Five lessons in slashing uniform costs, from buying early to second-hand branded kit — plus win £27k uni fees
Here, we answer a request from a Sun Saver who is looking to save money on her child’s garments for the new term
SCHOOL uniform is a costly necessity every parent must shell out for.
We’ve had an email from a Sun Saver who is looking to save money on her child’s garments as the school requests its logo is on jumpers and cardigans and that polo shirts must have a coloured ring around the collar.
Who can blame her for trying to cut her costs? Parents of secondary school kids pay, on average, more than £300 per child, per year for uniforms, according to a report by The Children’s Society.
To help with her dilemma, I asked a panel to give lessons in slashing uniform costs . . .
- ASHLEIGH SWAN, founder of , says: “Ask the school if there is anywhere that you can buy second-hand branded uniform or buy from lost property. Items like trousers, skirts, bags, socks, and shoes can be found for a great price, without scrimping on quality. Lidl has released an excellent line of uniform from just £4.50. Try stores like Matalan for leather footwear at a reasonable cost.”
- AMY NICKELL, TV presenter and author of , says: “There are loads of Facebook groups for local parents, so why not put a shout out for anyone in a similar boat to you? There is bound to be a mum with a child in an older year who will be keen to offload her old uniform to you. Then you’ll have a bit of cash left to spend on some decent shoes that will last all year.”
- Mum-of-two NIKI McDONALD from Fife, says: “I always buy my children’s school uniform and back-to-school essentials through TopCashback. It takes just a second to click through to the site and I’m able to get around 5 per cent back at George at Asda and 3 per cent with Clarks and Schuh. The savings I get help with paying for things like school logos and blazers.”
- NICK HILL, advice manager at the , says: “Many schools and local organisations hold second-hand sales so you can nab a uniform for a fraction of the cost. Lots of offers are available at this time of year, so shop around.”
- DAVID BURGESS, chair of the , which represents suppliers, says: “Buy early when retailers often have discounts and look for quality, as longer-lasting garments can be passed down to younger siblings. In order to withstand the daily stress that comes from a school day it is wise to look for robust materials and strong stitching.”
- ALL prices are correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Designer double
SNIFF out this offer. , much cheaper than
SAVE: £37
Reader's saving tip
KEN BRADDICK, from Carterton, Oxon says: “Do not throw butter wrappers away. Fold them up and keep in the fridge door, and use them to butter cake tins before adding the cake mix.”
- Send your tips to and you’ll get 28 codes worth £5 if your tip is used. Please include your name and town.
Deal of the day
for one full-paying child or adult and get another driver for £1.
SAVE: £25
Save a fiver
KEEP your things handy in this . Was £15, now £10.
SAVE: £5
My Sun Savers fiver
NICOLA BURNHAM, from Crewe, Cheshire, says: “I am saving for my wedding in October. I’ve saved £35 so far and will spend it on favours for the tables. Thanks, Sun Savers!”
- Send your Savers fiver stories to and you’ll get 28 codes worth £5 if your tip is used. Include your name and town.
Cheap treat
FOX’s Milk Chocolate Viennese biscuits 120g, are two for £1.50 at . RRP £1.50 each.
SAVE: £1.50
Shop & save
MAKE a tidy saving by using Dr Beckmann Starch & Easy Iron on your clothes. Was £2.25, now £1.80 at Asda.
SAVE: 45p
Win £27k uni fees
SUN Savers is giving one lucky student £27,000 towards their uni fees.
Even if you’re not a student, you can enter.
Collect TEN of the 18 Sun Savers codes printed daily until September 11. Then go to the Sun Savers app or website to enter them.
Lastly, go to the Win Your Uni Fees page in “Offers” and click “Enter” before midnight on September 24.
- T&Cs apply. See .
Fantastic family giveaway
SUN Superdays is back – so take the plunge and grab two FREE tickets to SEA LIFE, worth up to £52.
Choose from TEN fantastic SEA LIFE aquariums across the UK, in places such as London, Blackpool, Loch Lomond and more.
Plus, exclusively for Sun Savers members, you’ll get early access to booking, meaning you’ll get first choice of dates at all the attractions.
Bagging your two FREE tickets is easy – simply head to the Sun Savers app or and opt-in to the Superdays promotion found in “Offers”.
Then, collect NINE of the unique Sun Savers codes printed daily in the paper from today until Tuesday, September 18.
After you’ve collected your NINE codes, enter them into the app or website and then you’ll be able to redeem your free tickets.
You’ll receive an email with a unique code and steps on how to book a date at your chosen SEA LIFE aquarium.
Just make sure you start collecting your Sun Savers codes as soon as possible as the best dates will go fast.
Not already a Sun Savers member? Search “Sun Savers” in the app store or register at .
All you need to enter is your name, date of birth and email address to get started.
Remember to always check for app updates so that you don’t miss out on the latest offers. As a Sun Savers member you will get access to massive competitions, bonuses on Sun Superdays and FREE cash.
That’s right – for every 28 Sun Savers codes you enter you will get £5 put into your Sun Savers wallet to spend however you like. Over the course of a year this could add up to £65 – just for reading your favourite paper.
- T&Cs: Subject to availability. 18+. T&Cs apply, see .
See it first, see it free
WE are giving away 2,500 pairs of cinema tickets for preview screenings of new diamond heist blockbuster, King Of Thieves.
It is from the producers behind Legend and Darkest Hour, and features an all-star cast including Michael Caine and Ray Winstone, plus Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Paul Whitehouse and Michael Gambon.
King Of Thieves tells the true story of the Hatton Garden robbery – one of the most daring raids in British criminal history.
You can choose from 20 preview screenings across the UK, including London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff. They take place on the evening of Monday, September 10.
To book tickets, go to the Sun Savers app or website and opt in to the Sun Savers screening promotion found in “Offers”. Then enter FIVE of the eight Sun Savers codes printed daily from today.
Lastly, head back to the Sun Savers Screening page and click “Redeem”. You will then get an email with steps on how to claim your tickets. Make sure you’re quick, as there are only 2,500 pairs up for grabs and tickets will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis.
Don’t worry if you miss out on a preview screening ticket, you can still head to the cinema on Friday, September 14 to catch the release of King Of Thieves.
- ©2018 Studiocanal S.A.S. All rights reserved.
- T&Cs: 18+ UK residents only (excludes Isle of Man and Channel Islands). Code collect 1/9/18 to 8/9/18. 2,500 pairs of tickets to be claimed. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs at .
Play now to win £15,000 on the Sun Savers Raffle
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in the new Sun Savers Raffle.
Every Sun Savers code you enter will earn you a ticket for our £15k monthly Raffle. And for every ten tickets you collect in a calendar month, you get a GOLDEN TICKET for our £80k Raffle, which takes place every three months, with the first one at the end of June.
There is no limit to how many tickets you can collect. So the more you enter, the better your chances.
To take part go to or open the Sun Savers app. Then opt in to each month’s Raffle by clicking “Yes!” when prompted and start collecting the Sun Savers codes printed daily in the paper.
Today’s code is on Page 20. Every time you scan or enter a code into Sun Savers, you get a Raffle ticket in the £15k Raffle.
Not yet a Sun Savers member? Just go to sunsavers.co.uk or find “Sun Savers” in the app store to get started.
- T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs at .
Fancy a free fiver?
YOU can get FREE cash with super Sun Savers just for buying your favourite paper.
Our brilliant new rewards club will pay back our most loyal readers.
Just pick up the paper each day to collect your Sun Savers codes and we will GIVE YOU £5 when you have collected 28.
This isn’t a one-off and there is no limit to how much cash you can save.
For every 28 codes you enter, we will give you a fiver. So over the course of a year, that could add up to £65.
We are keeping it super-simple. You don’t have to enter codes from consecutive days, so don’t worry if you forget a day or two.
Download our easy Sun Savers app and quickly scan your code using your smartphone. Or go online and enter your code at .
most read in money
To get you on your way, join today and we will put a bonus £1 in your Sun Savers wallet tomorrow. And the good news doesn’t stop with free cash.
With Sun Savers, we give you the best hacks, deals and tips to save money every single day.
TO JOIN: Don’t worry, folks — joining takes just 30 seconds, in three steps.