Expert money saving hacks for long-lasting school uniforms

How much are parents having to pay for unexpected school costs? 

The cost-of-living crisis is causing many people to tighten their budgets and leaving many people living on the edge of financial security, with recent data showing that 46% of people have less than £1,000 in savings and 25% have £200 or less¹. This indicates that if an unexpected cost such as a car repair or expensive dental treatment were to come around, many would not have enough saved to cover it.

With this in mind, Moneyboat carried out a survey which revealed how much Brits have had to pay for an unexpected school uniform cost in the most recent instance. The average cost sits at £122.30 with the data also revealing London parents fork out the most (£150) followed by parents in the West Midlands (£146). Parents in Northern Ireland also paid £132.

With children heading back to school in the coming weeks, Moneyboat has teamed up with Isobel Mary Champion to share top tips on saving money on uniform costs and making then last:

• Don’t tumble dry uniform items or wash them with bulky items like towels – this will make your uniform bobbly and age more quickly. Line dry if possible.
• Don’t wash your child’s uniform every day unless it’s absolutely necessary – most items (especially in the cooler months) can be worn a couple of times at least before they need washing. This will also extend their lifespan.
• Most schools have a “nearly new” school uniform a few times a year where parents can sell used uniform that is still in good condition. Think sustainably and save money by not always buying brand new.
• Only buy your branded items (those with the school logo) from the official retailer – all other bits and bobs you can usually find cheaper elsewhere – shirts, shorts, trousers, skirts.
• Mend small rips, fallen hems and loose buttons as soon as possible to prevent the damage from getting worse and rendering the item unwearable.
• Get your child to change out of their uniform as soon as they get home – this will reduce damage from carpet wrestling, “floor is lava” furniture climbing, dinner spillages, garden play, and all kinds of extra curricular movement.

If you’d like to read more about the results of the survey and the questions asked, you can read the full blog article on the survey via Moneyboat’s blog: https://www.moneyboat.co.uk/blog/the-impact-of-unexpected-costs-in-the-uk/