history: My kids first day of school was last Tuesday. I couldn't buy them school supplies until Friday. 
current: My kids started school last Tuesday and no school supply lists were put out online or in stores. I didn't get a list until 4 days before school started. I had to send them to school with no supplies until I could afford to buy them some on Friday. 
next: Oh no that sounds terrible. I would hate to have such a financial burden suddenly sprang on me.