In the blink of an eye, the school summer holidays are almost at an end, and with September rapidly looming, back to school preparations are fully underway. For parents, getting the kids ready for the start of term can prove a stressful and costly experience at the best of times.
However,
in the midst of a cost of living crisis, the financial implications will only
be adding to the pressure many families across the country are feeling. That
being said, there are ways to cut the costs of gearing up for a new school
year.
Nick Drewe, founder of discounts platform, WeThrift has
compiled a list of useful tips for how families can help to reduce their costs
and save money on the back to school essentials this September.
- Conduct a
uniform inventory check
A
large financial burden concerning many families is the cost of new school
uniforms, particularly for families with multiple children, meaning multiple
uniforms across different schools with different requirements.
It
can be tempting to feel that you have to buy everything brand new when it
comes to a new school year; however, it’s always worthwhile doing an
inventory and quality checks on your children’s existing uniform before hitting
the shops. If some items are still good quality, and are still fitting well for
the time-being, save on money and continue wearing them until they need
replacing.
- Purchase
pre-loved uniforms
Another
great way to cut down on the amount you’re spending on school uniforms is to
shop for preloved items, particularly on the more expensive items such as
blazers and clothing with your child’s school logo on.
Look
out for local second-hand uniform retailers who offer uniforms with the
school’s branding, and be sure to add yourself to local school Facebook pages
or parents' Whatsapp groups, as many others may be looking to hand down their
child’s outgrown items rather than seeing good quality pieces going to waste.
Not only does this save on money, but is also better from a sustainability
perspective too.
- Search for
discount codes when shopping for school shoes
One
of the most expensive elements of the school uniform shop is new school shoes.
Not only do parents have to contend with wear and tear, but also the fact that
children’s feet are constantly growing, meaning that the costs can start to
really pile up throughout the school year.
That
being said, there are a wide range of discount codes available online for many
of the high street shoe retailers. Yes, go into the shop in person to try on
the fit of the shoes, but then it’s recommended searching online for
discount codes and purchasing through the retailers website.
Also,
be on the lookout for retailers that offer a warranty guarantee, with some
offering refunds or replacements if the product is of poor quality or if your
child grows out of them within a certain time period. Remember to always check
terms and conditions.
- Use loyalty
points or cash back sites
If
you are planning on shopping for uniforms and back to school essentials at your
local supermarket, why not use your loyalty points if you have them, saving you
money on the more expensive items.
Reward
and cash back sites are also a great way to help to cut the cost of back to
school shopping.
- Government
Uniform Grants
School
uniform grants are available from local councils across
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, offering money towards the costs of
school uniforms and PE kits. It is always worth checking your local council to
see if such grants are available and if you meet the terms and conditions to
qualify to receive it.
If
such a grant is unavailable from your local council, check with your child’s
school to see if any other incentives or grants are available to help you save
on the cost of uniforms.
- Carry
out an inventory check on stationery
When
it comes to new stationery shopping for the new term, it can be tempting to
splurge on an excessive amount of different coloured pens, notepads,
calculators and more. We always recommend doing as you would with school
uniforms and doing an inventory check to look at the quality of existing
stationery, looking at what’s missing and what may need replacing.
It
is also worthwhile to check in with your children’s school and find out if any
equipment will be provided in school and what exactly you need to purchase
yourself. This saves you doubling up on unnecessary items.
- Shop for
second hand books
For
the kids who are a little older and are at secondary school, they may be
required to purchase certain books for their studies. The cost of purchasing
books across multiple subjects can add up.
Therefore,
looking out for retailers that provide the option to purchase preloved books at
a reduced cost is always worthwhile. Again, not only is this saving on cash,
but offers a more sustainable way of shopping for school supplies.
- Plan for
packed lunches
When
it comes to reducing the costs of your child’s lunches, planning is key!
Pre-plan what lunches you’re going to make for them throughout the week before
you do your food shops so that you can work out a weekly budget and know
exactly what you need to buy. Bulk buying ingredients and cupboard staples you
use regularly is also a handy way to reduce the cost of your grocery
bills.
Keep
an eye out for items that are on sale and stock up when they are reduced.
However,
it’s important to pay extra attention to expiration dates on food so that you
can plan and minimise food wastage.
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