Budgeting Advice: The Cost of School

From school uniforms and shoes to school bags, water bottles and stationery, the costs that go with buying everything your school-aged children need can quickly build up and put a mental strain on you and your children. Not only is it costly to get them back-to-school ready, but budgeting for those unexpected uniform replacements and new supplies during the academic year or thinking about childcare options out of term time can sometimes be overlooked. Ultimately, things can become pricey, and in the current climate where every penny counts, smart and savvy ways are needed.

No parent should be left feeling that their finances are getting in the way of their child’s education and school experiences, which is why we’re here to spell out some smart ways to tackle school costs when you’re a parent on a budget.

Go Second Hand

For replacement school shoes, trainers for PE and even unbranded bits of uniform, you can hit the charity shops and get signed up for second hand selling apps and websites such as Vinted and 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.

It’s not just uniforms, either – you can also pick up some high quality, low cost kids’ clothing on second hand sites and apps they can wear for ‘own clothes day’, school discos and on school trips.

This can be a good opportunity to talk to your kids about money and how second hand clothing is a cheaper way to buy the things that you need, not to mention the environmental benefits it can have.

Uniform swap shop

As any parent of school-aged children will know, they can quickly grow out of their uniforms. Even if they don’t outgrow them, they might still need to be replaced if they become worn or damaged. Some schools also require a new style of uniform depending on which school year they’re going into. This might mean that parents are expected to buy a different tie or blazer, for instance. All of the costs involved with school uniforms can quickly add up, which is why it can be a good idea to ask the school or parent WhatsApp groups if they are looking to pool the uniforms that are no longer right for their child or are too small. A swap shop could be hosted within the holidays or separate arrangements may be made to swap the clothing – ultimately saving you money!

Some parents may also be entitled to help with the cost of school uniforms. You can learn more here about legal guidance on school uniforms and find out whether you’re eligible for a school uniform grant.

Collect vouchers

Many supermarkets advertise vouchers to use in-store to help with the cost of school supplies. 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 that do the hard work for you and show you all available discounts and vouchers.

Meal prep like a pro

If you aren’t entitled to free school meals for whatever reason but you’re trying to keep meal costs down, you might find that meal-prepping packed lunches helps you do just that. Ensure you’re prepping them the night before or at the start of the week so that you’re not rushing in the mornings and have zero temptation to turn to the school meal option. By also planning and preparing as many of the family meals as possible, you can make sure you’re buying long-lasting ingredients or choosing bulk-buys and freezer foods from lower-cost supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl. This way, you can cut costs on the entire food shop by thinking about how leftovers or batch recipes can work for different meals. For inspiration, you can always do a quick search on social media for ‘meal prep ideas’ or ‘family batch cooking’. BBC Good Food can offer a wide selection of meal prep ideas suitable for everyone.

Further savings can be made by shopping at lower cost supermarkets such as Aldi or Lidl.

Get savvy with school supplies

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

School textbooks can be costly to purchase, but if these are required by the school, you can search online for second hand copies. However, it’s important to check that the textbook is the correct version for the syllabus your child is studying. Alternatively, you can check with the school to see if they have any spare copies available, or speak to the parents of children in higher years to find out if they’re selling or passing on their child’s textbooks now once they’re no longer needed. Another great option can be searching for digital PDF version of the textbooks at a lower cost than the physical version.

Shop around for stationery

Children might have their eyes on the nicest-looking pens and notepads, but these can be costly, especially when you’re buying for more than one school-aged child. To help cut costs, shop around online or in store to see where you can get the best deals for what you need. It’s important to strike a balance between longer-lasting stationery that fits within your budget, and taking the time to compare pricing at different places can be helpful.

Childcare rota

Childcare is expensive and with parents working full time, this can be a big struggle in school holidays. Single parents who might not be able to alternate with the other parent can feel especially lost with how to handle the rising costs of childcare.

Either way, building a childcare rota with any friends or family willing to help out can be a game-changer. Not only does this reduce the reliance on paid daycare or playgroups, but it also allows parents to build a support system that makes them feel less alone during these times.

School trip pot

When all their friends are going on a school trip, you understandably won’t want to be the one who has to tell them they can’t go because you can’t afford it. While you might not always be able to send them off on luxury trips booked through your child’s school, having a pot of money set aside for the educational trips can make sure they’re never isolated from these. Since the school is likely to know in advance about any upcoming trips, you can contact them to get an idea of the costs involved. You can use this to start saving smaller amounts each week or month, rather than trying to piece together the funds all at once.

So there you have it! We know how difficult it can be cost-wise to put a child through school, but we hope these tips and tricks can help make sure your money stretches that little bit further.

If you’re struggling with debt, you can get in touch with the UK Debt Service team for support. We offer free access to our Support Hub, where you can be signposted to a variety of support resources from apps, videos and organisations. If you want to find out more insights from our specialist advisors on how to better control your finances, get in touch today.