Back to school ‘a huge hit’: mother’s tip to trimming education expenses

The annual Schoolkids Bonus of $430 for each primary school student and $856 for each secondary school student was phased out in July 2016, which has left parents to cover the costs.

Nashdale mother Laura Hannan is sending the fifth of her six children to kindergarten next week.

Ms Hannan said in previous years she has spent $1000 minimum, however with a resourceful attitude she has cut back to $600 this year.

“I always reuse what I can if I can, sometimes it’s mending little holes or taking in clothes that need to be worn by a smaller child,” she said.

Ms Hannan said she has also had some luck with clothing and shoes on online buy, swap and sell pages.

“I picked up a brand new pair of school shoes for half the price,” she said.

Orange mother Julianne Jarrett said she saved by purchasing quality second-hand clothing from online buy, swap and sell pages, as well as family members.

“With mothers say five years ago, those buy, swap and sell pages weren’t around,” she said.

“I’ve put my children’s clothes on buy, swap and sell pages and people have been grabbing them up.

“If I put them on for a good price, they grab them up quickly. [Parents] just want good quality.”

Ms Hannan said the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy amounted to a significant expense for many parents.

“I know we live in a world of technology but it is a huge whack. I think it can be a huge hit, especially if [parents] haven’t got those devices yet,” she said.