Back-to-school doesn’t have to break the bank
Kitting out the kids for the new school term is not cheap but there are ways to keep your spending down.
Gillean Dooney, managing director at Barclays (barclays. co.uk), says: “Have a look through their wardrobe first. Before you buy any uniform items, see what you can reuse. If they’ve grown out of anything, have a go at making some extra cash and selling them on a free online marketplace or local selling pages instead of throwing them away.
“If you can, buy your school essentials after the term has started. Once the back to school rush is over, many supermarkets and clothing stores continue to sell school essentials but at reduced prices to make way for new stock.
“Swap!
Why not share in your school chat groups what you have available to swap and what you need? For example, parent A may want to get rid of some sports kit their child no longer needs that you need and you may want to get rid of a lunch box in good condition that will save them from buying a new one.
“For older kids, that may need a new laptop or phone, have a look on trusted, verified sites that sell second-hand or refurbished tech to get devices for a fraction of the price.
“You can also have a look on the manufacturers’ websites, as they often sell second-hand models and sometimes you can trade your current device in for a new one, or it can go towards the cost of it. But before doing this, remember to wipe the device back to its original factory settings so you don’t share any personal information.
“When shopping online, before you make a purchase, research online for any discount or voucher codes that are available.”