These mums prove being thrifty doesn’t mean daggy this back-to-school season

Everyone’s looking to save a dollar or two wherever they can, but for these Aussie mums, that just means thinking outside the box.

With approximately 5 million Australians expected to spend an average of $512 each on back-to-school-related merchandise, many parents have been looking for ways to get their kids gear without the hefty cost.

Many parents around the country are looking for tips and tricks to help the transition back to school as affordable as possible, and these two mums have proven how likely (and stylish) it can be.

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A one-of-a-kind lunchbox

With parents sharing their hacks and tips to socials, Rabia, @lifewithlittleones__, created the ultimate lunchbox kit on a budget using Kmart products and custom Cricut waterproof stickers! 

As her daughter, Reyyan, gets ready to start preschool this year, she wanted to make her a lunchbox that would suit her style while keeping the pack affordable.

"My daughter is starting prep this year; it is a huge milestone in our life as we've always been together. I can't believe my eldest baby is growing up," she told Kidspot.

"I wanted to make this experience special by customising a lunchbox set for her. By doing this, she has also been looking forward to her first day."

She picked up from Kmart a Pink Bento Snack Box, Lunch Box with Cutlery and Unicorns Insulated Case and Bottle Set, which are everything she needs for the year ahead, costing only $30. 

Using her inkjet printer and Cricut Joy Xtra, she used Cricut Printable Waterproof Sticker Set, using only one sheet of the set, to personalise with her daughter's name and flowers, as requested. 

She shared her DIY project, commenting, "It is so practical and easy to make custom stickers". 

The personalised design makes it easy to stand out from the other kids' lunches, ensuring her's makes it home from school instead of the dreaded lost and found pile many parents are all too familiar with. 

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A special lunchbox for a special milestone. Source: Provided

A step in a cool direction

Mum of five, Lauren, also known as @twinsplusthree, shared how she's organising her kids for school by creating custom shoes. 

She purchased Kmart Senior Slip On Shoes for only $3.50 and used Cricut Smart Iron On to create custom shoes with an adorable candy heart design for her daughters. 

She also shared how she recycled some scrap iron from a previous project, using her Cricut Maker 3 to create a pair of dinosaur-themed shoes to perfectly suit her son's interests.

When we asked Lauren why she decided to customise shoes for her kids, she told Kidspot, "I enjoy crafting, and I found an inspiring project on Cricut Design Space. 

"Transforming affordable shoes into something special for my kids brings me joy and allows me to add a personal touch to their footwear."

In addition to these projects, parents can save even further by upcycling school gear from previous years into trendy pieces. 

"The twins are thrilled with their new shoes. Hux practically lives in his, and Scout loves the matching pair with me," she shared. 

"They enjoy proudly sharing with others that Mum made their shoes, adding an extra special touch to their excitement."

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Who would have thought such a simple pair of shoes could look so cool? Source: Provided

Crunching numbers

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) reports that 44% of surveyed parents plan to spend more on back-to-school items this year. 

About 14% intend to spend over $1,000, while 10% plan to spend less than $100. 

ARA CEO Paul Zahra hopes this spending will boost retail trade in 2024. 

The most popular purchases are stationery, school uniforms, footwear, and books. 

Originally published as These mums prove being thrifty doesn’t mean daggy this back-to-school season