Smart ways to tackle back-to-school on a budget!

September and back-to-school is just around the corner. Now is the time to start getting yourself organised for the back-to-school headache of new shoes, new uniforms, new school bags, water bottles, pencil cases, etc. We are here to spell out some smart ways on how to tackle the back-to-school nightmare when you are on a budget.

If you are not careful, the list of back-to-school items can become very overwhelming. We joke that we have to remortgage at new school shoe time, yet it is not far from the truth. Things can get so expensive and in the current climate where every penny counts, smart and savvy ways are needed.

1. Think “circle economy”

It’s the buzz word of recent times, making second hand shopping cool and ethically correct by saving items from landfill. Hit the charity shops and get signed up to second hand selling apps such as Vinted. There are thousands of used school shoes on these apps at the moment and you could save a fortune buying second hand rather than new. Top tip – get the kids feet measured somewhere first so that you know what sizes you are looking for.

2. Swap shop

Ask the school or parent whatsapp groups if they are looking to pool the uniform that may have become too small but are still of a decent quality. A swap shop could be hosted within the holidays or separate arrangements made to swap the clothing – saving you money!

3. Collect vouchers

At this time of year, many supermarkets advertise vouchers to use instore. Additionally, some websites encourage spending by offering percentages off your shopping basket. Hunt around for the best deals and use them. A great place to start is by visiting online voucher websites who do the hard work for you and show you all available discounts and vouchers.

4. Meal prep like a pro

If you no longer receive free school meals, then packed lunches are a cheaper alternative. Ensure that you are prepping them the night before so that there is no rush in the mornings and zero temptation to turn to the school meal option.

Experiment with simple, healthy recipes. Think about bulk buying and then freezing sandwiches. Cold pasta salads are a great option too!

5. Tech tricks

If tech is required for school or you need an extra laptop for homework, why not look for refurbished electronics or previous generation models? They are often just as good as the latest version but sold at a fraction of the original price.

So there you have it! Back-to-school shopping does not have to be expensive. Get a little creative, think outside the box and ask other parents to join you in being a bit resourceful because every family is looking for ways to make their money go a bit further.

Additionally, September is around the corner. It’s probably a good time for a financial refresh so why don’t you revisit some of our previous blogs about managing your money to set you up for the rest of the year.