Getting the kids ready for a new term is an expensive time of year. In addition to school uniforms and shoes, all the extra bits and pieces add up!
According to the survey site, Toluna, in 2022 over 51% of parents said they will re-use school uniforms and other school items from the previous year. 26% of parents said they would switch to lower-priced brands and 22% said they would use cheaper retailers.
But parents are going even further to cut back on costs with 41% switching kids to packed lunches to save money. So if you are feeling the pinch, you aren’t alone.
Get organised!
It might seem obvious but planning ahead really can save you money. Don’t leave school shopping til the last week of the school holidays! Last-minute shopping leaves you with fewer choices and the most expensive items.
Take an inventory of the previous year's school uniform and supplies. If there are a few months of wear left in school trousers, skirts or shirts delay buying new ones until later in the year. It’s a great way to spread the cost and items might be cheaper at a later date.
Write a checklist and remember to have the list with you, whether next to you while browsing online or on a shopping trip. It might be worth prioritising the list but creating 3 columns:
- Essentials - things that kids must have.
- Would like - something the kids would benefit from but aren’t essential.
- Treat/waitlist - things that the kids would love if the budget allows or that can be purchased at a later date.
Set a budget
Be realistic when deciding on a budget and don’t be influenced by other parents' spending. Even if you are about to set the smallest budget to date, knowing how much you have and planning ahead is a great start. We conducted a survey that revealed that parents will spend an average of £108.59 on back-to-school essentials, with school shoes being the most expensive purchase. Our tips are here to help you save as much money as possible at this expensive time of year.
Second-hand savings
From school uniforms to school bags, there are huge savings to be made when buying preloved items. From Facebook marketplace to preloved apps like Vinted there are plenty of ways to save on school uniforms and school shoes.
Buy stationery in bulk
Buying stationery in bulk provides great savings. From pencils and felt tips to a pack of notepaper. When you buy individual stationery packs from high street stationers, it can become rather pricey.
Head to eBay or Amazon and buy in bulk. Either divide up items between siblings or friends, or you can just put additional items away for next term or even next year!
Get creative
Younger children love character pencil cases, lunch boxes and accessories, but they aren’t cheap! Consider buying basic pencil cases and pick up character stickers to add to them. It makes a fun rainy-day project for during the school holidays too. Websites like Temu and Shien offer stationery essentials at low prices that can be decorated any way you like.
Make savings on lunch
Check with your local authority to see if you are eligible for free school meals. Lots of families on low incomes can claim and it can save £14 a week per child.
If your child is taking packed lunches, plan the week and bulk buy as many ingredients as you can, this will save money in the long run. Save leftovers too, pasta and chilli-based meals make tasty lunches for the next day. I have some great cheap lunch box ideas to inspire you.
Use loyalty card perks
Most of us have a few loyalty cards and apps at our fingertips. Don’t forget to use yours when you are buying school uniforms or packed lunch ingredients. And don’t forget that you can save up points and/or vouchers that you can spend on back-to-school essentials too. You can read our round-up of what the biggest supermarket loyalty schemes can offer you here.
Use Cashback apps
Apps like Top Cashback can be a great way of making some additional savings. Of course, they can be used all year round but make the most of them while you are spending more than usual. You can often get up to 20% back on your purchases and the sooner you start using them the sooner you will start building your cash pot to spend on the checklist.
Budget for school trips
Ok, so school trips aren’t necessarily something you can reduce the cost of. However, you can plan for them so you aren’t faced with unexpected expenses. Either set up a weekly or monthly standing order to a specific savings account or get the good old-fashioned jar and pop change in there on a regular basis.
Even if the money isn’t spent on school trips, it can go towards the next batch of back-to-school essentials. The time will pass quicker than you think!
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