Planning Ahead for Back-to-School Expenses

Back-to-school expenses are a central concern for parents, especially since these increase yearly with inflation and as children progress in their academic careers. In 2017, Quebec parents spent an average of $1,016¹ per child for school supplies and tuition, all education levels combined (pre-school to university), compared to $912 in 2016,² a 10% hike. In the last five years, these expenses have risen by over 44%―they amounted to an average of $705³ per child in 2013. And the older their children get, the more parents have to pay.² Families can expect to pay on average:

• $549 for children aged 0-5 years, compared to $438 in 2016 (25% increase)
• $895 for children aged 6-11 years, compared to $862 in 2016 (4% increase)
• $1,460 for children aged 12-17 years, compared to $1,363 in 2016 (7% increase)

Of course, the bigger the family, the bigger the bill, so the new school year doesn’t come in cheap for larger families. But even if most parents tap directly into their bank accounts to cover these expenses, there are ways to prepare for it and anticipate its costs.

How to save for back-to-school season

1. Give last year’s school supplies a second life. Some supplies you bought might come back at the end of the year: if they are in good enough condition, keep them for next year. If you have children in different school levels, you could also make significant savings by passing on what they longer need to their siblings.

2. Check your flyers. This will help you get the best price on most of the items on your school’s supplies list. It also allows you to take advantage of the Lower Price Guarantee most stores now offer.

3. Don’t buy extras. We often feel like buying in bulk allows for more savings, but be careful: it’s far from being profitable if you end up never using those extra supplies!

4. Keep some supplies for later in the year. Putting the four erasers you bought in your child’s backpack on the first day is a waste of money, as he or she will most likely lose them in the first few weeks of school. The best way to avoid this is to give them only what they need for now, and to refill their pencil case throughout the year if necessary.

5. Save! Parents know how expensive back-to-school shopping really is, especially if they have more than one school-age child. Making a budget can help you be ready to face these expenses, and saving all year long is the key to avoiding last minute surprises!

Anticipating the costs of post-secondary studies

About 80% of parents consider the financing of post-secondary studies to be an important financial concern.² The cost of education is constantly increasing. While it currently costs around $ 100,000 to complete two years of CEGEP and three years of university in Quebec, it is estimated that this number will increase to just over $138,000 for the same schooling in 2035.⁴

While most Quebecers turn to their personal bank accounts to cover the recurrent back-to-school expenses, the costs of post-secondary studies can be planned for years in advance.

By investing in a registered education savings plan (RESP) in their children’s early years, families could receive up to $12,800⁵ per child in government grants, depending on their net family income. When you invest in an RESP, your savings grow tax-free over the life of the plan, which makes it a great way to lessen the financial strain post-secondary studies represent for your everyday budget.

For more information regarding the different plans available, go to www.kaleido.ca/en/resp-investement.