Aussie families are expected to spend an average of $538 per child on school supplies and uniforms in 2020, representing a $62 or 13% increase on last year, according to YouGov’s Annual Back to School Research Report, commissioned by BIG W.
Money-saving expert and author of Kill Bills!, Joel Gibson says there are some simple money solutions to help you save during back to school shopping.
Advance planning: The research shows that early shoppers spend less. Just as you would with any other big-ticket item, do your research, look around and compare brands and prices. You’ll be surprised at the savings that can be made by shopping early.
Fly solo at the shops: Pester power is real! Two-thirds of Aussie parents (65%) say they overspend on school supplies by buying non-essential items thanks to their eager shopping companions. So if you’re keen to save that extra cash, play it safe and leave the kids at home.
Get it online: Purchasing behaviour is changing rapidly with the average proportion of online shopping for back to school increasing by nearly 10% from 2019. It’s a great strategy for those wanting to stick strictly to the essentials on the list. In-store pick-up is another great option to save on delivery costs.
Next year, try ‘before pay’: To minimise the impact on your household budget, write ‘before pay’ on a large jar, stick $10 in it every week this year and by next January, you’ll have $520 and back to school will be a breeze.
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