Back to School Savings

By Adele Geradts

This article offers some ideas for cutting down the costs associated with getting everyone back to school.  It also offers some options fir finding assistance with those costs if you are looking for ways to meet those costs.

Buy uniforms second hand
There are so many ways to get your hands on second-hand uniforms, and it can save you a small fortune. Posting on Facebook and other social media sites such as Neighbourly will often turn up some cheap or even free uniform. Trade Me is also a good option for sourcing second-hand uniform. Some schools offer second-hand uniform sales. Shoe stores often have back to school deals as soon as the children have gone back to school
 
Cut your stationery costs
The chances are that you have pens, pencils, books and more leftover from previous years. Get the kids to go on a stationary hunt and then mark off what you already have. Even if you don't want to shop around, flick through the fliers and get your stationery shop of choice to match its competitors' prices. Finally, if the school won't give you a list and asks for a fixed sum of money, wait until your friends have their boxes, look at what you need and buy just that. If you really can't afford items for class sets such as colour pencils, don't buy them until you can pay for them.
 
Delay that BYOD purchase
BYOD children need to bring their own devices to school. There are some excellent arguments in favour of the educational value of a tablet. Last year's model will do, or a cheaper brand might be ok. If you delay buying until February, you'll find some good sales. Do carefully check the technical requirements with the school though – you don't want to risk purchasing a device that's incompatible with the software the kids will need to use.
 
Spread the cost
Ask your school if you can buy as you go. Often schools keep a stock of stationery at the same cheap prices that retailers sell the stuff for in January. Or only buy the absolute minimum number of uniform items at the beginning of the year and stock up as the seasons change. Retailers need to clear their stock because they know they won't sell much until next January.
Some schools will quietly cover the cost for you if you go to them and ask.

If you're struggling, go to Work and Income for a school assistance payment early. WINZ may be able to help with school uniforms and stationery if you're on a low income or a benefit. They may be able to help with the costs of some school fees and activities if there is an immediate and essential need for them. For example, 

• school camps
• trip costs
• school fees.

Some schools may ask that students have computing equipment, e.g., iPad, laptop or tablet. If you can't afford to buy these, WINZ may be able to help, but you need to talk to the school first to see what options are available to purchase via the school first.
If you're not on a benefit, you may be able to get a Recoverable Assistance Payment.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/recoverable-assistance-payment-grant.html
If you're on a benefit, you may be able to get an Advance Payment of Benefit.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/advance-payment-of-benefit.html

These loans are recoverable and do need to be paid back, but at least they're interest-free.
You can find more information here https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/children/school-costs.html