It’s that time of the year, when the Christmas trees have come down and the festivities are long over. But another event looms around the corner in January – preparing to go ‘Back to School.’
For parents, this can be an expensive time after the year, especially after the December festivities andJanuworry bluesto worry about. With this in mind, here’s a quick guide on how to prepare for ‘Back to School’ in 2022.
Prepare to Plan
Good planning is an important part of ensuring that you reduce the financial impact that ‘Back to School’ expenses can incur. Start looking at the list of school supplies that are needed, as soon as you receive it, to get a sense of what you will have to purchase.
Then look at which retailers have what you need, and what the price of these items are. Try and include this in your January budget – again, so that you are prepared for the financial impact. In most cases, retailers will have ‘Back to School’ discounts and savings so keep your eye out for these, because a little saving really can go a long way.
Shop safely and wisely online
In today’s digital age, and thanks to lockdown restrictions in the past two years, e-commerce stores have seen a massive rise in sales as online shopping quickly became a part of our lives.
If you are shopping for ‘Back to School’ items online, remember to do so safely and wisely. FASTACard makes it easy to shop online 24/7, so you can get the school supplies you need, when you need them, and the virtual card is safe and reliable to use.
Take advantage of online stores that offer free delivery when purchasing school supplies over a certain amount (you might want to buy in bulk in this regard) or lookout for discount codes. Or deals sent to you via email – this can be another great way to shop wisely while saving money.
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Choose the right tech
As technology becomes more prevalent in our everyday lives, we’re also seeing technology is being used more at schools and in classrooms too. If you need to purchase a laptop or tablet as part of your ‘Back to School’ expenses, make sure that you get devices that are appropriate for your child both inside and outside of the classroom.
No need to get a top of the range, trendy laptop that far exceeds your budget or is consequently expensive. Instead, shop around for tech items that will be most useful for your child and their learning, and fit the correct specifications that are required. If budget is a concern, why not buy an item from one of our participating retailers using FASTACheckout? You’ll get up to R8000 in credit to pay for your online purchase at retailers like Phonetradr, Mobile in Africa, and Computer Mania.
Make it a family learning affair
Did you know that a new spending category for ‘Back to School’ shopping included personal hygiene products and desks? That’s according to a 2020 Deloitte survey, and it’s no surprise that parents have had to add masks, sanitisers and new learning items to their ‘Back to School’ list this year. To prepare for these new costs, saving will be key and this can be a great opportunity to get your children involved in learning how to save.
Show your children how you are saving moneywhen it comes to school supplies, and create fun family goals centered around financial management. From spending less on Friday night takeaways to putting extra money away towards unexpected expenses, setting financial goals with your children during this time can be a great way to introduce them to the idea of saving.
Use this guide to help you navigate the ‘Back to School’ season so that you are prepared, ready and financially equipped to save smart and spend wisely.
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