Latest news with #Sarah-JaneOutten
Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
9 ways to cut back on girls and boys uniform costs
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. From uniform swaps to second-hand tech, here are easy wins to save cash next year 🏫 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Parents spend an average of £108.59 per child on back-to-school uniforms and supplies Shoes are the most expensive item for 44% of parents, followed by blazers and stationery Nearly half of parents save money by buying second-hand clothes or customizing plain uniforms Early and late summer shopping both offer opportunities for savings and better stock availability Expert tips include swapping uniforms, using cashback apps, and labelling items to avoid replacement costs Parents are bracing for another costly 'back to school' season, with new figures revealing an average spend of £108.59 per child on uniforms and supplies. The recent survey also revealed that many families start shopping as early as April or during the first week of the summer holidays — but there are plenty of savvy strategies to ease the financial strain without compromising on quality. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Shoes lead the pack as the biggest expense for 44% of parents, followed by blazers (16%) and stationery (11%), according to research from MyVoucherCodes. Nearly half of parents (42%) are turning to second-hand clothes, while 38% save over £40 a year by buying plain uniforms and attaching school logos themselves. Sarah-Jane Outten, shopping and money expert at MyVoucherCodes, says: 'The cost of school uniforms and supplies can put real pressure on household budgets, especially in summer. (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels 'But with a bit of creativity — like swapping uniforms, buying second-hand, or customizing plain items — parents can find big savings and still get what their kids need.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Here are nine ways you can save cash on kitting your kids out for the new school year: Set up or join a uniform swap with other parents Many children outgrow uniforms long before they wear them out. Team up with other parents from your child's school or class to swap gently used items. Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats, or PTA events can be good places to coordinate this. Hunt down second-hand bargains online and locally Check platforms like Vinted, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or dedicated second-hand uniform sales run by schools. Many schools now hold regular uniform exchange or donation events, especially before the new term starts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Buy plain, supermarket basics and add your own logos Supermarket uniforms are often a fraction of the price of branded items. Buy plain jumpers and polos, then attach the school logo yourself using iron-on patches or sewn badges. According to parents who've done this, it can save more than £40 per child each year. Shop at the right time Shopping early means better availability, but holding off until later in the summer can uncover last-minute clearance bargains. Stock levels can vary, so if you see a good deal on essentials early, grab it – but don't be afraid to wait on non-essentials like accessories or stationery. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Keep a checklist – and stick to it Impulse buying is a big drain on the budget. List everything your child actually needs (and double-check what still fits from last year) to avoid buying duplicates or unnecessary extras. Sign up for loyalty schemes and cashback apps Whether you're shopping online or in-store, make sure you're earning rewards. Supermarkets, stationers, and shoe shops often offer loyalty points or exclusive app discounts during the back-to-school period. Cashback apps like TopCashback or Quidco can give you money back on purchases too. Shop your own cupboards first Before buying new stationery, raid the kitchen drawers or storage boxes for leftover supplies. You may already have pens, rulers, or folders in perfectly good condition – just give them a clean-up. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Spread the cost with second-hand tech If you need to buy gadgets like calculators or laptops, consider refurbished models from trusted retailers. Many offer warranties and can be just as reliable as new items at a fraction of the price. Label everything – and keep it Lost items cost money to replace. Buy a cheap labelling machine or use a permanent marker to label all uniform pieces, lunch boxes, and stationery. The more that stays out of the lost property bin, the better for your budget. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
9 ways to cut back on girls and boys uniform costs
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. From uniform swaps to second-hand tech, here are easy wins to save cash next year 🏫 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Parents spend an average of £108.59 per child on back-to-school uniforms and supplies Shoes are the most expensive item for 44% of parents, followed by blazers and stationery Nearly half of parents save money by buying second-hand clothes or customizing plain uniforms Early and late summer shopping both offer opportunities for savings and better stock availability Expert tips include swapping uniforms, using cashback apps, and labelling items to avoid replacement costs Parents are bracing for another costly 'back to school' season, with new figures revealing an average spend of £108.59 per child on uniforms and supplies. The recent survey also revealed that many families start shopping as early as April or during the first week of the summer holidays — but there are plenty of savvy strategies to ease the financial strain without compromising on quality. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Shoes lead the pack as the biggest expense for 44% of parents, followed by blazers (16%) and stationery (11%), according to research from MyVoucherCodes. Nearly half of parents (42%) are turning to second-hand clothes, while 38% save over £40 a year by buying plain uniforms and attaching school logos themselves. Sarah-Jane Outten, shopping and money expert at MyVoucherCodes, says: 'The cost of school uniforms and supplies can put real pressure on household budgets, especially in summer. (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels 'But with a bit of creativity — like swapping uniforms, buying second-hand, or customizing plain items — parents can find big savings and still get what their kids need.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Here are nine ways you can save cash on kitting your kids out for the new school year: Set up or join a uniform swap with other parents Many children outgrow uniforms long before they wear them out. Team up with other parents from your child's school or class to swap gently used items. Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats, or PTA events can be good places to coordinate this. Hunt down second-hand bargains online and locally Check platforms like Vinted, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or dedicated second-hand uniform sales run by schools. Many schools now hold regular uniform exchange or donation events, especially before the new term starts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Buy plain, supermarket basics and add your own logos Supermarket uniforms are often a fraction of the price of branded items. Buy plain jumpers and polos, then attach the school logo yourself using iron-on patches or sewn badges. According to parents who've done this, it can save more than £40 per child each year. Shop at the right time Shopping early means better availability, but holding off until later in the summer can uncover last-minute clearance bargains. Stock levels can vary, so if you see a good deal on essentials early, grab it – but don't be afraid to wait on non-essentials like accessories or stationery. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Keep a checklist – and stick to it Impulse buying is a big drain on the budget. List everything your child actually needs (and double-check what still fits from last year) to avoid buying duplicates or unnecessary extras. Sign up for loyalty schemes and cashback apps Whether you're shopping online or in-store, make sure you're earning rewards. Supermarkets, stationers, and shoe shops often offer loyalty points or exclusive app discounts during the back-to-school period. Cashback apps like TopCashback or Quidco can give you money back on purchases too. Shop your own cupboards first Before buying new stationery, raid the kitchen drawers or storage boxes for leftover supplies. You may already have pens, rulers, or folders in perfectly good condition – just give them a clean-up. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Spread the cost with second-hand tech If you need to buy gadgets like calculators or laptops, consider refurbished models from trusted retailers. Many offer warranties and can be just as reliable as new items at a fraction of the price. Label everything – and keep it Lost items cost money to replace. Buy a cheap labelling machine or use a permanent marker to label all uniform pieces, lunch boxes, and stationery. The more that stays out of the lost property bin, the better for your budget.
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Grandparents can get £6,600 pension boost for looking after kids during summer holidays – but thousands miss out
Plus, we share how you apply for the support HELPING HAND Grandparents can get £6,600 pension boost for looking after kids during summer holidays – but thousands miss out GRANDPARENTS can get a £6,600 pension boost for looking after kids during summer holidays. Many grandparents are unaware they can be financially compensated for the time spent looking after their grandchildren. Advertisement 1 Grandparents can be compensated for looking after the grandhildren Credit: Getty The help will come in handy as 53% of grandparents with grandchildren aged under 18 will look after them this summer, according to research by MyVoucherCodes. They are expected to pay more than £21 per day on each child on average, up from £15.80 per day last summer. Sarah-Jane Outten, consumer and shopping expert at MyVoucherCodes, said: 'It's clear to see that many parents across the UK are calling on grandparents to step in to help with childcare, but for some, the generosity is coming at a cost." But there is a way for grandparents to get extra support. Advertisement Specified adult childcare credits are a type of National Insurance (NI) credit that can help you qualify for the full state pension. You need 35 years' worth of NI contributions to get the full amount worth £230.25 a week. It means parents and other relatives looking after a child under 12 can give their pension a boost. Recent research obtained by wealth manager Quilter from HMRC found only 104,433 people have successfully claimed the credits in the past five years. Advertisement Just 42,962 people applied for the credits last year, even though 78% of applications are successful. Cash for Care Every year of transferred credit will boost your state pension by £330 a year. This could add nearly £6,600 to the value of your state pension over the course of a 20-year retirement. You can also backdate your claim to 2011, when the credits were first introduced. Advertisement Who is eligible? You can claim if you are an eligible family member and responsible for caring for a child whose parents claim child benefit; otherwise, there are no national insurance credits to transfer. Moreover, there is only one credit available per child benefit claim, regardless of the number of children. So even if you care for two of your grandchildren, only one credit can be transferred to you. It is also important to note that the credits are available for transfer only if you are under the state pension age. Advertisement The child you are caring for must also be under 12 years old, or 17 if they have disabilities. To claim, you must live in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. How do I claim? You need to wait until October 31 to apply for the current tax year. This is because HMRC needs to check that the parent or main carer already has a qualifying year of National Insurance. They should check their National Insurance record to make sure they have credits they can transfer. Parents and carers can check their National Insurance record on the website. Before you apply for the credits you will need the child's details and a record of the periods when you provided care for them. You will also need the contact details of the child's parent or main carer who receives the child benefit. Both you and the person who receives the child benefit must sign a declaration on the application form. You then need to complete the CA9176 form online.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Survey reveals what dads really want this Father's Day – and what they will get
People are spending about £10 more on Father's Day this year typically than Mother's Day, a survey indicates. On average, people expect to spend £54.06 on a card and gifts for Father's Day (June 15), compared with an average spend of £44.80 for Mother's Day in March, according to MyVoucherCodes. People aged 25 to 34 are the biggest Father's Day spenders, the research indicates, typically planning to spend £78.24. Across all age groups, the most common gift that people expect to buy for Father's Day is alcohol, followed by food and a meal out, according to the survey carried out by OnePoll of 2,000 people across the UK in May who are in contact with their father or stepfather. The research indicated there may be a mis-match between what fathers would like and what they will receive. Most common gifts fathers would like to receive – Day out– Tech– A meal Among fathers surveyed, the most common gift they would like to receive is a day out, followed by tech and a meal. Sarah-Jane Outten, a money saving expert at MyVoucherCodes, said the research indicates that many people are 'going the extra mile to treat their dads'. Here are some tips from Ms Outten for saving money on Father's Day gifts: – Plan ahead Start shopping early to give yourself time to find the best deals. – Be creative A homemade meal, baked goods, or a hand-crafted gift can be more thoughtful – and more affordable – than store-bought options. – Buy a group gift Consider clubbing together with siblings or family members to buy one bigger, more meaningful gift. – Look for discounts on 'experiences' With a day out being the gift that fathers surveyed most commonly want, consider looking out for offers on experience days, local attractions, or events. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
The Independent
06-04-2025
- The Independent
Easter holiday spend of £1,272 on average for families with children
Nearly two in five (38%) people have a break planned for Easter, a survey indicates. A quarter (25%) of people surveyed are going on a UK-based trip this Easter, while 13% are opting to travel abroad, according to the research for MyVoucherCodes. Nearly half (46%) of men surveyed are planning an Easter break, compared with 31% of women. Younger adults were found to be particularly keen to take a holiday this Easter, with 67% of 25 to 34-year-olds planning a getaway and 57% of 18 to 24-year-olds also planning a break. People with children who are planning an Easter break expect to spend around £1,272 on average, while those with no children expect to spend £863 typically, according to the survey of 2,000 people across the UK in February and March carried out by OnePoll. The average expected spend for parents with one child is around £1,238, while those with two children anticipate an average spend of £1,562. Sarah-Jane Outten, a shopping expert at MyVoucherCodes, said: 'With the long bank holiday weekend, it can be an ideal time to go away without having to take too much annual leave. 'And while it can be more expensive than going away in term-time, for those with children, going on holiday at Easter is often a cheaper option than the summer holidays. 'For families, the cost of a holiday can quickly add up. A little extra planning and some savvy shopping can make a big difference when it comes to saving money on your Easter holiday.' Here are some tips from Ms Outten for people booking Easter breaks to save money. 1. Compare hotel prices Prices can vary significantly depending on factors such as proximity to the beach, if any meals are included or even the view from your room. 2. Look for airport parking deals Airport parking can be expensive, but booking in advance and using discount codes could help cut the cost. 3. Try to travel during off-peak times If you can be flexible with your dates, it may be possible to save money. People flying abroad could consider whether it is less expensive to travel during 'off-peak' hours. 4. Sign up for price alerts Signing up for alerts can mean people are notified about price drops and 'flash sales'. It may also be worth checking holiday firms' social media for deals notifications.
