Top tips to save money on Back to School costs

Posted on July 16, 2024

Going back to school in September can cost a lot of money for families. Buying new uniforms, school supplies, and books can really add up. And after spending money on fun activities during the summer, it’s tough to have to spend even more on school stuff!

A recent study by NimbleFins showed that parents spend around £162.83 to get everything their child needs for the new school year. Some parents have to use their savings or even borrow money to pay for all the back-to-school stuff. Check out these money-saving tips we came up with to help you spend less on back-to-school items:

Back to School Tips

Have a good sort out; You might already have pens, pencils, paper, and other stuff at home that you can use for Back to School. You can save money by collecting all the stationery you already have instead of getting new ones

Make a list – Make sure to look at the school’s uniform list to find out what you must have and what they suggest you have but isn’t required. This way, you can save money by buying some items from regular stores instead of the pricier School Shops.

Spread the cost – Don’t buy everything all at once if you don’t have to. If your kid is staying at the same school, just check their uniform and only buy what you really need before September. You can try to get the rest throughout the year or during sales after September.

Buy clothes a full-size larger – your child will soon grow into them, over the school year.

Label everything – It’s important to label your school uniform so you don’t lose it! Use washable iron-on labels or special clothes marker pens to make sure your stuff can find its way back to you. Remember to label all your things like bags, water bottles, lunch boxes, and stationery too!

Look out for special offers – Many stores and websites have special deals and promotions. Look in magazines, newspapers, and websites like MoneySavingExpert for discounts, coupons, and promo codes.

Seek out cheaper alternatives – You can buy stuff like socks, plain shirts, trousers, skirts, and PE shorts at the supermarket or online for way cheaper than at the school uniform store.

Secondhand is fine – You can save money by not buying everything brand new! Lots of parents give their kids’ old school uniforms to their younger siblings, so you can do the same and trade with other parents. Some schools even have ‘swap shops’ where you can get pants, sweaters, or shoes that other kids have grown out of, and you might even be able to sell your own kids’ old stuff to make some extra money.

Start a savings account – Even if you’re really good at budgeting, you can bet on having more school costs like field trips, sports clubs, and music lessons. An Eastern Savings & Loan Share Account is a great way to save some money each week or month to make sure your kids have a great school year.

Need help with the costs now?

Our affordable Child Benefit Savings & Loan Plan might be useful for paying for Back to School expenses rather than higher cost credit elsewhere. You can save at the same time too, meaning that once you finish repaying your loan, you’ll also have some money saved up! You can learn more about how the Savings & Loan plan works, and sign up for a savings account and/or a loan just using the links below.