Back to school | Five tips to get away with it on the cheap

Even though the inflation rate has dropped slightly, the fact remains that it is still high. And it’s reflected everywhere. Even in your child’s backpack. On the eve of the new school year, here are five tips to get you out of it at a good price.

Stephanie Berube
The Press

Buy wholesale

Some items come back year after year. Loose-leaf, for example. Marjorie Simard always plans a small supply of these supplies and buys them throughout the year, whenever a price is particularly good. “It avoids having to take the car one evening, at the last minute, because a duo-tang is missing,” she says.

Don’t ignore lost items

Simple advice, but one that is not often followed, says Marjorie Simard, surprised to see the quantity of unrecovered objects in the schools she visits as a remedial teacher.

Save by trading

It’s a great way to bring something new without spending a penny, says Jessica Laflamme. The founder of Do more with less suggests talking about it with colleagues, friends, family, because many parents have magnificent lunch boxes that are just waiting for a second life. The advice also holds for clothes.

Discover community resources

“Even people from the middle class are struggling to get there right now,” says Johanne Le Blanc, budget advisor at Option consommateurs, which directs some of its customers to community services, which many are discovering. Food banks, for example. The number 211 makes it possible to discover the resources offered, and according to which criteria. Organizations are currently distributing backpacks and school effects. Even there, the start of the 2022 school year is difficult. Sun Youth announced last week that it lacked the resources to meet the demand.

Save where possible

Back-to-school expenses are mandatory, outings are not. Financial planner Johanne Le Blanc advises exploring free activities in the city or neighborhood this fall. There are many and those who have never done it will be surprised at the offer. For children, the outdoor cinema at the end of summer or the picnic are outings that are worth many others whose bill would be much higher, she says.

And now… the lunches!

Because once the back-to-school shopping is over, the lunch party begins. Marilyne Gagné runs the discounts in the big chains and presents capsules to prepare meals at low cost. The Miss Econome Instagram account is simple, completely guilt-free and frankly very friendly – ​​the can of tuna is welcome there! “I started this because I was in debt,” says Marilyne Gagné, who met with a planner to realize that she could do much better with family finances. “I want to eat well, but not expensively,” she says. Result: Her first thoughtful grocery store saved her $66. Such a sum saved each week over a year, do the math! Since then, she’s shared her tips and made Miss Bursar her career. We particularly liked the capsule where she makes her first pizza dough without repetition, succeeds and proves that it’s easy to save money without sacrificing flavor. Neither pleasure!