How to shop back to school on a budget

Parents can save hundreds across uniforms, stationery, books, bags and lunch boxes but it takes a little effort. Here’s what you need to do.

Queensland parents have been urged to shop around for their children’s school books, with opportunities to save hundreds of dollars.

Finder money and insurance expert Taylor Blackburn said research had shown parents could save hundreds across uniforms, stationery, books, bags and lunch boxes.

He said the average spend for a primary school aged student for school essentials was about $330 for a year’s supply.

The cost for a secondary student was estimated to be $630 for the year, and included items such as calculators and pricier textbooks.

Mr Blackburn said parents should shop around for second-hand uniforms and preloved or gently used items to save money.

Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and parent swap/sell groups were also great ways to find bargains.

“The biggest costs are really the uniform and the shoes. The average cost of shoes is about $109,” he said.

He said a uniform roughly costs $170 per year.

“So if you’re able to pick them (shoes and uniform) for $50 a piece, that’s $100 you’ve saved,” he said. “Shopping online for school supplies also keeps you from making impulse buys in the checkout line.”

An analysis by The Courier-Mail showed parents could get cheaper items if they shopped at places like Officeworks, Big W or Kmart, compared with lists offered by schools around southeast Queensland.

The Brisbane Central State School Year 5 booklist comes in at $291.60.

However, shopping around could reduce the cost to $245.24.

Runcorn State School Year 4’s list could be found cheaper at $118 elsewhere as opposed to $129 at the school, while Somerville House Prep came in at $129 as opposed to $177.

Raceview State School Year 1’s list could be bought for $107 as opposed to $131 at the school.

Individual items at Ascot State School such as 12 Bostik Blu glue sticks can be bought for $16 as opposed to $35 at the school.

Mr Blackburn said families were stull suffering from debt hangover from Christmas and it was important to budget for school items to balance the spend and ensure the child has the correct items.