happy with his stuff from last year, so it just uniform to buy. This alone costs a fortune though, so I will have to leave it until last minute. I can normally cope with the crowds as we just go to the one shop and then once through the queue can get all we need which isn't too bad.