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Back to School
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03 July 2025
Back to School
Getting ready for the new school term can be a significant expense, with many families often struggling to budget. There are lots of different ways though to reduce these costs and to get support.
Back-to-school shopping on a budget: Tips for parents
By Mandy Burrell
Getting ready for the new school term can be a significant expense, with many families often struggling to budget. Summer break costs and the need for new uniforms and supplies can quickly add up. If you're facing financial challenges, back-to-school shopping can be particularly stressful.
It's completely normal to feel anxious or embarrassed if you can't afford brand-new items for your children, or worry about how they might feel compared to their friends. However, there are ways to reduce costs and support available for families in need. There are also a few things to consider before you even start shopping on a budget, from seeing what you have already, to maximising your income.
How to save money on back-to-school shopping
7 things to consider before you start shopping on a budget
There are a range of different benefits and grants available to families, so make sure you're getting everything you're entitled to. If you or your partner are getting certain benefits, you may be eligible for the Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grants School Age Payment. You could also see if you can apply for a school clothing grant from your local council, and you can find out about more family benefits and available support here.
Before you hit the stores for back-to-school supplies, take a look at what you already have at home. You might be surprised to find unused exercise books, leftover packs of pencils, lunchboxes and backpacks, still in good condition. Involve your children in this process too; many are keen on protecting the environment and will be eager to help. Repurposing these items can save you both time and money.
Ensure you know your school's uniform policy, which items need branding, and where you can buy them. You can find this information from your school handbook, on their website, or you can just contact the school to check. School uniforms with logos often need to be purchased from specific retailers, or if you want to be really savvy, most schools have arrangements where you can source pre-loved uniforms. Or, there are often other community initiatives available to find these items; you can find a list here. Local Facebook groups are another great option, where you can find out about uniform clothes swapping
If your child's uniform doesn't have to be branded, then you can start thinking about hunting for the best deals on budget-friendly clothing, in the school's colours instead.
If your children are in secondary school, they will have growing needs around sportswear and tech equipment, such as laptops. Some schools, charities, and schemes offer second-hand laptops for schoolwork, so check with your school or local council for information about these resources.
It’s also worth asking family members, friends, neighbours, or colleagues if their children have outgrown their uniforms and they’re happy to pass these on. Again, it's another opportunity to reduce costs and protect the environment.
Now that you’ve made some enquiries and figured out which back-to-school essentials you can get for free, make a list of all the items you still need to buy for the school year ahead.
From that list, start to create a budget by first prioritising essential over non-essential items, considering any items of clothing still needed, books, stationery, sports kits, shoes, devices, lunch boxes and school bags. Determine how much you're able to spend and allocate amounts for each.
Get your children involved too, if that's a possibility. Maybe they have a little bit of money saved, or they might have their own ideas, and this can be an important lesson in financial literacy. There are also plenty of budgeting tools that can be really helpful.
Savvy shopping on a budget-make your money go the extra mile
So you’ve done the groundwork and know which items you’ve already got in, which items you can get for free, what grants and benefits you're entitled to, and what you're budget is.
How can you get the best deals for your money?
Firstly, don't feel pressured to buy everything at once. Spread out your shopping to avoid overspending and keep to your budget. Think about what you need to buy now and what can wait until later on in the year, such as winter coats.
Whether it’s for clothes, books, stationery or sports kits, shopping second-hand is a brilliant option. Charity shops are fantastic places to find these back-to-school essentials on a budget and even more, including bags, lunch boxes and coats. They can be just as good as new ones but at a fraction of the cost. There are also plenty of online second-hand options. Facebook Marketplace and online thrift stores are excellent resources for finding second-hand and sometimes unused, back-to-school essentials.
If you can carve out the time, it's definitely worth comparing prices online before making a purchase, to ensure you're getting the best deal. Buying back-to-school supplies from multiple retailers can often save you money.
Remember that bulk buying, especially with staples like pencils, crayons, and notebooks, can save you money too.
During the back-to-school season, various retail stores offer weekly clearance and promotional events, especially around the end of June and July. Supermarkets and some other retailers announce their sales in advance, so keep an eye on this online and in-store for announcements. Try and plan your shopping around this so you can snag the best deals.
Don’t hesitate to reach out for help and support.
Remember, the most important thing is that your children feel supported going back to school. If you would like further help on how to maximise income from benefits and grants, or some signposting within the local community, then please do get in touch with us.