Back to School
Unfortunately, right on the heels of Christmas and holidays comes back to school time. And we all know just how expensive that can be with new uniforms, shoes, backpacks, books and pencils, even the simple lunchbox has become a designer item.
For most families it's a case of get what the list and handbook say they need and worry about how to pay for it later.
It doesn't have to be that way. There are some simple tips and tricks that will get your kids back to school and keep your budget in the black.
The back to school sales have started and the junk mail is so pretty at the moment. Lots of lovely new books and pencils and colour co-ordinated folders, desk sets and lunch packs.
I have to confess: I am a stationery addict. So far I've drooled over the Office Works, BiLo, Coles, Safeway, Kmart and Target catalogues. I've even had a peek at some of the websites. I've made a couple of lists of things we need. After all it's the start of a new school year and I can't possibly send the kids to school with last years pencil cases - or can I?
A quick add-up of the booklist and it became quite clear that if I bought everything on the three booklists, new, I'd be spending close to $150 just on stationery. Ouch! So a quick look in the present box (for the pretty pencil case and some cute Textas) and a good look through the linen cupboard revealed just about everything we need.
I already had a stash of pens, pencils, rulers, paper, ring binders, display folders and pencil cases. And of course there's nothing wrong with the scissors, stapler and calculators from last year.
The pencil cases have come up almost like new after a soak in some detergent and a gentle scrub. I found a tape measure, a packet of needles and a tin of pins to go into the sewing kit for Home Ec, saving me from buying these new too.
All in all, there's very little left on the list to buy and I'm a very happy mum. Our budget is intact, the kids are outfitted with their stationery requirements and I've managed to clear out a few shelves in the linen cupboard.
I could have easily run out and bought up big, those catalogues do look nice, and spent a lot of money. Instead, by looking around home and using what we have on hand, I've saved not only money, but time and energy too.
So, before you automatically hit the back to school sales, shop at the Mum Shop first. Save some money, time and energy before you hit the shops.
For most families it's a case of get what the list and handbook say they need and worry about how to pay for it later.
It doesn't have to be that way. There are some simple tips and tricks that will get your kids back to school and keep your budget in the black.
The back to school sales have started and the junk mail is so pretty at the moment. Lots of lovely new books and pencils and colour co-ordinated folders, desk sets and lunch packs.
I have to confess: I am a stationery addict. So far I've drooled over the Office Works, BiLo, Coles, Safeway, Kmart and Target catalogues. I've even had a peek at some of the websites. I've made a couple of lists of things we need. After all it's the start of a new school year and I can't possibly send the kids to school with last years pencil cases - or can I?
A quick add-up of the booklist and it became quite clear that if I bought everything on the three booklists, new, I'd be spending close to $150 just on stationery. Ouch! So a quick look in the present box (for the pretty pencil case and some cute Textas) and a good look through the linen cupboard revealed just about everything we need.
I already had a stash of pens, pencils, rulers, paper, ring binders, display folders and pencil cases. And of course there's nothing wrong with the scissors, stapler and calculators from last year.
The pencil cases have come up almost like new after a soak in some detergent and a gentle scrub. I found a tape measure, a packet of needles and a tin of pins to go into the sewing kit for Home Ec, saving me from buying these new too.
All in all, there's very little left on the list to buy and I'm a very happy mum. Our budget is intact, the kids are outfitted with their stationery requirements and I've managed to clear out a few shelves in the linen cupboard.
I could have easily run out and bought up big, those catalogues do look nice, and spent a lot of money. Instead, by looking around home and using what we have on hand, I've saved not only money, but time and energy too.
So, before you automatically hit the back to school sales, shop at the Mum Shop first. Save some money, time and energy before you hit the shops.
Back-to-School Money, Time and Energy Saving Resources
Back to School Tips
It can cost a fortune to outfit kids for school if you let it. These tips will give you ideas for re-using, recycling and making do before you have to put your hand in your pocket to pay out for new stuff.
It can cost a fortune to outfit kids for school if you let it. These tips will give you ideas for re-using, recycling and making do before you have to put your hand in your pocket to pay out for new stuff.
Back to School on a Budget
Getting everything ready for that first day back to school rush takes a little organization and if you're watching your spending more than a little creativity. Cheapskates Club members have shared some of their back to school secrets and we've put them into this tip sheet you can print.
Getting everything ready for that first day back to school rush takes a little organization and if you're watching your spending more than a little creativity. Cheapskates Club members have shared some of their back to school secrets and we've put them into this tip sheet you can print.
Tasty School Lunchbox Ideas
Use this list of tasty ideas to put together lunches everyone will love. Choose a grain, a protein (or two) and something from the fruit and vegetable list to create taste bud tempting lunches.
Use this list of tasty ideas to put together lunches everyone will love. Choose a grain, a protein (or two) and something from the fruit and vegetable list to create taste bud tempting lunches.
Cheapskates Guide How to Cover School Books
It's that time of year again, when Mums and Dads and kids are covered in tape and contact, when wrapping paper is being hacked and magazines are being searched for pretty pictures.
Yes - it's back to school book covering season.
Some homes aren't quite there yet - they don't get book packs until school goes back. Then they'll have a frantic weekend of tussling with contact and labels.
After many years of covering books (18 all up by the time all three children had finished school!) this simple method of covering books had them done in no time.
It's that time of year again, when Mums and Dads and kids are covered in tape and contact, when wrapping paper is being hacked and magazines are being searched for pretty pictures.
Yes - it's back to school book covering season.
Some homes aren't quite there yet - they don't get book packs until school goes back. Then they'll have a frantic weekend of tussling with contact and labels.
After many years of covering books (18 all up by the time all three children had finished school!) this simple method of covering books had them done in no time.
From the Tip Store
A Month of School Lunches Prepped in 30 Minutes Saves $150 a Month
By Robyn Neal
I co-share looking after my Granddaughter, who is now 11, with her father, my son. Son was complaining how much it costs to give her a good lunch and what she brings home. The school has daily meals for $4.95 so she gets one every fortnight, usually when they have made the lasagne, as a treat for doing jobs around the place.
So I came up with a monthly meal plan for her for the coming year.
I thought it might give others ideas to save money and have their lunches ready all the time. It takes about 15-25 minutes a month prepare a whole month of lunches.
First you need a box of sandwich ziplock bags and a box of large ziplock bags. Aldi is the cheapest for these. If your child doesn't throw them out they can be reused over and over.
My granddaughter eats 1-1/2 sandwiches a day so we need 60 slices of bread for the month. I buy four loaves of bread a month for meals. Count the slices. Wonder soft and Aldi are the better buys for bread.
Fillings:
36 slices of cheese.
100g sliced ham
100g sliced chicken
100 g of beef
6 slices of salami
5 slices of smiley fritz.
I buy shaved meat, it's enough for the bread.
You don't use all the meat, which can be made into extra sandwiches for your lunches, and which can be frozen to save more money.
Step 1. Butter all the bread. Cut 20 slices in half.
Step 2. Put cheese on 20 whole slices and a half slice on 10 pieces of the bread that is cut in half.
Step 3. Put meat on the bread, add the top slice to make a sandwich and 1-1/2 sandwiches into each ziplock bag.
Step 4. Mark the bags with C+H, C+C, C+S, C+F, C+B so you know which one they are getting.
Step 5. Mark 20 large ziplock bags Monday - Friday (four of each day). Place one of each type of sandwich into each ziplock bag.
She likes muesli bars so she gets two a day. She travels on a bus and its 3/4 hour from school to bus stop here so she eats the second bar on her way home. We need 40 muesli bars per month. They are either bought on special, or what I make for her. Add 10 muesli bars to each large ziplock bag, they freeze alright.
She also likes custard or fruit in tubs. They are expensive to buy in individual sizes so I bought some containers from a cheap shop. I bought four packets of 6 for about $2; they will last long time and are good value. We put a mixture of custard, fruit and yoghurt into the tubs. I also have plastic spoons (she has lost a lot of spoons) to go with them. I have also given her left over desserts we have had the night before (cream freezes well). I freeze these tubs in the bags with the sandwiches and bars.
In a lidded container I have chips and popcorn for her. They stay fine,
Fruit is bought, whatever is in season and she gets 2-3 pieces a day so we buy that each week. She also gets a small container of salad food if she wants it and we have it in. She loves red capsicum, salad leaves, grated carrot and pickled onions.
In summer I add a frozen fruit box as it keep her lunch cold. She also has water that is frozen (the school has tank water). Frozen grapes are a favourite. I put them next to the drink container to keep them frozen and she says they are like lollies.
Doing this is easy and saves going to the supermarket, saving us over $150 a month not buying bits we don't want or need.
She doesn't like wraps so they are a waste of money. Best of all she eats most of what I make. I also put in a piece of homemade cake or a couple of biscuits for her.
We try to keep her lunch as homemade as we can, as well as cheap as possible while still being tasty, healthy and appetising.
By Robyn Neal
I co-share looking after my Granddaughter, who is now 11, with her father, my son. Son was complaining how much it costs to give her a good lunch and what she brings home. The school has daily meals for $4.95 so she gets one every fortnight, usually when they have made the lasagne, as a treat for doing jobs around the place.
So I came up with a monthly meal plan for her for the coming year.
I thought it might give others ideas to save money and have their lunches ready all the time. It takes about 15-25 minutes a month prepare a whole month of lunches.
First you need a box of sandwich ziplock bags and a box of large ziplock bags. Aldi is the cheapest for these. If your child doesn't throw them out they can be reused over and over.
My granddaughter eats 1-1/2 sandwiches a day so we need 60 slices of bread for the month. I buy four loaves of bread a month for meals. Count the slices. Wonder soft and Aldi are the better buys for bread.
Fillings:
36 slices of cheese.
100g sliced ham
100g sliced chicken
100 g of beef
6 slices of salami
5 slices of smiley fritz.
I buy shaved meat, it's enough for the bread.
You don't use all the meat, which can be made into extra sandwiches for your lunches, and which can be frozen to save more money.
Step 1. Butter all the bread. Cut 20 slices in half.
Step 2. Put cheese on 20 whole slices and a half slice on 10 pieces of the bread that is cut in half.
Step 3. Put meat on the bread, add the top slice to make a sandwich and 1-1/2 sandwiches into each ziplock bag.
Step 4. Mark the bags with C+H, C+C, C+S, C+F, C+B so you know which one they are getting.
Step 5. Mark 20 large ziplock bags Monday - Friday (four of each day). Place one of each type of sandwich into each ziplock bag.
She likes muesli bars so she gets two a day. She travels on a bus and its 3/4 hour from school to bus stop here so she eats the second bar on her way home. We need 40 muesli bars per month. They are either bought on special, or what I make for her. Add 10 muesli bars to each large ziplock bag, they freeze alright.
She also likes custard or fruit in tubs. They are expensive to buy in individual sizes so I bought some containers from a cheap shop. I bought four packets of 6 for about $2; they will last long time and are good value. We put a mixture of custard, fruit and yoghurt into the tubs. I also have plastic spoons (she has lost a lot of spoons) to go with them. I have also given her left over desserts we have had the night before (cream freezes well). I freeze these tubs in the bags with the sandwiches and bars.
In a lidded container I have chips and popcorn for her. They stay fine,
Fruit is bought, whatever is in season and she gets 2-3 pieces a day so we buy that each week. She also gets a small container of salad food if she wants it and we have it in. She loves red capsicum, salad leaves, grated carrot and pickled onions.
In summer I add a frozen fruit box as it keep her lunch cold. She also has water that is frozen (the school has tank water). Frozen grapes are a favourite. I put them next to the drink container to keep them frozen and she says they are like lollies.
Doing this is easy and saves going to the supermarket, saving us over $150 a month not buying bits we don't want or need.
She doesn't like wraps so they are a waste of money. Best of all she eats most of what I make. I also put in a piece of homemade cake or a couple of biscuits for her.
We try to keep her lunch as homemade as we can, as well as cheap as possible while still being tasty, healthy and appetising.
Lunchbox Practice
by Julie
To assist your child for their first day of preschool or school try packing their lunchbox for them everyday a few weeks beforehand and guide them on how to open, close and pack their container back into their bags. This will give them a giant boost to self-esteem, confidence and self help skills when they finally arrive at their place of learning. Take them with you when purchasing their lunch boxes and drink bottles and let them choose the easiest ones for them to handle.
by Julie
To assist your child for their first day of preschool or school try packing their lunchbox for them everyday a few weeks beforehand and guide them on how to open, close and pack their container back into their bags. This will give them a giant boost to self-esteem, confidence and self help skills when they finally arrive at their place of learning. Take them with you when purchasing their lunch boxes and drink bottles and let them choose the easiest ones for them to handle.
Button Savers
by Debra
To save buttons on shirts (especially school shirts!) dab a little clear nail polish on the back of the button and across the centre front. This will help to stop the thread from coming undone and the buttons will stay on much, much longer.
by Debra
To save buttons on shirts (especially school shirts!) dab a little clear nail polish on the back of the button and across the centre front. This will help to stop the thread from coming undone and the buttons will stay on much, much longer.
Set Up a School Supply Jar
Queensland schools have started the 2018 year, the rest of Australia follows next week, and budgets everywhere are being stretched till they scream with the expense.
Every new school year, your child will probably have some hefty expenses for, say, a pricey calculator or a rental fee for a musical instrument. Then there will be the excursions, incursions and camps.
Be prepared for the big and small expected and unexpected school year expenses by setting up a separate fund for school necessities. It can be as simple as a jar into which you put spare change from your wallet every day. Before you know it, you'll have money saved up to cover this year's expenses, and possibly the next's. It's painless saving, and will save a lot of stress when those notes come home from school.
Queensland schools have started the 2018 year, the rest of Australia follows next week, and budgets everywhere are being stretched till they scream with the expense.
Every new school year, your child will probably have some hefty expenses for, say, a pricey calculator or a rental fee for a musical instrument. Then there will be the excursions, incursions and camps.
Be prepared for the big and small expected and unexpected school year expenses by setting up a separate fund for school necessities. It can be as simple as a jar into which you put spare change from your wallet every day. Before you know it, you'll have money saved up to cover this year's expenses, and possibly the next's. It's painless saving, and will save a lot of stress when those notes come home from school.
Beat the School Sock Eating Monster
by Caroline C
School and sports uniform socks can cost up to $10 a pair but are easily lost, so here is a tip to help kids keep track of their own socks, whether in change rooms or in the clean laundry basket. A few minutes spent colour coding can save heaps of time, prevent arguments and enable quick matching, especially in the morning rush. First gather all socks from hiding places, launder if needed and sort out sufficient wearable pairs for each child. Bulk buy at the start of school year when fresh stocks are needed. Using a cotton bud or brush, dab a dot of acrylic interior or exterior house paint on the toe of each sock, with a change of colour for the next person. When dry it will outlast the sock. If you don't have any buy a few small sample pots at the hardware shop. Lastly, let kids take responsibility for sorting and putting away their own clean socks using their own colour code. Even if kids have identical sized feet, when it comes to mornings the dots will soon show who has left their dirty school socks in the garden, under the bed, etc. and who is organised and ready to go. This tip has saved my sanity with no nagging needed, especially as our school has discipline points for not wearing the correct uniform, including socks. Less replacements needed too.
by Caroline C
School and sports uniform socks can cost up to $10 a pair but are easily lost, so here is a tip to help kids keep track of their own socks, whether in change rooms or in the clean laundry basket. A few minutes spent colour coding can save heaps of time, prevent arguments and enable quick matching, especially in the morning rush. First gather all socks from hiding places, launder if needed and sort out sufficient wearable pairs for each child. Bulk buy at the start of school year when fresh stocks are needed. Using a cotton bud or brush, dab a dot of acrylic interior or exterior house paint on the toe of each sock, with a change of colour for the next person. When dry it will outlast the sock. If you don't have any buy a few small sample pots at the hardware shop. Lastly, let kids take responsibility for sorting and putting away their own clean socks using their own colour code. Even if kids have identical sized feet, when it comes to mornings the dots will soon show who has left their dirty school socks in the garden, under the bed, etc. and who is organised and ready to go. This tip has saved my sanity with no nagging needed, especially as our school has discipline points for not wearing the correct uniform, including socks. Less replacements needed too.
