6 Strategies To Save Money On Back To School Expenses

Overview

• 6 Strategies To Save Money On Back To School Expenses
• Tips To Help You Save Ahead Of Time

The best place to start planning for your back-to-school expenses is to create a budget and stick to it. Budgets allow you to allocate how much money you expect to spend on each type of expense. Split your expenses into essential and nonessential expenses – this will help you know what to cut if you need to save money.

Now that you have your budget made, let’s dive into the 6 strategies to help you save money on your back-to-school expenses.

1. Buy Second-Hand Uniforms

While your kids are growing up and going through school, their uniforms are going to be a big expense each year. When purchasing school uniforms, look for second-hand items that are in great condition. This can sometimes save you half the cost, giving you a great deal.

Kids grow fast, which means that they will outgrow their school uniforms quickly. When purchasing school uniforms, look to go an extra size up. This will give your school uniforms some extra time as your kids are growing, meaning you won’t have to buy them new ones next year.

2. Shop The Sales On Equipment and Technology

One of your biggest back-to-school expenses is equipment and technology like school bags, books, stationery, and a laptop. There are so many different brands available on the market so it is important to shop around. Look for the best sales and compare different retailers. 

When you are searching for a laptop, and if your budget allows, make sure you get a mid to high-range laptop. By getting a good laptop, you may get more time out of the laptop, saving you more money than replacing a cheaper one that is likely to break. Get a cover and case as well to keep the device safe during transport from school to home. 

If you need help purchasing a laptop. a personal loan can help you make sure you get a reliable laptop.

3. Plan Lunches For The Week

Buying ingredients in bulk and preparing lunches at home for your kids can reduce your food costs. Make a shopping list and avoid purchasing unnecessary food items for snacks. Look to purchase cold meats such as chicken or ham, which are cheap and perfect options to make sandwiches or wraps for lunches. 

Cooking at home is cheaper and more nutritious than purchasing lunch at the school canteen. Use lunch orders at the canteen as a reward every fortnight or month as a reward for finishing homework. This will help you save money and may even give your kids motivation to put effort into their classes and learning.

4. Budget for Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities like school camps or excursions can creep up and force you to find extra money fast. In your budget, set aside some extra money that can be used for these activities. 

These school activities are usually not too expensive but can catch you off guard. The best thing you can do is add more to your budget so you are prepared and no one misses out.

5. Label Everything

In a busy classroom, kids will typically forget which laptops, stationery or books are theirs and accidentally take the wrong ones home. The easiest way to prevent you from having to purchase these items again is to label everything. 

Labelling your kid’s equipment and stationery makes it very easy to determine if the items are theirs or not. For parents, repurchasing the same items can add up, especially if it happens frequently.

6. Push Back Any Unessential Expenses

Sometimes, it becomes a habit to purchase new items like school uniforms, laptops and stationery each year when the old ones are in perfect working condition. Consider if these items need to be purchased or if you could use them for another year. If you have multiple kids in school, repurpose these items and pass them down to your younger children.

Plan out how much you can save per week to put towards school expenses.  Some of the best ways to save some extra money include:

• The start of school holidays usually happens right before New Year’s, use this as an indicator to start saving for the back-to-school expenses.
• Shop during the Black Friday and Boxing Day sales to get some early deals. If you miss these, retailers will usually do back-to-school sales.
• Use big-ticket items like a laptop as a Christmas gift to save money. Because it is such a big purchase, your kids will be very happy.
• Budgeting an extra $50 per week would give you an extra $2,600 per year to ease the pressure of school bills.
• Search marketplaces like Gumtree, Facebook marketplace or eBay for some great second-hand deals – think uniforms, stationary or unused books.

Prepare for back-to-school expenses with Red Tree Finance

Now that you are aware of those back-to-school expenses, it is time to start saving and budgeting. If you still need some extra financial help, Red Tree Finance can help. We offer same-day and instant loans up to $5,000 to help you shop those back-to-school sales.

What is the average amount spent on back to school?

In 2025, the average amount of money spent on school supplies is $694 for primary school students and $1,149 for secondary school students. The amount of money you will need depends on what items need to be purchased. 

What is a good budget for back to school shopping?

A good budget for back to school shopping depends on what you plan to reuse. For example, if you just need supplies and school uniforms, then aim for a budget of $500. However, if you need to purchase a laptop, supplies and school uniforms, then you may need to budget around $1,500. 

What is the average school fee in Australia?

In 2025, the average school fees are:

For primary school: 

• $780 in fee/voluntary contributions
• $694 in school supplies
• $1,197 in other costs

For Secondary school: 

• $2,231 in fee/voluntary contributions
• $1,149 in school supplies
• $1,663 in other costs

The information provided in this blog is of a general nature and is provided without considering your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial, investment, or other professional advice.

Before making any financial decisions or taking action based on the information presented, you are strongly encouraged to assess its appropriateness in light of your individual circumstances. Red Tree Finance does not intend to provide personalised financial advice, and you should seek independent financial, legal, tax, and other relevant advice tailored to your unique situation.