Back to school

The new school year is here, and hopefully the little ones have started or gone back to school with a skip and a smile!

But September can be an expensive month. New shoes, uniforms, PE kits, stationery, school trips and packed lunches can all add up, just as household bills continue to put pressure on the purse strings.

Uniforms don’t have to cost a fortune

If you have not got your full uniform sorted yet, don't panic.

It is worth checking the Reloved Stockport Facebook page for information about future pop-ups and how families can access the scheme.

And if your children have grown out of last year's uniform, don't throw it away! If it is clean and still in good condition, consider donating it so another local family can make use of it.

Before buying, check what you already have 

September is a good month to start a new money-saving habit: shop at home first!

Before buying more school trousers, jumpers, socks, stationery or lunchbox items, have a look through cupboards, drawers and last year's school bags. You may be surprised by what is hiding at the back.

A few pounds saved here and there can quickly become a much bigger saving over the course of the school year.

Make packed lunches work harder

If your child takes a packed lunch to school, try planning lunches around what you already have rather than buying specific items every week.

Leftover chicken can become a sandwich filling, and a flask of leftover pasta or soup can sometimes make an inexpensive alternative to a bought lunch.

Buying larger packs and dividing them into portions can also work out cheaper. Kids love those little blocks of cheese, but they can work out quite expensive. Why not buy a larger block of cheese and cut it into chunks as and when needed?

Did you know that handling cheese less can help it last longer? Sweat and bacteria from your hands can potentially contribute to the cheese spoiling sooner, so try to reduce the number of times you handle it while chopping.

Fruit can also be portioned up rather than buying individual packs.

Tip: If you wash your fruit & vegetables in a mix of (1 teaspoon) bicarbonate of soda & (2 cups) of cold water for about 10 minutes it can remove dirt, bacteria & pesticide residues and may increase the lifespan of your fresh produce. (always follow food-safety guidance and rinse produce thoroughly with clean water afterwards.)

Remember only buy food if it will actually be eaten. Organise your daily menus to reduce your waste, the cheapest food is no bargain if it ends up in the bin!

Make the most of Stockport’s libraries

Stockport's libraries have free events running throughout September, including children's storytimes in places such as Cheadle Hulme, Hazel Grove, Reddish, Heatons, Great Moor, Bramhall and Stockroom.

And don't forget the obvious money saver – books, magazines and other resources can be borrowed rather than bought.

A trip to the library followed by a walk in one of Stockport's parks can make for a very inexpensive family afternoon.