SPONSORED | How to keep school costs from ruining your January

It’s easy to get swept up in the moment during the festive holidays, loosening your grip on your wallet as December winds down to a close, only to wake up after the New Year celebrations with a deep hole in your finances. This is especially concerning when it’s time to consider the January school budget, which can add additional pressure to your financial situation.

With January suddenly looming, millions of parents across the country will be staring down the first week of 2026, trying to reconcile their budgets as they face the annual financial strain of back-to-school costs for their children.

School expenses remain a huge contributing factor to financial pressure for parents from all walks of life. As the January school budget approaches, Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue and one of South Africa’s most recognised consumer finance experts, says that, along with essentials like food, electricity, and petrol, school necessities have become one of the major costs amounting to thousands of rands, besides the exorbitant monthly or annual school fees.

The cost of essentials, such as school fees, uniforms, textbooks, and stationery, adds up quickly, not to mention the additional expenses for sports equipment, technology, transportation, and class outings.

With family budgets already overstretched, the added expenses can be overwhelming, and, for many parents, it’s simply too personal an issue to reach out and ask for help or advice.

The burden this places on the household budget can be heavy. Parents must navigate choices, like deciding between adding debt on their credit cards or completely blowing their January school budget.

Navigating back-to-school expenses

Whether your children are taking the first daunting steps of their school career or super-troopers in their final years of High School, as parents, you will be familiar with the woes of trying to manage your budget, so that you don’t have to endure a month of Janu-worry – or worse.

Back-to-school doesn’t have to break the bank, and there are many smart ways to shave hundreds of rands off expenses.

Roets shares valuable tips on navigating the perils of the new school year and the associated expenses.

1. Get the hardest lesson out of the way first
   “Cultivating the financial discipline to stick to your budget – no matter how big or small- is the key to limiting stress. Understanding the limits of your budget and adopting firm resolve means you can approach the task of back-to-school spending, considering the reality of the January school budget,” Roets advises.
2. Buy second-hand wherever possible
   There are plenty of these types of markets around these days, e.g. ThriftFest, UPmarket, Facebook Marketplace – and don’t be too proud to re-use.
   “Many parents and households learn early on that second-hand shopping can be a lifesaver. School uniform “swap shops,” community groups, social media marketplaces and neighbourhood forums often offer great-quality items at a fraction of the retail price, and the savings really add up,” he points out.
3. If you do buy new, compare prices and shop smart
   “There are back-to-school sales at major and minor retail outlets. Shop around for the best prices. Consider ‘back-to-school’ combo packs – they’re often cheaper than buying items individually,” Roets points out.

Planning is everything

Financial experts, including Hayley Parry, money coach and facilitator at 1Life’s Truth About Money, emphasise the importance of preparation when it comes to the back-to-school outlay of expenses.

“Small steps can make a big difference, and a little planning today can create lasting peace of mind throughout the year. If you do find yourself going into January with your bank balance in the red, seek help from a registered debt counsellor who can assist you to manage your financial predicament,” concurs Roets, reminding you of the importance of an organised January school budget.

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