As the long summer holidays come to an end, a million parents across the UK are getting ready for the annual back-to-school scramble. Soaring prices of education-related costs means all families are looking for smart ways to stay in the black. This guide outlines the best ways to cut costs on uniforms and school supplies. It includes how-to’s on budgeting travel and other back-to-school basics, with kids headed back to class.
Strategic planning and execution is an absolute must for parents who are serious about keeping college costs down. The school uniform typically consists of two parts: branded items, which must be purchased from a supplier associated with the school, and generic items that can be sourced from various retailers. Knowing the difference between these categories can help parents know how to shop wisely.
Understanding School Uniform Requirements
School uniforms branded with the school’s logo, like jumpers, cardigans or blazers, are common. Unlike commercial products these items must be sold by certified dealers, decreasing competition and driving up their cost. Parents should check with their child’s school for approved suppliers and consider purchasing these items early to avoid last-minute price hikes or shortages.
Bland school uniform staples—in the form of polo shirts, khakis, and jumpers—are much easier. And there’s time for parents to shop around at various retailers, including maximizing seasonal sales and promotions. Retailers such as M&S regularly introduce cheaper generic uniforms. This makes it the ideal time for parents to stock up on key items!
Moreover, most public elementary schools supply the basic classroom supplies for learning—including pens, pencils, and notebooks. But students are mostly asked to take their own writing materials for even specific classes. We encourage parents to double check with their child’s school about what is included and what they will need to buy on their own.
Smart Shopping for Stationery and Technology
With the new school year not far off, this gives parents an opportunity to buy low-cost stationery from supermarkets and high street stores. With nearly nine in 10 retailers already promoting BTS shopping, it will be easier than ever for families to save money on BTS shopping this summer. School-related items such as notebooks, pens, and other art supplies are easy to find at back-to-school season low prices.
For households with teens, tech investments are likely to be coming due soon as well. Laptops refurbished and sold through outlets such as Back Market or eBay offer a more affordable option than purchasing new machines. Many of these refurbished models include warranties to provide peace of mind and take cost pressure off families.
Yet, in addition to the school supplies – fixed costs that must be solved for – many parents have to budget for other expenses like wraparound childcare. We know that the costs tied to after-school programming can be prohibitive. By planning ahead and knowing what is available locally, families can make informed decisions to find the best affordable childcare solutions that meet their needs.
Transportation Savings for Students
With students heading back to class, transportation costs can place a major burden on a family’s budget. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to cut down on these costs. Children aged 11-15 years old can travel free unaccompanied on public transport with Zip Oyster photocard. This is tube, DLR, Overground and Elizabeth line – all of which accelerate travel to Central London.
For younger children below the age of 11, free uniformed travel to school is provided, if the distance is over two miles. Guide dogs and children older than eight years of age are eligible to travel for free. This is the case even if they live more than three miles from their school. These provisions can help ease the financial burden for families who already pay to commute to and from a school.
Teenagers aged 16–18 in full-time education can benefit from a 16+ Oyster card, which offers half-price fares on public transport. This discount goes a long way to lower students’ cost of travel throughout the school year, making it easier for them to get around their city!
Preparing for School Trips and Additional Costs
When you factor in several outings per year, school trips can create a significant and unexpected financial burden on families. Parents have the option of saving money every month in order to meet these costs. To do this, they can set up a separate savings jar through a banking app or a notice account. This preventive measure gives families more predictability in their budgets. They can pay for school trips over time instead of having to make a massive upfront payment.
Smart parents will pre-pay for vacations. They can visit community resources such as municipal “swap shops” or sales run by local parents’ groups. These events help to make secondhand clothing and school supplies available to the community at lower costs. Families save dollars and provide care for each other’s family members!