School Fees My child is staring college in a few years and I am worried about the costs. How much do I need and what are my options? College costs are rising, so start saving now The cost of putting a child through college is increasing. If you have young children, you need to take
Back to school savings tips Uniforms and stationary When it comes to uniforms it is possible now to shop around for better value, in the past perhaps only one supplier worked with a school and therefore you were obliged to go there even if it was more expensive. Lately many schools encourage parents to buy a general uniform in the correct colour and sew or iron on the school crest. This can be a huge money saver as you cut out the cost of the supplier doing this work for you. A good tip is not to wait until the last minute, give yourself plenty of time and do your research, check second hand shops and community based Facebook groups. Ask friends and family if they would be willing to donate the uniform of an older child who has left school or outgrown the uniform. If you can pay to have an alterations person take down a hem, or repair a rip then do, it will work out more cost effective for you than to replace with a brand new uniform. There are many discount shops around that sell great stationary now, there is no need to go to a specific school supplies centre unless you need something specific, shops like Dealz or the Euro store have great offers. You can also buy online BOOKS Use the power of social media groups, family and friend networks and this will really save you money. You should take your time and really talk to people, reach out on Facebook, publish your child’s booklist and ask who has copies. As long as the book meets the purpose and it is not damaged then it will be fine. Encourage your child to take good care of their books and cover them together. There are many online sources that offer discounts earlier in the year that can be up to 30% at times. They also may offer free covering and delivery. It is a good idea to start to plan ahead and put a little money aside for next year’s back to school costs. Keep a note of what you spent this year, so you’ll know exactly how much you will need and factor in exam years being more expensive Saving even a small amount regularly can make a big difference. For example, saving €10 each week will add up to €560 for back to school costs next year. You can talk to us about savings plans and all other financial matters just give us a call on 053 9420 899 or email philip@sefs.ie From Zurich see sample below , ‘ the final step in giving your child the best start is lie is by taking action now, The earlier
Savings & Investments How do I plan for a rainy day? It’s easy; if you start saving now you can build up a cash fund. We now more than ever before that we need to take responsibility for our own futures. Practical questions, such as: What will School/Collage Education costs be? Will I be able