It’s that time of the year once again! The time of the year when students are super excited to enter a new grade level whether that’s kindergarten, primary school, high school and even college or university. Now, I’m not so sure how excited parents are when it comes to getting their child prepared because as we all know, this “back-to-school” thing can get costly very quickly! Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to “take all your money” at once, every single year if you prepare in advance and shop smart. In Part One, I would like to share with you four cost saving tips you may want to consider during this back-to-school season. If you’re up to it, go ahead and take it a step further and calculate your total savings this back-to-school season using the tips in this article. Remember, this is only Part One, so be on the lookout for more tips!

1. Create a realistic budget for each child.

Here’s the thing. If you have more than one child enrolled in school at various grade levels, creating separate budgets for each child is recommended. Creating one huge back-to-school budget may work best for you, however, be sure to allocate separate amounts for each child because their requirements are different. It can be super easy to get lost during the hustle and bustle of shopping and pulling money from the utility bills or grocery budgets to cover school supplies. Also, be sure to keep a track of how much you’re spending and if you under or overspent in each category as you would normally when budgeting for weekly or monthly purchases.

2. Purchase basic items first.

Stick to the basics! Only purchase what’s necessary and not what you think is necessary – even if it’s on sale or tax-exempt. Notebooks, notepads, crayons, pens, pencils, erasers, folder sheets, binders, you get what I’m saying! Each year there are certain items that are pretty much standard for various age groups and once you have secured the essentials then you’re good. Be careful not to purchase items that appear to be useful and spend more money on impulse purchases than taking care of items that are needed for the school year. Oh, and this isn’t even textbooks yet!

3. Take advantage of tax-free windows! 

Yes, yes, and yes! Tax-free windows provide great opportunities to save, even if it’s just a little on school supplies. Take special note of the items listed on the local VAT Holiday list which includes clothing, footwear, snack, hair accessories and specific school and office supplies. In addition, check around with specific stores that may have additional savings on their school supply inventory to grab additional saving where you can. Remember, just because it’s tax exempt does not mean that you have to buy the entire store! Purchase what you need and not what you “may be able to use” later. 

4. Purchase used books and materials. 

Everything does not have to be new guys! Let me repeat it. Everything does not have to be new!! With tight budgets, reduced income level and uncertainty regarding the employment market, consider purchasing used books and materials especially if your child will only need it for one year. Check around with parents and students from other grade levels at the school or even other schools to see if anyone may be willing to sell their books and materials at a reduced cost. In addition, post in social media groups to expand your reach and get the best deals on books and other materials.