gday
my kids start school next year. and i dread the school uniforms pricelist
are there any top tips to save money? - other than buying second hand
i have twins, so, all x2
thankyou
Tips for Cheap School Uniforms?
FoxJump on 03/11/2024 - 18:24
Comments
If you're apprehensive about uniforms you may need therapy for the journey ahead. A practical tip: purchase few and launder often.
If it’s a private school, you have little choice but to spend. But you knew that going in.
Public schools are easier. Ours (primary) told us to get pants from Kmart and only the shirt is from the official store. Still does not break the bank.
It's maybe worth considering just buying the proper ones, to not have your kids singled out. Private school is hard enough as it is if the school knows you're a low income family.
Do low income families really send twins to private school? If you can afford the school fees then surely the uniform cost is small is comparison?
Some of them do. Because many of these private schools are religious, and owned and operated by churches, they are kind of obliged to accept some students on a reduced rate, like that's what Jesus would do yeah? But it doesn't mean they need to be happy about it. Maybe OP is paying the full fees, who knows. Maybe they aren't even low income and they just hate spending money on the uniform.
I can confirm I have heard people summon Jesus Christ after seeing the price of the uniforms at private schools!
- lowes have 20 percebt off days every few months
- second hand store at school
- some uniforms, mainly winter dont have the school badge. i.e. sport. ours is long sleeve yellow. the lowes ones is 40 bucks. but kmart and best and less sell yellow long sleeves for 5 to 10 bucks. the colour is similar. i would talk to some exisiting parents to see if they do it
- socks from best and less and bonds, get when on sale
- get a few hats if they have second hand one. kid will lose them.
- lost and found…. :)
second hand not good enough? You must be at private school.
Public primary school uniforms are usually cheap. Wait until you learn all the other costs!
Free from the lost and found bin
1 - ask the school about policy and school supplied options. Many have excellent in house secondhand supplies which are high quality and freshly laundered. This is especially the case for private and Catholic.
2 - join local Buy Nothing group. Constantly see a stream of uniforms for local schools in mine.
3 - join uniform reselling sites/groups. Same as above.
4 - if public, opt for non branded option if applicable
My parents saved on school uniform fees by sending me to a Christian brothers school
ok thankyou everyone. kids going to the local Catholic primary school.
will ask about patches and second hand
good to know about lowes 20% off uniformswe can't afford twins on private schools
Catholic yeah we'll give it a go as it's easier to go to the secondary Catholic that's closer to home vs the public secondarynot low income earner
We did Catholic secondary. The secondhand systems are fairly consistent across sites (certainly in SA).
Hats, bags, socks and ties cannot be resold. They may take them for very low income families especially bags.
All other items aren't accepted unless dry-cleaned/laundered and in excellent to good condition.
Best savings for blazers, jumpers and pants, especially if you buy big and tack hems.
not low income earner
Then just buy your kids uniforms.
Other than second hand or substituting items where allowed, there’s not much you can do. Consider buying school shoes now if you think you can predict their size and if you can buy them on special. If you’re stretched for cash you could ask family who would typically buy presents to contribute instead of a Christmas present, noting that this is instead of not as well as. If you’re not stretched budget wise, just buy them, it’s part of the cost of having kids. Also remember you can sell them when you’re finished with them if they are still in okay condition (the uniforms that is, not the kids).
Check gumtree/facebook for people selling stuff
check parent groupsSecond hand all the way - and I have had my kids at private and public schools. I use fb marketplace for books and uniforms.
My only comment would be don't buy cheap shoes if you can afford good ones. The good ones last longer and are better for their feet. Ascent are a great brand - my (sporty) children would wear them all day long without complaint and play lunchtime sport in them. My oldest has just worn through the pair I bought him three years ago (and as an ozbargainer he can just suck up wearing them for his remaining exams).
Other option is ask friends with older kids at the school too. Some might be happy to gift you old uniform to save the hassle of selling.
You have not mentioned books - another one to use fb marketplace for sustainable schools website to save big.
fb community for second hand uniforms.
If in Vic you can use your $400 voucher in a couple of weeks or reach out to State school relief.
Isn't Vic in enough debt already?
State school relief
OP isn't poor just stingy. That's for people that actually need it.
Ask the school what is acceptable. If it's a branded uniform without any deviation allowed (i.e. buy the same gear and sew on patches/get it embroidered yourself) then you're probably out of luck.
But really, second hand. Find something in good condition and you're golden.