Back to school blues: Parents seek ways to cut costs
PARENTS preparing for their kids to head back to school are struggling to save a buck as uniform shops and book lists set strict rules — but there are still a few tricks to save hundreds of dollars.
Education
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PARENTS preparing for their kids to return to school are struggling to save a buck as uniform shops and book lists set strict rules — but there are still a few tricks to save hundreds of dollars.
VICTORIAN SCHOOLS FACE NEW RULES IN ABSENTEE CRACKDOWN
Back to school means back to the shops, with almost one million Victorian students returning to school at the end of January — more than half at primary and more than 400,000 at secondary.
An average primary school starter’s uniform and supplies costs upwards of $400, a Sunday Herald Sun survey found.
But Julia Holda, mother of Liana, 11, and Isabela, 12, had a few tricks up her sleeve and saved $150.
She admitted it had been difficult to reduce spending when both her daughters’ uniforms had to be bought from the school shop rather than cheaper shops.
“I nearly fell out of my chair,” she said after buying the summer and sports uniform for a private high school.
The second-hand book shop was also out, given her eldest daughter’s textbook list called for e-book “subscriptions” rather than hard copies.
Mrs Holda did make a $50 saving waiting for the back-to-school shoe sales ($99 from Clark’s) and cut a further $100 buying low-cost stationery.
“I avoid the top-end shops and can save 10 to 30 per cent not going to them,” she said.
Keeping an eye out for special deals also helped, including 20 per cent off at Officeworks for any identical stocked item on a school list seen cheaper in another store.
Parents Victoria executive officer Gail McHardy said parents had accepted school uniform shops’ costly clothing, where they once would have bought cheaper brands and ironed-on school crests.
“People are just compliant because it’s the school rules and policy — they have no option because they don’t want their student to be excluded,” she said.
But she did have one idea to keep spending down.
“Don’t go buying winter uniforms — wait,” she said.
“Get it as they go on. Boys’ growth particularly is quite exponential.”
Families really struggling to clothe their children could apply through their school for State Schools Relief assistance, Ms McHardy said.
Mrs Holda recommended families get their back-to-school shopping done as soon as possible — well in advance of the week before school starts (January 29 for most students).
“I find when you leave it to the last minute you panic, then your kids panic,” she said.
A total of 80,200 preps will begin school in 2018, while 72,900 students will transition from primary school to high school.
All prep students starting at government schools will receive a free library bag that includes advice and information for parents and activities for children.
Education Minister James Merlino said starting school, whether primary or secondary, was “a major milestone in a child and parent’s life”.
“Supporting kids and their families to feel prepared and ready for the start or next phase of their educational journey ensures our young Victorians will thrive at school,” Mr Merlino said.
SECONDHAND KEEPS FAMILY CASH IN HAND
MUM of four Minna Heiskari knows all about trying to cut costs during back-to-school time.
With three daughters at three different schools — two in secondary and one in primary school — she’s stuck to a tried a true measure all through their school lives.
“Everything (I buy is) secondhand,” she said.
Ms Heiskari said she hunted down used school books for any subjects that didn’t require ebooks and secondhand uniforms from the school shop.
“They’re really handy and they’re all in very good order,” said Ms Heiskari, a teacher’s aide at her youngest daughter’s Boneo Primary School.
Brita, 11, got “everything” secondhand, either from the shops or her older sisters.
“What’s the point in buying it new, in a week it all looks the same anyway,” she said.
But one thing she will always buy new is shoes.
“They are the most important thing, in my opinion,” she said.
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