Even if your child is going to be attending a government funded school, rather than an independent school, there will still be various costs to consider and factor into your budgeting. The school uniform will probably be the largest outlay, especially as it has to be replaced as your child grows. It would be wise to purchase the uniform in a slightly bigger size so that your child has room to grow and be sure to sew in name tags so that if any of the items are misplaced, your child has a greater chance of getting it back.
Of course, then there’s all the extra supplies, like a school bag, stationery and any books they might need. While the back-to-school deals are great and certainly worth looking out for, it’s probably best not to leave the school shopping until the lost minute, because the costs will add up to an extortionate amount. Buying the items in instalments will help you spread out the costs. You could even consider scouting the local charity shops for some items to save you some pennies.
One of the big costs that are often forgotten are school trips and extra-curricular clubs. While these aren’t necessarily compulsory and can be quite costly, they’re certainly worth considering for the many benefits they provide for children. Some working parents may not have a choice, as their job commitments may make it difficult for them to pick their kids of from school until later on, meaning after school clubs are unavoidable.
Other costs to consider are the more mundane, everyday expenses, like lunches and commuting. It would be cheaper for your child to walk to school as opposed to getting the bus, but obviously this isn’t possible for everyone. Packed lunches are usually more affordable than school dinners and probably better because you are able to ensure your child is eating healthily. The trick is to just be mindful of ways you can reduce costs and keep things to a minimum.
*Collaborative Post
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