We’re over halfway through August and if you’re a parent, this only means one thing – your children are almost back at school!

Depending which country you’re based in, your kids may already be back at school, but due to the pandemic, they may also not be. September is usually the month when most children head back fro the new term but whatever the case may be, we’re pretty sure that you’ve had to spend a fair amount of money on buying your kid’s school supplies (or you will have to in a the next few weeks!). With that in mind, now is a great time to think about money saving when the children are back at school and settled in their normal routine.

Whether your children are really tiny, just learnt to walk, are running about the house like crazy or are slightly older, we’ve been thinking about ALL the parents getting their kids ready for the new school term and the amount you have to buy them; new school clothes, stationery, lunch boxes, pencil cases – the list can seem endless! But don’t panic, once the kids are actually back at school there are some great things you can do to save cash and not spend as much as you might have done over the school holidays.

Have a look at a few of our ideas…

“Do we really need it?” – before you buy anything, ask yourself whether you really need it or, if it’s a luxury, whether you can justify the cost. For example, there are several very expensive baby products that are marketed as must-haves that you simply don’t need. You can end up saving yourself a lot of money by asking this one simple question.

Take advantage of free days out – taking the kids out for the day doesn’t have to cost you a fortune; there are plenty of places you can go and things you can do that won’t cost much at all. A park, museum, swimming pool or bookstore all make for a great day out (as long as they are open at the moment!) – and if you take food along with you, you won’t have to spend money on anything whilst you’re out and about. Look online for vouchers that give you money off activities too.

Try to plan your meals – planning your weekly meals, including your children’s lunch packs, can save you money and prevent all those pricey impulse buys you succumb to when you’re at the store – especially if you’ve taken your child along too as they usually ask for everything they see. Write a shopping list before you go and stick to it, or do your grocery shop online as you’re less likely to stray away from your list.

Start re-selling – lots of parents are happy to buy second hand and we think it’s a great way to save money, so why not save anything your child isn’t using anymore and sell it on to someone else. Make sure the condition of the item you want to sell is good and you’ll have no trouble getting rid of it. This way, you’re making money at the same time as saving it which is always a bonus!

Choose neutral colors – if you’ve got more than one little one in the family it’ll save you a fortune if you choose unisex clothing. Staying away from blues and pinks and sticking with whites and yellows is a smart, money-saving decision – you’ll be maximising your hand-me-down potential! Lots of baby clothes can be worn by both sexes so it just helps with the finances if they share. Plus, a lot of the neutral color clothes are just as cute as the blues and pinks.