Want to save on back-to-school expenses? See these tips

Read these tips if you want to save on back-to-school costs.

The return to school is just around the corner and costs can be high, especially with the purchase of school supplies.

However, there are ways to save in this academic year preparation in order to not increase expenses in the family budget.

The 2024/25 school year starts between the 12th and 16th of September, so Refurbed, a company specializing in the sale of refurbished electronic devices, suggests 10 money saving tips, as read on Notícias ao Minuto.

The aim of these tips is to "help families save, without compromising product quality, while promoting more sustainable consumption practices."

These are the suggested tips by the company:  

• Advance planning, with a shopping list. "An inventory of the materials you already have at home should be made and a list of the items truly necessary should be drawn up, in order to avoid impulsive and unnecessary purchases"; 

• Buy in advance and in quantity. This includes items such as notebooks, binders, and pencils used throughout the school year, as this is the time to take advantage of "significant discounts", which will also reduce "the frequency of trips to stores";  

• Take care, recycle and reuse. It is important to reuse backpacks, lunchboxes, and "other materials that are still in good condition is crucial". This way, "you save money and contribute to the reduction of unnecessary waste".  

• Investing in refurbished products. These products "can be up to 40% cheaper, have a warranty of at least 12 months and go through a rigorous quality control process, ensuring their functionality as if they were new";

• Material exchange groups. Certain local groups and communities exchange school supplies that are still in good condition, which can be "a great way to acquire everything you need without spending money"; 

• Take advantage of the promotions and discounts at this time. This is because on the back-to-school season, "back-to-school promotions always arise. Purchasing from stores offering discounts can result in significant savings, especially if planned in advance"; 

• Leave buying certain materials out of season. Despite the discounts at this time, there are some school supplies that "become cheaper after the start of classes. If possible, it's worth delaying the purchase of certain materials until the prices drop."  

• Invest in quality products to save in the long run. "Opting for quality products may seem more expensive in the short term. However, as they say 'buy cheap, buy twice'. So, it's worth investing in more expensive items that last longer and require fewer replacements".  

• Give a new life to materials you already have. Why not take materials you already have at home and personalize them? "Besides being a fun activity, it can help you save money".  

• Consider the 4 R's: Recycle, reuse, reduce, and recondition. This is in order to have "a more conscious, sustainable, and economic back to school". "By giving a second life to an object, we reduce the carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future". 

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