The summer holidays are in full swing, and while you may think that means six weeks of fun with the kids, it’s amazing how quickly it will go. Before you know it, it’ll be time for them to head back to school, armed with their homework and school books. Rather than running around in a blind panic as September draws nearer, start buying their back to school essentials now. Not only will the shops be better stocked, but you won’t have to stress about making sure it’s all ready the weekend before the school bell rings.

Let’s not forget, either, that it’s not just the uniform that parents have to worry about. While the new school uniform makes up the majority of back to school essentials, it’s certainly not the be all and end all of what’s needed. Take a look at this list of what else you may need to buy for your kids but remember the budget you have; if you can save money in places by reusing things, do!

• School Bag – this will often be down to personal taste, so make sure that your child has a say in what bag they have. Younger children would likely love to have some sort of character bag, while older kids would probably prefer a simple backpack that is trendy as well as practical. The school bags range at George is broad and diverse – perfect if you’re on a budget too.
• Book Bags may be a requirement for the school that your child attends. In fact, in the younger years, a book bag is often more of an essential than a backpack is. Most schools will ask you to invest in a book bag that has the school logo emblazoned on it, and while this does mean shelling out a little more money, they will often remain in good, useable condition, for at least a year or two.
• Lunch Bag – If your child will be enjoying a packed lunch during the school day, a lunch bag or box will be needed. Let your child have some sort of say about which lunch bag they would like to use, and bear in mind what food will need to fit into it. Also be aware that many schools across the country will be offering free school meals to kids under the age of 7 come September 14, so you may not even need a lunch bag at all!
• Stationery – As they progress through school, the need for their own stationery will grow. When they’re in primary school, they may not need to provide their own pens, pencils and paper, but once they’re in high school, you will need to budget for these items. It may be easier to give them a spending limit and let them buy their own things, so that you don’t get shouted at for buying the wrong stuff!

Spending a small fortune can be easily done when it comes to buying back to school essentials. Make a list of what you need to buy, and set a budget that you need to stick to, so that you don’t end up spending more than you can afford.

Made possible by George.

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