I’m a money-saving mum – my 5 tips to save £100 on last-minute back to school essentials including ‘save for later’ fund

WHETHER your child is heading to primary or secondary school in the autumn, sending the kids back to the classroom isn’t cheap. But author and influencer Gemma Bird, known as Money Mum, has revealed five tips to save up to £100 on back to school essentials. Gemma Bird has shared her tips on saving for back to school this September Credit: Olivia West There are savvy ways to save on last-minute back to school essentials Credit: Alamy Families could be spending over £15,500 on hidden costs including school clubs, uniforms and trips over a child’s school career, according to new Nationwide research. Fortunatly, there are ways to save on last-minute back to school shopping. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Gemma said: “At the end of a busy and expensive summer, the cost of back-to-school shopping can be confronting and when you’re shopping at the last minute, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. “My advice is not to panic; a little planning will still help you avoid unnecessary spending.” Here’s how you can save a small fortune. Carry out a stock check first Avoid an expensive back-to-school shopping spree by checking what you already have. Kids may ask for pens and colouring pencils, but look in the cupboard before you go out and buy new. There may be some stashed in there. The same goes for lunchboxes and water bottles. Check for cracks or leaks, then pack them for another year. Most read in Money Reusing a backpack could save between £15 and £30, while keeping last year’s lunchbox and water bottle could leave you £10 to £20 better off. Reusing a pencil case and stationery could save another £5 to £15, producing a total potential saving of £30 to £65. Gemma said: “When you’ve left things to the last minute, it’s easy to panic buy, resulting in impulsive and expensive purchases. “Take a beat to write a detailed shopping list, and before you spend anything, do a stock check of what you already have that could be reused. “Things like backpacks and pencil cases can be really durable and don’t necessarily need replacing every year just because your child wants a new colour or their favourite character.” If you do need to buy fresh supplies, take advantage of the back-to-school sales. It could be worth purchasing pens, glue sticks and highlighters for the full year ahead if you find a great deal. Own-brand is likely to be as good as more well-known products. Choose one splurge item Gemma said: “Involve your kids for one agreed splurge item (backpack, shoes, whatever matters most to them) but then do the rest of shopping solo. “You’ll move faster and stick to your budget, and the one splurge keeps them happy and stops the urge to overspend on everything else.” Even if you’re looking to spend a little more on one item, you can still make sure you’re not paying over the odds by comparing prices. Choosing own-brand products and shopping around could save between £5 and £15, depending on what you need to buy. To compare prices effectively, try using price comparison websites and apps like Trolley.co.uk, Google Shopping, or Idealo. These tools can help you find the best deals by comparing prices across multiple retailers. For example, Trolley allows you to scan items in-store and compare prices with other retailers, so you don’t have to make mulriple shopping trips to find the best deals. Additionally, be sure to check for discounts and promotions. Make the most of one-stop shops “Many parents are in the same situation after a busy summer, so take comfort in knowing others are in the same boat,” Gemma said. “Shopping online can be a convenient option to avoid the crowds and get your whole shop done in one go.” The savvy mum suggested checking out marketplaces like Amazon where you can browse everything you need and buy it all in one order. She added: “Prime members can also benefit from fast, free delivery, making it even easier and more convenient to pick up those final essentials at speed.” An Amazon Prime membership costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year, so don’t fork out for one if you don’t think you’ll use it for anything else. Remember that shopping in one place might save time or travel costs, but it will not necessarily be cheaper. Compare the total cost of your basket before buying. Remember household essentials If you add up all the extra school-related costs over the year, you’ll likely be looking at hundreds of pounds. Gemma said: “It’s easy to forget about the everyday household items you’ll need too; think laundry detergent for all those school uniform washes, school-friendly snacks for packed lunches and other household staples you’ll be reaching for regularly. “Use these final days to get stocked up, but rather than adding another supermarket trip to your busy to-do list, make the most of the smart shopping tools. “For example, Amazon Subscribe & Save offers savings on repeat deliveries which save you both money and time. A lifesaver once the school routine is back underway.” Discounts on repeat household purchases could save around £5 to £10, although you should compare prices with other retailers and make sure you need everything before committing to regular deliveries. Avoid being caught out by creating a savings pot. Check if your bank account offers this and, if not, put money aside at home. That way, you won’t be caught out. The ‘Save Some for Later’ fund Gemma said: “One important reminder is that back-to-school shopping doesn’t mean everything needs to be purchased before term starts. “Create a list of things that are genuinely needed for the first few days – a school bag, uniform, notepads and pens – and then a separate list of items that can be bought throughout the term such as a raincoat, other seasonal essentials or forgotten items.” Gemma said she creates a “contingency budget” for these items that she calls her “Save Some for Later” fund. It means that she’s not caught out by expected purchases throughout the term. We’ve put together a guide to seven easy 5 minute money hacks that could save you £1,981 and get your contingency fund together. Comment now