For mother of six Sophia Hislop, planning is essential when it comes to getting her kids prepped for school.

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We caught up with the busy mom to ask what advice she can offer parents who want to reduce the costs involved with putting a child through school.

“I think the most important thing which factors into how much you will spend depends on the school your child will attend. The school fees are a set amount and thus should make up the bulk of your budget. Special arrangements can be made with the school regarding the school fees, however, this is not a given. My advice is to look at the school’s term programme to find out when there will be events or excursions that will require an additional fee so you can plan ahead and adjust your budget,” she said.

Sophia advised that most schools offer a discount if the school fees are paid in advance, so it is advisable to put aside your bonus for this purpose, if it is still available to you. She added that it is lucrative to put your bonus money in a separate account which will earn interest.

Buying stationery:

• If you are part of a rewards point system, save your points throughout the year to help with buying stationery.
• It is not necessary to buy new stationery at the start of each year. Go through the old stationery and see what is still usable.
• Buy stationery through the year as and when they are on special and keep them in a designated place. That way you can cut down on costs.
• Keep unused paper from old writing books for summaries and notes instead of buying new books for this purpose.
• Buy stationery that will last, not stationery that looks pretty. For this purpose it is best to leave the kids at home when you go shopping for stationery.

Buying school clothes:

• If you receive a voucher as a gift, use it to buy school clothes.
• Buy school clothes slightly larger than your child’s size so they can wear them longer.
• Only buy school shoes when needed as children do not wear them all year round, especially the younger ones.
• At the end of the season most stores will have a sale. Seize this opportunity to buy for next year.
• Only buy what is really needed.
• If you cannot afford to buy new clothes, go to the clothing bank. Also let your child ask at the clothing bank if they have lost an item of clothing to see if it was handed in. 

Catering for extramural activities:

• Extramural activities are a luxury, but most schools have extramural activities that are not expensive to take part in when compared to extramural activities elsewhere.
• When you enrol your child in extramural activities, ask what other costs might be involved.

Hislop encouraged parents to make use of lift clubs for the children. “It is not necessary to give your child tuck shop money every day. Rather teach them how to make their own lunchbox, you can help make it interesting and save money,” she concluded. Northern Academy Secondary School head of sport Oliver Moorcroft. Northern Academy Secondary School head of sport Oliver Moorcroft said there are plenty of ways to save money when the budget is tight for going back to school.

“I know all parents want the best for their children and it is not wrong, but buy the best that you can afford. Remember, do not overspend and do not fall for the pressure of society. Explain to your child why you do not buy certain products, because they will understand.”

Sporting equipment:  

• Look out for back-to-school specials from various stores.
• If you prefer new brands, rather buy at the outlet store of the specific brand or shop online.
• For shoes, visit big retailers who specialise in this regard as their prices will be more affordable.
• Name brands aren’t everything. Younger school learners grow out of their clothes and pair of boots quickly and these tend to only last one season. It is not wise to buy a R3 000 pair of rugby boots for a 14-year-old boy.
• Try and buy sports equipment second hand or on Facebook Marketplace.
• Do not buy on accounts or layby because it will cost you more in the end.
• Ask family members to get gift cards for a certain store for Christmas. In this way the child is able to choose what they like and you pay the excess if it costs more.