Compare, split and avoid compulsive buying: the keys to lighten the return to school
The expense per child is calculated at a minimum of 500 euros
BarcelonaAfter the extraordinary expenses of the holidays, many families have to face a new impact on their domestic economy: the return to school. Different studies by major consumer organizations place this impact at a minimum of 500 euros per child, although with many differences depending on the community they are in and also on the type of school the children attend. Private schools can triple the cost of public ones.
Therefore, it is necessary to take into account some factors that, while they will not reduce the bill, can alleviate the impact on family economies somewhat. For example, when it comes to buying school supplies, you need to compare the different offers from shops to find the cheapest place. Another tip is to avoid impulse purchases: there are absolutely necessary school supplies, but manufacturers and shops also try to increase the purchase ticket with tempting offers and products that dazzle the little ones, and which are not entirely necessary. A third element that can help families is to anticipate purchases and spread the payment, so that the impact is not so great.
The Spanish Association of Consumers makes some recommendations. Advancing purchases to avoid the lack of products that are in high demand, and which tend to increase their price when this happens, is one of these recommendations. This entity also indicates that it is not necessary to buy everything from the same shop, but rather to look for the best offer for each product in different establishments. The purchase will require more time, but there will be savings.
This association also recalls that for the return to school, consumer protection is the usual. Therefore, it is necessary to be informed about the change and return policy of each establishment and to keep purchase receipts for any return or claim. And if the purchase is made online, there are 14 days to renounce the acquisition without penalty and without the need to allege any cause. An element that can also help save money is the reuse of material from previous years, an aspect that, moreover, has educational value, as it promotes responsible and efficient consumption among minors.
In fact, looking for second-hand products is also an option. According to the Wallapop platform, buying used products can save up to 193 euros on back-to-school shopping. According to this platform, 48% of families resort to buying second-hand products to lighten the bill. Among the most purchased second-hand school products are textbooks and reading books. Used material with a second life can also greatly help reduce the cost of extracurricular activities. Cristina Gómez, communications director at Wallapop, points out that "in a context marked by the increase in the price of starting the school year, second-hand buying and selling becomes the best tool for families to save money".
Karoline Bliemegger, finance expert at the digital bank Klarna, points out that, in addition to thoroughly checking what material is already available at home, comparing prices, and anticipating purchases, splitting payments also helps to get through the ordeal better. In fact, she assures that almost 60% of Spaniards say they split payments to better manage their budget. The option to split payments is used more when it comes to higher-value items, such as a computer or sports equipment.
The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) calculates the cost of back-to-school shopping at 500 euros per child for clothing and school supplies alone. To contain expenses, it advises reuse: "If the backpack or pencil case is in good condition, there is no need to buy new ones," it indicates in its decalogue. It also advises making a list of what is needed before going shopping, finding out about free or loan book programs, and not going shopping with children – except for clothes – "because they are likely to want the most expensive branded items".
Catalonia, the second most expensive region
The Spanish Association of Consumers (Asescon) has studied the geographical differences in the cost of returning to school. Between the most expensive and cheapest community, the difference can be 200 euros. Thus, according to Asescon, Madrid is the most expensive community (756 euros per student), followed by Catalonia (735 euros), Basque Country (720) euros and Navarre (710 euros). The cheapest bills would be in Galicia (566 euros), Extremadura (598 euros) and Castilla-La Mancha (605 euros). This would be the expense for public school. For private school, Catalonia would be the third most expensive community (1,882 euros per student), behind Madrid (1,923 euros) and Cantabria (1,915 euros).