HOW TO SAVE WITH BACK TO SCHOOL EXPENSES

It’s that time again! The time of year that all parents dread and some children eagerly anticipate. It’s time to go back to school!

In only a few weeks, children and their teachers will be back at school, so everyone needs to prepare for the beginning of the new school year. Parents, however have a different perspective as the school year approaches all they see are only mounting bills.

As August nears its end, parents are faced with various costs, school fees, replacing or getting new uniforms, books and book-bags as well as providing lunch money on a daily basis.

So is there any way of relieving the stress of those parents who are having problems finding the money to send their children back to school? Of course there is! Let me outline a few ways:

• Start early. (Don’t wait until September to start sourcing books and school supplies)
• Recycle. (Don’t automatically throw out old lunch kits or bags, check if they can be repaired)
• Wait for teachers’ instructions. (Don’t buy all the books at once, as books sometimes are used on a termly basis.)
• Buy used books. (Some children were bought books they don’t need so ask around)
• Repair (Check if the old uniform is able to be adjusted while still adhering to the rules of the school)
• Send cooked lunch from home. (This is cheaper than sending money although the older children might not appreciate this loving gesture.)

So hopefully these suggestions will ease you back into your school preparations and save you money! How do you save with back to school expenses? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner Online Writer

Tags: consumer, save, shopping