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Back to school on a budget

Finance expert, Officeworks spokesperson and mum-of-two Justine Davies shares her money-saving tips to help you get back to school on a budget.

Make a list
‘Like grocery shopping, stocking up on back-to-school supplies is much more efficient if you enter the store with a list,’ Justine says. ‘Going in with a plan will help you navigate through the store and can minimise impulse buys and mistakes.’

Buy quality
It might hurt a bit at the cash register, but buying well-made, durable items pays off in the long run. ‘Parents don’t have time to be replacing broken or worn-out clothes and equipment halfway through term one!’ Justine says.

Label everything
Does your child have a habit of misplacing school items? ‘While it can be time consuming, making sure everything is labelled can avoid lost items (and associated replacement costs) throughout the year,’ Justine advises.

Get ready to send the kids back to school with these money-saving tips! Photo: Getty Images

Second best
It’s not always necessary to buy new, especially when it comes to things such as sports equipment or musical instruments. ‘It may be worth placing a “wanting to buy” notice on your school noticeboard, or in the regular newsletter,’ Justine suggests.

Hold some back
‘Consider keeping some of it at home to reach for when needed,’ says Justine, of stationery supplies. ‘It reduces the risk of items being lost in the meantime.’

Head to officeworks.com.au for more information.

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