Ways to reduce those back-to-school costs
June 2009
Getting children back to school is an expensive task at the best of times, but even more so during a tough economic downturn. The costs can quickly mount up, from buying new uniforms and schoolbooks to regular outgoings for lunches and pocket money.
By being clever and knowing your way around the system there are still some key ways that smart consumers can save money.
There may be less pressure on your household budget if you plan carefully and buy key items in instalments throughout the summer, rather than all in one go at the last minute.
School uniforms
Uniforms can be one of the biggest back-to-school expenses. Talk to your neighbours and the school to see if there is a second-hand uniform sale.
Try to shop around for generic items of clothing like grey skirts or trousers - just because the school logo appears on the blazer pocket doesn't mean you have to buy the matching plain grey skirt or trouser from their exclusive supplier.
The larger chain stores can be good for these, but bear in mind that stocks don't last when demand is high - such as in the weeks before the start of the new school year.
When buying those more general items of clothing, such as tracksuits etc, avoid branded products if you want to save money - you may be paying more for that designer label.
Keep an eye out for shops doing special promotions on school uniforms. Remember, you have the same consumer rights if you purchase goods in a sale, and are entitled to a replacement or refund if the goods are faulty.
But you are not automatically entitled to return goods if you change your mind or if they don't fit. So check the shop's returns policy before you buy and, ideally, bring your children along for sizing before you purchase.
Always keep receipts for any purchases you make. You may need them to return faulty goods.
Schoolbooks
School textbooks can be a very expensive part of back-to-school costs, so it can pay to shop around when buying books, whether old or new.
Ask the school if it runs a second-hand book sale - there may be bargains, but make sure that you are not buying a book that is outdated.
Compare prices in bookshops with those from online retailers, as well as specialised schoolbook websites such as:
Bear in mind that websites for new books sometimes have second-hand versions available too, although it can be important to check whether your school specifies a particular edition of a given textbook.
Remember too that whenever you shop online, over the phone or by a mail order catalogue, you have seven days from the date of receipt in which to change your mind and return goods for a full refund. These rights apply even if the reason is a change of mind, so they are even stronger that those you enjoy when you shop in store.
Another way to save money is to trade in or sell books that your children have finished with - once again it's worth shopping around to get the best offer.
Some schools operate book-lending schemes, which you might wish to investigate and try setting one up in your school. Don't forget that some books such as popular classics are also available from libraries, though lending times can be limited.
When buying second-hand books from a retailer, it is reasonable to expect some wear and tear. But they must still be "fit for purpose" - if they are faulty (for example have pages missing), you are entitled to a repair, replacement or refund.
Stationery
Buying stationery in bulk can be cheaper than buying items one by one. There can be good offers at back-to-school time, such as bundles of copybooks, pens and notebooks, so it's good to buy what you think you will need for the year.
Bulk buying with family, friends or neighbours can also bring the cost down further.
Lunches
Packed lunches prepared at home are not only cheaper than shop-bought lunches - they are often nicer and more nutritious.
Remember too that some lunchbox products targeted at children can work out being far more expensive than putting them together yourself - and they can also contain large amounts of salt and sugar.
Many schools now have "no junk" policies and specifically request that parents avoid including snack foods and sweets in lunchboxes. So making packed lunches for the children can also be a good means of limiting their intake of fatty foods or those with high sugar content.
A little time spent planning your family's weekday lunch menu before you do the shopping can be good for your child's health and can end up saving you a tidy sum, so set aside a moment for this in your week and watch the benefits mount up.
Clothing allowances
Check if you qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. The scheme helps towards the cost of uniforms and footwear for school children, and operates from 1 June to 30 September each year.
It is run by the local office of the Health Service Executive as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.
Your local office of the Health Service Executive will decide if you qualify for this payment.
To get the allowance, a parent or guardian must meet a number of conditions:
- You must be getting certain social welfare payments or payments for training, employment schemes or adult education
- Your total household income must be below a certain amount
- The child/student must be between two and 22 years before 1 October of the year you apply, and must be in full-time education at a recognised school or college
Learn more
Read about your consumer rights when buying online
Find out about how to work out your overall family budget
Get advice from MABS - the Money Advice and Budgeting Service - on how to avoid running up debts in paying back-to-school and educational costs
Get more back-to-school tips and resources at Schooldays.ie
Read Welfare.ie's guide to the Back to School Allowance