Back to School Tips

Posted on Jun 05, 2024

Sending the kids back to school can put a strain on our finances. From new shoes, shirts, blazers, PE kits to stationery and textbooks, getting the little ones ready for a new school term can be a massive cost to face, leaving many parents and grandparents feeling stressed!

Many parents find themselves dipping into savings to cover these essential costs, or over-spending in a last-minute panic. So how can you avoid breaking the bank or over-spending in a last-minute panic?

Make a list

Remember to make a list of everything you need to buy to make sure you only buy what is needed. Before you head to the shops, take a look at what you already have. You can often reuse some of last year’s school supplies and save money this time around.

Budget

The most important thing when trying to keep costs down is to have a clear budget. Sticking to a budget is hard when you have the kids in tow asking for the newest and brightest equipment. Start with a clear shopping list and buy the basics on your own so your kids aren’t tempted by the non-essentials.

School uniform shops

Many schools across the country have their own school uniform shop where parents can donate uniforms which their child has grown out of but still has a lot of wear in it! The shops are a great way to save money and shop sustainably. From jumpers and cardigans to shirts, skirts and trousers, these shops can help parents and grandparents save £££!

Seek out cheaper alternatives

Essentials such as socks, plain shirts, trousers, and PE shorts can be purchased in supermarkets and online for significantly less than the high street school uniform shops.  Also, don’t overspend on expensive lunchboxes, bags and other items that are quite likely to be lost or damaged before long.  Will they really know the difference?

Buy a size larger than needed

Your child will soon grow into them!

The Children’s Society has found the average costs are around £287 for a child in Primary School, and a whopping £422 for a child in Secondary School. These costs are putting huge pressure on families, with some families having to cut back on essentials like food and electricity.

Remember, Voyager Alliance is here if you need help with spreading the cost of the new school year. With bite-sized repayments straight from your pay, Voyager Alliance could help take some of the financial strain out of the back-to-school shop.

Check out our loan calculator to see how much a Voyager Alliance loan might cost.