Back to school – on a budget

The start of another school year is just around the corner. For the sake of you, your children and teachers everywhere, we hope it will be a much more peaceful, less disrupted year than the last two have been!

Even though it’s the best part of twenty years since I last set foot in a classroom, every September I find myself thinking it’s time for a new pair of sensible shoes, and maybe a pencil case. That’s right, the back-to-school shop is upon us!

We’ll take any opportunity we can find to help you save money and find great deals. So today we’ve rounded up everything you need to know to help you save money on back to school clothes and school supplies. Read on and share if you agree. And if you have any tips or advice of your own to share, head over to our Facebook or Instagram to let us know!

Get help with school uniform costs

In the past, school uniform has been one of the most expensive things on the back-to-school shopping list. A 2020 survey by The Children’s Society found that parents were spending an average of more than £300 per year for each child.

Thankfully, help is available, although it varies depending on your income and where you live:

• In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, you may be able to get help with the cost of school uniforms if you are on a low income. Use a benefit calculator to find out if you’re eligible.
• In England, a new law means that unaffordable school uniform should be a thing of the past. You might also be able to get financial help from your local council, depending on where you are. There’s a postcode checker tool on the government’s website.

Shop savvy

Once you’ve made sure you’re getting all the financial help you’re entitled to, here are some additional ways to save:

• Buy secondhand from your child’s school. Many schools sell off preloved school clothes in good condition a few times a year. It’s a sustainable way to kit out your kids for less.
• Take a look online. eBay, Facebook Marketplace and local Facebook selling groups are all great sources of back to school bargains. You can even set up an alert on Facebook Marketplace for the items you want. (Why not sell off some of your own unwanted things while you’re at it? Check out our blog on the best apps and sites for selling.)
• Embrace the M&S sale! Marks and Spencer are usually not the cheapest, but you can often get 20% or 25% off school uniform when they do their blanket clothing discounts a few times a year. 
• If all else fails, bag cheap supermarket school uniforms. These vary in quality, but can be excellent value if your child’s school allows generic uniforms with no unique school badges. And even if you do need items with a logo, sometimes it works out cheaper to buy a generic sweatshirt and iron on a badge yourself.

It’s worth spending a little extra on shoes, especially if your children are a little older and not likely to go through three sizes in a year! If you return a pair of old shoes to Schuh, you get £5 off your next pair. 

Stationery and supplies

There’s more to buy than just the school uniform. Here are a few hints to help you save more on those little extras:

• Need a backpack? Try your local charity shops or buy secondhand online, the earlier the better. Students will often offload last year’s bag there.
• Poundland and similar bargain stores are a great place to pick up cheap and cheerful stationery. Try there before heading to the supermarket or a stationers.
• Follow a shopping list! It’s all too easy to get tempted by items that are nice to have but not essential…especially if your kids come shopping with you! Instead, before the back to school rush, make a list of everything your child will need and how much you have to spend. It’s a good opportunity to teach your kids about budgeting. And buy online if possible, to cut down on those impulse purchases. 

Lunches

First, check if you can get free school meals for your child.

If not, making packed lunches is usually much cheaper than paying for school dinners. Not everyone has the time or resources to make a packed lunch every day. But meal planning can make it a little easier. Try the pitta pockets or pizza bagels in our 10 Quick Lunches blog. Or take a look at our 14-Day Food Plan if you want to get really organised in the kitchen before school starts.

 

Thanks for reading, and we hope you’ve found this useful. Why not join us over on Facebook or Instagram to share your own tips?