Student Tool Basket: Mom of 4 Shared Shopping Skills That Help Save Life

Developed his own system in seven years

Jolanta Malakauskienė, a mother of four children, three of whom are schoolchildren, already has experience preparing for school. His eldest daughter is seventh and his two sons are the first and the second. The daughter already buys most of the office supplies on her own, and the other children are “bought” by the mother, but she does so according to the system that has proven her worth.

“I start to prepare for the new school year in May and in mid-July I usually have all the necessary tools, except for the exercises, which are acquired centrally. So when everyone starts to worry and run through the shops, I’m already calm.

However this year is exceptional, so far I only have backpacks, notebooks and pens for children. I deliberately do not buy sportswear, uniforms or indoor shoes, although I always had these items at the time. I do this as a precaution that it may not be necessary if distance education is introduced. I look forward to the end of August, ”said the woman.

He learned to buy small stationery items in the second half of September, when it was 70 percent. Discounts.

By the way, you learned to buy pens, notebooks, and other small stationery in the second half of September, when it is 70 percent. Discounts. Although at that time the choice was somewhat reduced, the quality of these products did not place many demands on the interlocutor, it is important that they are easy to use. Because pens, pencils, erasers and other small items get lost very easily.

However, in search of a suitable backpack, you do not chase discounts and do not save money.

“It is a shame to spend 100 euros on a backpack, because it lasts for many years, it must be comfortable, ergonomic and pleasant for the child. I always buy this item, like the clothes they wear, and consult with the children. I myself buy small stationery.

We know the lists of necessary tools in advance, but I review them critically and don’t buy everything because I know from experience what things are never needed.

When I was preparing my first child for school, I did not need half of what I had bought, so now I choose more rationally and it does not complicate me if certain measures go from an older child to a smaller one.

I spend about 50 euros on office supplies for a child. In my opinion, this is not much, especially since the measures are sufficient for the whole year. I always buy refills to have on hand when needed, but usually only the gouache and pencil glue runs out. So the beginning of the school year doesn’t cause me a lot of stress because I spend time when I buy something.

The start of the school year doesn’t cause me a lot of stress because I spend time buying something.

I am not one of those people who specifically needs to take a vacation to get a vacation to prepare the kids for the school year. I have heard of such cases and it turns out that this is not such a rare practice. However, I think it is not so much related to people’s income as to the ability to plan, ”commented J. Malakauskienė.

Last year, it cost him almost € 400 to prepare for his freshman school. This amount includes sportswear, footwear, two sets of uniforms, exercises, and office supplies. A basket of teaching materials costs about 250 euros.

According to the woman, the higher the class, the less money is needed. After all, some measurements are carried over from previous years, and some products, like sportswear, cost more for a younger child than for an older one.

Student tool basket – 250 to 500 euros

The Swedbank Financial Institute conducts an annual survey on how much parents spend on their children’s education. According to the director of the Jūratė Cvilikienė institute, it is more expensive to send a freshman to school.

The average basket of top-level scientific tools is around 250 euros. About 60 euros consists of office supplies (writing, drawing material, backpack), about 100 euros – uniform, about 50 euros (43 first-year and 47 fifth-year students) – exercises, 40 euros – sports and dance clothes.

“It’s an average cost, we don’t really count the most expensive products. For example, we take sports shoes from supermarkets instead of specialized stores where they are much more expensive. A single backpack can cost around 100 euros or more, a uniform, around 200 euros and so on Some parents also spend € 500 to prepare for school.

By the way, last year this basket was 20 percent. less than in previous years. It can be assumed that this is due to the fact that more suppliers have appeared, which has caused greater competition and lower prices ”, explained the interlocutor.

Parents, especially when preparing a child for first grade, typically buy too much, so it’s worth checking out where they can save.

In the stationery part, which consists of 39 different instruments, the highest cost goes to the backpack. According to J. Cvilikienė, this year the situation related to the coronavirus can adjust the basket of exercises, because during distance learning they are transferred to the electronic space. However, parents are likely to buy uniforms.

“On the other hand, you still have to buy clothes to go to school, so the uniform is part and it saves money. However, the one-time investment is high, “said the financial expert.

By the way, in a parent survey, which was also conducted by the Swedbank Financial Institute, parents indicated that they spend similar amounts – about 300 euros – when preparing their children for school. J. Cvilikienė emphasized that the costs of teaching materials are really only a part of all the costs that parents incur when their children start attending school. After all, during the school year you have to pay for a child’s feeding in an educational institution, for extracurricular education, and most parents also give their children pocket money (usually 5 to 15 euros).

Expert advice

When asked what time is better to care for a basket of teaching materials, the expert advised not to rush and, if possible, wait until early September, when parents learn from teachers exactly what to buy and what to consider when buy supplies. Also, sales start in the second half of September, so all tools can be bought cheaper.

“Usually parents, especially when preparing a child for first grade, buy too much, so it is worth looking at where you can save, for example, maybe the backpack is left for sister or brother, no to buy new rules and rules for everyone, because children don’t use them. Even if a child, especially if he is going to first grade, wants everything new and beautiful, let us remember that an extraordinary fall awaits us. Therefore, I suggest that you do not rush, buy what you really need, and everything else will be possible to replenish in time. Perhaps it is worth talking to other parents, for example, I have heard beautiful examples when parents decide to buy a sports shirt centrally and thus save a lot, “said the interlocutor.

Research shows that parents are increasingly paying attention to value for money and are willing to pay for quality. For example, last year 20 percent. more parents than in previous years said they tend to invest in quality. This also coincided with economic growth and greater financial opportunities for people.

“Certain things, like a backpack, are really worth investing in, but investing in high-quality athletic shoes is definitely not worth it, because children grow up so fast, so after half a year it may not be suitable.

It is also worth weighing how much we pay for a particular brand, as a backpack just for the logo of a famous brand can be very expensive. Nor would I advise a beginner to buy expensive pens, because all parents can tell that they get lost during the first two weeks, ”explained J. Vilvilienė.

The finance expert recommended preparing for school in a fun way and developing children’s financial literacy. Just before going to the store with your child, discuss in advance the list of necessary tools and how much the family can spend on this basket.

For example, there are 30 euros. If you buy a pen for 10 euros, the child will realize that they will only have 20 euros left for the rest of the goods. However, if you choose a pen for 5 euros, you can purchase additional sketchbooks or other items.

“It is necessary to have a list and a money limit, because additional wishes will definitely appear when looking at the colorful shelves in the store. It is also worth talking to the child about how beautiful and comfortable the product is. It is only important to go to the shop tired and patient with patience, as arguments can arise. But it is a great lesson in financial education on how to separate need from desire, and whether the item is necessary or just a whim, “said the interlocutor.

The coronavirus can adjust the basket

Darius Ryliškis, a representative of the Norfa retail chain, also noticed the trend that more and more parents tend to choose more expensive but higher quality products. He also links this trend to increasing people’s income.

“A so-called ‘basket of students’ can cost between a few tens and a hundred euros and more. It depends on the needs of the students and the abilities of the parents. Main school supplies: backpacks, notebooks, pens, pens, paints, sketchbooks, rulers, colored pencils, erasers, markers.

The prices of school supplies remained similar to last year. In addition, there will be promotions throughout August and most of September with discounts. Therefore, I would suggest following advertisements and promotions, because then it is possible to buy half ”, said the interlocutor.

According to D. Ryliškis, usually the highest peak in the purchase of school supplies occurs in the last week of August, but as it will be this year, it is difficult to predict. Also, some items may not be in demand. For example, people are considering buying backpacks now.

Research on buying habits

A survey by the Maxima retail chain shows that stationery, paper and drawing are still the most popular school supplies. 62 percent. This year, 57% of the population will include children’s footwear in the school shopping basket. – Children’s clothing and a third in pencil. Only 18 percent plan to buy new school bags for their children this year. parents.

Due to the coronavirus situation, 17% In preparation for the new school year for children, this year the population intends to take care of the means of distance learning: headphones, computer, tablet, webcam or microphone. Also, 60 percent. Parents revealed that in preparing children for school this year, more attention will be paid to strengthening their immunity, and 56 percent. develop hygiene habits.

The survey also showed that the population generally buys all the necessary school supplies 2-3 times. That’s the amount of purchases it takes for 61 percent. population. 22 percent. parents go to the stores more than three times to prepare their children for school. At some point, 17% of children receive school supplies. parents. More than a third (35%) of the population with school-age children choose all the goods necessary for school together with the offspring, and 59%. together they buy part of the merchandise.

Almost a third (31%) of parents plan to spend € 101-200 on school supplies for a child this year, and 17% intend to spend more than € 200 on this. One tenth of the population plans to stick to their budgets by providing school supplies for their children.