The summer holidays might have only just begun, but it’s time to shop around for back to school savings to make the new term as cheap as possible. School is expensive. But there are lots of ways you can save on term-time costs, if you plan ahead and act now.
Jasmine Birtles is the founder of MoneyMagpie.com. Get their free investing newsletter here.
Free School Uniforms
Did you know that anyone can apply for free school uniform? Every local authority has some form of uniform exchange, and your school will be able to point you in their direction. However, they often have strict eligibility requirements, so although anyone can apply, not everyone gets them.
There are other uniform exchanges open to everyone. Check out the Uniform Exchange website, which offers good condition, second-hand uniform items to anyone who needs them. You can help them to stay open by sending in your child’s unwanted, good condition uniform, too.
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Jasmine Birtles answers questions from GB News members in the exclusive pensions and retirement Q&A | JASMINE BIRTLES | GETTY Free School Meals
If you receive certain means-tested benefits, Child Tax Credit, or Working Tax Credit, your child could be eligible for free school meals. You could also be missing out on benefits you’re entitled to, so make sure you check on Turn2Us to find out if there is cash to claim.
Even if you are not in receipt of benefits, children in government-funded schools who are in reception class, year one, and year two automatically qualify for free school meals. Contact your school ahead of the start of term to find out if your child is eligible.
Plan to Pack
If you don’t want your child to eat the food provided at school, get prepared for packed lunches. This gives you a lot of control over what your child eats, which is particularly good2 for children with intolerances and allergies.
Make the most of back-to-school discounts in stores this summer to pick up a suitable lunch bag and flask. Choose an insulated lunch bag, so you can put a small freezer block inside to keep their lunch cool and fresh.
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Jasmine is sharing her must-know back-to-school tips
| GettyCheck out the kitchen ranges at supermarkets for the best bargains, with lunch bags from £4 in Sainsbury’s, £6 in Tesco, and even £2.50 in Waitrose.
Keep an eye out over the next few weeks for bulk-buy offers on dry goods with a long shelf life, like fruit bars, to help keep the cost of lunches down, too. It can also be worth teaming up with other parents to do a big pre-back-to-school shop at a warehouse like Costco, to split the cost of bulk buys.
Use Loyalty Points
You might be saving your supermarket loyalty points for Christmas, but consider using them for the back-to-school supply run. Supermarkets offer great value on school essentials at this time of year, from notepads and pens to backpacks and water flasks.
If you have a loyalty card that includes partner offers, check whether you can convert your points into higher-value vouchers for retailers that specialise in school kit or stationery, too.
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Buy Cheap, Buy Twice
It can be very tempting to buy the cheaper version of things for school, thinking it’s only going to get ruined anyway. But, if you end up buying several pairs of shoes, school trousers, or backpacks through the school year, you’ll spend more in the long-term. However, this doesn’t mean you need to kit your child out in designer accessories.
Only replace things that actually need replacing for the September term, too. If last year’s bag still works or their pencil case still holds everything together, you don’t need to buy new every year.
Cheap Laptops
Most schools require children to have laptops to do their homework or be able to study in class, these days. But that can be expensive, especially in low-income families or those with more than one child.
There are lots of ways to get cheap laptops, such as buying refurbished second-hand devices, or asking your school if they do a loan programme. Don’t be persuaded to buy the latest Macbook Pro just because your child says they need it – most devices need to be able to run basic word processor, PDF reader, and internet apps, and that will suffice for school work.
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Have you done your back-to-school prep?
| GETTYEye Tests and Glasses
The summer is a good time to get your child’s health appointments sorted. Remember that children under 16 (or 18 and under in full time education) can claim free eye tests on the NHS, and if they need glasses, they could be eligible for vouchers up to the total cost.
Meal and Activities Savings
Finally, the savings don’t stop at the school gate. There are lots of ways to keep the cost down throughout term-time for your at-home activities, too.
For example, if you enjoy a midweek dinner out together, there are lots of places that offer kids meals for free or cheap when accompanied by an adult. This can often work out cheaper than cooking a meal for a family of four, if you’re buying only two mains but getting four (and often a drink and dessert, too!).
Check out cinema deals and other activities, too. There are lots of ways to save using websites like Groupon and Wowcher, or looking for deals online before you make plans. Savvy parents will know that a little planning can save a lot of cash in the long-term with some discount-code hunting for all kinds of family activities.