Savvy Savings Tips for Back to School Expenses

Your child’s education is important– but can be expensive. Our helpful tips explore how you can save money on common back to school expenses.

If possible, settle annual fees early

Though there is no better advantage than ensuring your children have a great education, school fees are a major expense which requires careful budgeting and planning for.

If it is within your means, many schools may offer discounts should you opt to pay your child’s annual school fees upfront and in full rather than over set repayment terms.

This means that should you opt to pay their schooling fees in front, you may absorb a large cost earlier in the year – and while this may be difficult to navigate, it can have its rewards – your school may offer you discounts on other fees, programmes, or other benefits.

Consider applying for a school fees exemption

In South Africa, parents or guardians are liable to pay their child’s school fees unless they are legally exempt.

A school fees exemption means that the Department of Education will support families which cannot afford to pay their children’s annual fees under what are called the Fee Exemption Regulations.

There are various regulations which can be applied should you require support – for example, the Department offers Full, Partial, and Conditional exemptions which can assist in either paying the entirety or a portion of an annual schooling fee. Your school’s administrative office will contain the relevant paperwork for you to complete should you wish to apply for an exemption.

Audit what school supplies you already have

School stationary supplies are required to not only help your child complete their school coursework or homework, but may also be required for special interest subjects such as art, geography, or advanced mathematics.

Rather than re-purchasing a suggested list every year, do an annual audit of what school supplies your child already has available – enabling you to simply order necessary replacements or what new items they require.

Order bulk shipments online to save on shipping fees

Should you need to make a stationery order, it can be convenient and affordable to order a bulk shipment online as opposed to purchasing select items at various brick and mortar stores.

Not only does this enable you to shop various sales, but you may further save with discounts and delivery fees should you process an order for all your required items at once.

Don’t shop for personalized items

Though it’s tempting to buy personalized or novelty items for your child to use while they’re at school, customized or designer apparel or stationery can be expensive. To cut back on costs and ensure your child has what they require, rather aim to buy generic materials or bulk supplies which are far cheaper and more readily available.

Help your child prepare their own lunches

While the school’s tuck shop or eatery may be convenient and accessible, ordering meals from either can be expensive. Teaching your child how to prepare their own meals not only helps them learn about accountability and an appreciation for eating healthily, it can be far less expensive.

Helping your child develop a shopping list for you to fulfill can further enable your child to develop planning skills that can assist them later on in life.

If possible, repair worn school uniforms rather than replace them

School uniforms are another major expense that arrive with the start of a new school year – and often can wear and tear quickly given that your child might be prone to play during their free time outside of class.

Rather than purchasing new items, consider whether you can repair worn school clothing or have them tailored to an appropriate size as your child grows.

Use hand-me-downs or shop secondhand

If you have more than one child attending school, it can also be practical to hand down clothing from your eldest children to your youngest – infrequently worn items such as blazers, waistcoats, hats or sporting gear can easily be resized or refitted to suit your children as they progress through school.

Alternatively, your school may have a second hand shop where past pupils may donate or sell their older uniforms. Purchasing second hand clothing is a cost-effective way to ensure that your child can wear an appropriate school uniform.

Consider carpooling for the school run

If your child requires transport to reach their school, a great way to save money on either your fuel expenses or their travel costs is to establish a carpool group with other students who live in your immediate surroundings. By doing so, you can divide the total cost of transport and other expenses among other students, parents, or guardians.