Tips to save on back-to-school shopping this year
Cut costs while teaching your kids valuable life skills, says financial expert Lesley-Anne Scorgie
Originally published August 25.
The start of the school year is just around the corner, and for many parents that means dishing out several hundred dollars for school supplies and mandatory fees.
According to a recent survey of 1,506 Canadians by RetailMeNot, parents expect to spend an average of $472 on back-to-school shopping for each child, up $143 from their forecast last year.
That's in addition to the Calgary Board of Education's fees for the 2016-17 year, which include:
- Junior high mandatory supplies: $137
- Senior high mandatory supplies: $152
- Bus: $335
- Music class: $100
If you're looking to save some money, here are some tips from financial consultant Lesley-Anne Scorgie.
1. Don't duplicate
Take an inventory of the necessary school materials that you already have, so that you're not tempted to accidentally repurchase them while shopping.
"A pencil yesterday is the same as it is today, as it will be tomorrow," she told CBC Calgary News at 6.
"Don't duplicate. It's wasteful for your finances, but also for the environment."
2. Focus, focus, focus
"School is not a fashion show," Scorgie said.
"When you're looking to save money, you want to focus on the things that will actually help your child learn."
That means forgoing fashion and trendy toys, and focusing on real education tools, whether those be books, games or technology.
3. Bargain hunt
Do your research before you head to the store. Scorgie recommends looking for sales and clipping coupons.
You may be able to find better deals online, or in bulk, she said.
4. Buy secondhand
When it comes to electronics, Scorgie recommends spending a little extra money on a higher quality computer or laptop that will last four to five years.
"If that's simply out of the question, look at the second-hand market," she said.
Online buy or swap sites, Kijiji, and other classified ads may help you find a good deal.
5. Get your kids to chip in
If your child has a part-time job and they're pressuring you to purchase a non-essential or luxury item, or if they have expensive taste, have them contribute to help cover the costs, Scorgie says.
"That is not going to be a hardship for them if they're making some of their own money. It will also teach them the value of a dollar," she said.
"You might actually have the opportunity to teach your child to budget, which is a great life skill."
With files from CBC Calgary News at 6