Back to School Financial Management: 4 Steps for Parents

At this time, you have purchased your school-going children their new textbooks for the next year (or possibly secondhand since it is less expensive) as well as their new outfits – my, haven’t they gotten bigger? And now you’re asking how will you pay for the rest of this year’s ancillary expenses.

While it’s lovely to have our kids back in school, the associated costs can bring financial worries for parents. If your expenditure is higher than your income, you only have two options: earn more money or spend less of what you have. While earning more isn’t always possible, we have four tips that might help you save some cash.

Plan

It is really important that you now plan your finances and often. My recommendation is that you should sit down and for a couple of hours every month. Like a road map, you will need to know where you are going and anticipate problems along the way. So write down all the current expenditure for the children (transport costs, lunches, additional books, school trips, sports equipment, extracurricular hobbies, pocket money). You should also think about how you can save money in other areas – such as lunches and after-school activities.

Review every cost and consider if there’s a more affordable option, like carpooling. For lunch allowances, some parents give their child up to €10 daily. A packed lunch can be prepared for less than €3 each day which would save over €1,200 annually!

Save

If you send your child to fee-paying schools, you’ll need a significant amount by the time they finish third-level education. Start by saving the Child Benefit (currently €140 per month per child) into a Regular Saver account. EBS, AIB, and BOI are offering 2% p.a. So, for a monthly saving of €140, you’d earn €18.20 interest over 12 months. Once a lump sum has accrued, consider investing elsewhere for a better return.

For more complex investments, always seek professional advice. Investing €250 a month from when your child is 5 until they turn 18, at 3% growth per year, will accrue approximately €42,000 – covering third-level education costs in Ireland.

Borrow
Some parents borrow money for their children’s educational expenses. Shop around for the best rates:

  • Credit Union (Education): 7.73%
  • Credit Union (Personal): 9.92%
  • Revolut: 8.41%
  • An Post: 8.9%
  • Avant: 9.1%
  • PTSB (Personal Loan): 12.5%

For credit unions, you need to be a member for at least a month and typically lodge 2.5% of the loan amount into a Credit Union share account to qualify. Avoid unauthorised moneylenders, who can charge exorbitant interest rates

Borrow

Some parents, in order to receive their Child Benefit, must borrow money for their children’s educational expenditures each year. Shop around – credit unions and An Post Money typically have the lowest rates at c. 5.9%. Check with your local credit union office because they are all independent but may have low interest rates especially if you take out an education loan. An Post Money is now available online. For credit unions, you have to be a member for at least one month and would normally need to lodge 2.5% of the amount you are looking for into a Credit Union share account to qualify for a loan. The financial institutions on the high street are next, and as they know you’ll be much more likely to approve. Borrow only for a year – school expenses are recurring every year. Unauthorised moneylenders should be avoided at all costs, owing up to 200% or more in interest.

Protect

Life and disability insurance should all be seriously considered, as well as income protection in case one or both parents are unable to work. In general, a life policy for a specific period to match the conclusion of your child’s education should be looked at again. This pays out a lump sum if you die and is rather inexpensive for a married couple at age 30. This cover is based on 10 times your net annual income, minus any Death In Service benefits (which you should check with your employer about), until your youngest child completes their 3rd level education.
I can tell you from experience that childhood goes by in a flash. It seems like only yesterday that I was taking my youngest to play school for the first time, and now she’s 2 years away from starting college. So make sure to enjoy every moment!
Start a regular savings plan by speaking with one of us at Riordan Financial today.