If you’re dreading the start of the school term because of the costs that go with it, try these money-saving ideas
The school holidays are normally an expensive time for any parent. If you work, you'll often have to pay extra for holiday clubs and child care and if you take some time off, you'll pay more for your holiday - not to mention funding days out and activities to stop the endless cries of 'I'm bored'. Roll on the start of the school term, then. Except that can be an expensive time as well. But you can bring the costs down - it may not be child's play, but it's not mission impossible either.
1. Buy school uniform from the supermarket
Supermarkets know that cheap school uniforms are a great way of getting parents through the door. And just because they only cost a few pounds doesn’t mean they’ll fall apart in a matter of weeks. Lively kids will always wear out their clothes quickly, no matter how much you pay for them. BBC’s Watchdog programme put school uniforms to the test in September 2009.
SAVVY TIP: If you’re on a low income, you may be able to apply for help with school uniform costs. There’s information on how to go about it at the government’s Directgov website. Be aware that it’s down to individual local authorities whether they provide financial help and not all do.
2. Go second-hand for blazers
If your child’s school has a distinctive blazer that you can only buy from an approved retailer, buy it second hand. Some shops that sell blazers new for £60, sell them for as little as £5 second hand.
SAVVY TIP: The government introduced guidelines in 2007 to say that schools have to take cost into account when deciding the uniform policy. If you feel your child’s school isn’t sticking to the guidelines, consider complaining. You’re probably not the only one who thinks the uniform is expensive.
3. Get transport for free – if you can
If your child lives more than two miles away from the nearest suitable school if they’re under eight or younger or three miles if they’re eight or older, the local authority has to provide free transport. There’s information about free transport on the government's Directgov website.
SAVVY TIP: Since September 2007 parents on a low income are entitled to free transport to school for their children if they’re aged eight to 11 and live at least two miles away from the nearest suitable school. And in September 2008, the rules changed for low-income parents of children at secondary school. Your child is entitled to free transport if he or she is aged 11-16 and if they go to any of their three nearest suitable schools and the schools are between two and six miles away (between two and 15 miles if it’s a school you prefer because of your religious beliefs).
4. Make packed lunches
Organising a packed lunch doesn’t have to take long and it’s a lot cheaper than a school lunch. Don’t feel guilty if you’re stretched and can’t do it every day of the week, even a packed lunch two or three times a week will help the family budget.
SAVVY TIP: If your child has lots of sports equipment to carry, they may not be keen to taking their sandwiches as well. Work out a routine that suits you both.
5. Plan what your children are going to eat
Work out in advance what they’ll have in their packed lunch so you’re not scraping mould off an old piece of cheese at seven in the morning! Individually packaged cakes and biscuit bars are convenient, but they’re not necessarily a cheap way of feeding hungry children. Buy biscuits etc and repackage them yourself.
SAVVY TIP: Save money on drinks. Give your child a bottle of tap water, rather than paying for fizzy drinks (these days you’re not being mean, it’s good for the environment).
6. Buy the cheapest mobile phone and set a limit on spending
There’s a lot of debate about when children should have their first mobile phone, but whatever age you feel comfortable about your child getting a mobile, make sure you buy a cheap one. They’ll probably lose or break it, so there’s no point in splashing out.
SAVVY TIP: Pay-as-you-go phones will mean you have some control over the bills. Set a limit that you’ll pay each month and – if they go over the limit – they’re responsible for topping it up. Whatever you do, don’t agree to pay their bills! If they need money to buy a top-up card, they can earn money by doing tasks around the home.
