In just a few weeks time our children will be returning to school. That means us parents really don’t have long left to make sure our children have all they need for their return.
From school uniforms to stationary, backpacks and snacks, it’s time we got a move on! The return to school can be an expensive time, especially if you have more than one child. That’s why I’ve put together a few tips to help you save money.
Save Money on Uniforms
When my children first started school I headed off to the nearest Clarks shoe shop to make sure my children had the best shoes. While I do like Clarks school shoes, you really don’t need to spend a fortune on them. After all, within a few weeks your children’s shoes will be scuffed and muddy!
Supermarkets often have sales on when it comes to school shoes and they tend to be a lot cheaper than those in shoe shops. In my opinion they’re just as good as the more expensive options.
When it comes to school uniforms, you really don’t need to buy everything from your schools uniform shop. I always buy multi-packs of polo shirts and jumpers from the supermarket, and this goes for their school trousers and pinafores too. They’re just as good, minus the official school logo, as the ones you’d get from the school, but they’re a lot cheaper.
You could also visit your local school or give them a call to see if they have a second hand rail. Our girls school does and it’s great for picking up good quality uniform at a fraction of the cost.
That being said, the cost of school uniforms can still add up, especially if you have more than one child. Cashlady.com could offer you a short term loan that you could use towards the cost of school uniform.
You can also save your eldest child uniform to pass down to any younger siblings. I have lots of friends who do this.
Save Money on School Lunches
My girls take a packed lunch to school with them and that’s because it’s far cheaper to have a homemade packed lunch than it would be for me to pay for them to have school dinners.
Quite often I can buy fruit, healthy snacks and yoghurts in bulk or on a multi-savings deal in my local shop.
I also like to save leftovers from our evening meals. For example, if we’re having a roast dinner on a Sunday, any leftover chicken can be used for their sandwiches. It’s a great way to save money, but also to reduce waste.
Save Money by Shopping Online
Not only does online shopping save you time, it can also save you money. If I’m honest, I tend to buy the majority of things online. This is because I can get search for the best deal at a time to suit myself, but it also means I can utilise cashback websites to get a little money back!
If you’re looking for some stationary or a new backpack or lunch box, have a search on Google to compare prices. It’s also worth searching for voucher codes and money off coupons online too!
What are your best back to school money saving tips? Let me know in the comments below.
