AS the back-to-school shopping season begins, financial educator Michelle Sinclair Doyley advises parents to plan ahead and stick to their budgets. She cautions that last-minute shopping can lead to missed opportunities for savings. For instance, when you wait until the last minute, you may not have time to find parents of children in the same grade as yours who are willing to sell their used books at a discount. However, by acting early, you can connect with families at your child’s school who may be selling used books at a lower price, allowing you to purchase the necessary materials at a significant cost savings compared to buying new books.

“It’s not that things are cheap, but because you have more time, you can shop around and do better. When everyone is shopping at the last minute, you tend to say, ‘Let me just get everything in one place,’ even if it would have been less expensive to buy some things at a different store,” Sinclair Doyley said while speaking with the Jamaica Observer.

Sinclair Doyley suggests that parents can alleviate the financial burden of back-to-school expenses by exploring smart, eco-friendly options. These include renting books, buying used books from other parents, and selling books to others. To preserve the condition of books and increase their resale value, she recommends using book wrapping. She also notes that many schools have WhatsApp groups where parents can connect and exchange books.

“Most schools know parents are in a WhatsApp group. And parents can say, ‘I have these books in X condition, and these books I’m willing to sell at X price.’ So that you can then now use those in order to purchase,” she said.

Additionally, some parents can organise book swaps, where they exchange books with other parents, reducing the need for new purchases.

Sinclair Doyley warns that delaying back-to-school shopping until August can lead to financial strain as expenses are concentrated into a single pay cheques. In contrast, starting in June or July allows parents to spread expenses across multiple pay cheques, easing the financial burden. She advises parents to take advantage of the opportunity to split expenses across July and August pay cheques. However, she acknowledges that many parents fail to set aside funds throughout the year, leading to a stressful August pay cheque.

She emphasises that parents must also consider all expenses associated with sending their children back-to-school, including lab fees and school trips required for specific subjects, essential supplies such as school uniforms, bags, and stationery, food and transportation costs, and extra-curricular activity costs. By factoring in these expenses, parents can get a comprehensive picture of their total back-to-school expenses and plan accordingly.

“A school trip or class trip may be optional, but in reality, it’s hard to opt out. If you’re the only child not going, you might feel left out. So, even though it’s optional, you may feel compelled to participate. These types of expenses need to be factored into your budget,” Sinclair Doyley expressed to the Sunday Finance.

Additionally, she cautions parents to be aware of the potential for children to feel pressure from their peers and experience the fear of missing out. This can lead to parents, especially those already facing financial difficulties, feeling guilty and going to great lengths to provide their children with certain experiences. Sinclair Doyley advises parents to plan ahead for these expenses and events, such as career day, where children may feel pressure to dress up in specific costumes, like a police officer. Field trips, where parents may feel obligated to contribute funds to ensure their child’s participation, and any special days like Jamaica Day or Teachers’ Day gifts, which can add to the financial burden. By anticipating these expenses, she said parents can better manage their finances and avoid feeling pressured into overspending. She further offered practical tips for parents struggling to make ends meet. With lunch money being a significant expense, Sinclair Doyley suggests encouraging children to pack their own snacks and lunches to cut costs. She also advises parents to think creatively when it comes to school uniforms, such as letting out hems or cuffs to accommodate growing children, rather than buying new uniforms every year. Additionally, she recommends exploring cost-saving options for transportation, like carpooling with other parents in the community. By joining community WhatsApp groups, parents can connect with others and arrange carpooling schedules.

She also recommends making your child aware of additional costs to encourage more careful behaviour. Drawing from her own experience, she recalls frequently losing parts of her geometry set as a child, which forced her parents to purchase a new one every year. To promote financial responsibility, she suggests holding children accountable for their actions. For instance, deducting the cost of replacing lost items from their lunch money can make children more mindful of their actions and encourage them to take responsibility for helping to reduce expenses.

“In your own little way, you say okay, this is the cost of the geometry set, and when I have to replace it over and over again, then it is a cost to me; therefore, let us take this cost out of your lunch money. So we’re trying to build responsibility into our children as they go along; it is an important life skill,” she suggested.

If parents face financial challenges, Sinclair Doyley advises approaching the school early to explore available assistance options. The school may be able to identify essential expenses, prioritise purchases, or offer alternative solutions.