Back to School Tips from Southern Advisory

Many of our clients have young families and after five long weeks of sleeping in or doing things on their own time, the alarm bell announcing that first day of school will certainly be a rude awakening. Here are some of our top tips that we use in our households for easing back into the school term and staying organised while we are at it!



Back to School on a Budget

Buying back-to-school essentials is a financial headache for many families with a new survey reporting that 60 percent of primary school parents find it stressful. Not surprising when the average family apparently coughs up $600 on back to school stationery, shoes and equipment. Don't break the bank before the year has even really begun. Minimise the expense instead with these tips to save on back-to-school supplies.

• Look at home first 
  

Before you hit the shops, rummage through your child's school bag, room, desk and the family office to see if there are any items on your child's 'must-have' list, that he does in fact already have. This first tip may just halve your shopping list;

• Give yourself plenty of time 
  

You'll pay top dollar for the convenience of buying last-minute school supplies at the newsagency. Instead, check junk mail ads for sale items and shop online for the best price. If possible, wait until school starts and then hit the clearance sections of the big department stores for bargains;

• Buy in bulk 
  

Big savings can be made if you buy in bulk. But if you don't have the space to store 20 boxes of notepads and 50 boxes of pens, team up with other parents to share the supplies - and the discount;

• Use those freebies! 
  

Instead of buying pencils and notepads, send your child back to school with the free ones that businesses hand out (you know, the ones that are currently taking up space in your junk drawer); 

• Pretty up stationery 
  

Plain Jane school supplies always cost less than their fancier counterparts, but let's face it, to a child they just aren't as fun. The solution? Buy the budget-friendly basics from the bargain store and then let your child jazz them up with stickers and labels;

• Only buy what you need 
  

This one sounds obvious, but it should be the golden rule of back-to-school shopping. If your child doesn't need a new pair of school shoes, don't add this to your shopping list just because it's the start of a new school term. Make a list of what he really needs and stick to it. Religiously;

• Buy quality 
  

The saying 'you get what you pay for' is true, but especially so with school supplies. Don't just grab the cheapest option available. Spend some time looking at how things are made, and choose the products that look like they're going to last a few years. Go for the expensive back pack with the lifetime warranty; choose the spiral notebooks with the durable plastic covers. You may spend more now, but it means you won't have to buy replacements later and you'll end up coming out ahead;

• Go online 
  

Avoid the hassle of crowded aisles by shopping online. With the click of a mouse you can compare prices and find the cheapest deals online. Plus, you'll save on petrol!     
 
Term and School Holiday Dates 

Check out the key school term and holiday dates for 2014 here...

5 Ways to keep the kids organised at school

It's never too early (or too late) to teach kids how to get and stay organised for school. The skills they learn now will carry over into high school and ultimately their careers and home management as adults.

1.     Establish a great homework routine 
Determine the best time for daily school work and stick with it. For some kids, it will be right after school. Others may need some downtime to play, and then it's time to hit the books. The most important thing is to stick to the schedule so your child knows what's expected;

2.     Set up the space
Have a designated study area, such as the kitchen table;

3.     Make sure you know what's going on
Instruct children to unload their backpacks as soon as they come home. Have them hang up their bags in a designated area for easy access tomorrow and bring homework to the designated study area. Check in each day so you're aware of their workload and take special care when they seem overwhelmed;

4.     Encourage the use of lists and planners 
The older kids get, the more homework and activities they'll have. Teach them to manage their tasks with the use of simple lists or a planner or calendar of some sort. When they learn of upcoming assignments, tests, or events, they should write them down in their planners;

5.     Encourage colour coding 
Colour affects our mood and memory so let kids pick the colours of their folders and notebooks to correspond to different classes. If green reminds them of science, then they'll know instantly to grab the green notebook when looking for their science notes. 

Make lunchtime fun with these easy school lunch recipes

Chicken & Corn Wraps  

Ham, Pineapple & Cheese Pizza Scrolls 

Oat & Choc-Chunk Cookies

Contact Us

Now that you have an insight into some of the tricks that we use to keep our kids focused, Contact Us to discuss how we can help ensure your finances are on track to spoil the family with a holiday at the end of the school term.

Source: www.kidspot.com.au

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