Canna Campbell Back To School Money Saving Tips Interview

Canna Campbell Back To School Money Saving Tips Interview

Purchasing school supplies is the most stressful thing about the back to school period according to two thirds of Australian parents, research by Officeworks has revealed.

Hand me downs (52%) and used products (37%) are common techniques used to cut costs, while one third of parents reduce the amount of money spent on entertainment (32%) and dining out (28%).

Mums and dads also shop around their options to find the best prices with three quarters (72%) of parents going to different stores as well as online, to buy their children's school supplies.

Finance expert, Canna Campbell has partnered with Officeworks to provide helpful advice to parents to relieve some of the stress this back to school: 'Back to school doesn't need to be a dreaded time of year, there are a number of ways parents can even make it a fun experience for the whole family.

'The research tells us that price is the biggest factor determining where parents' shop, so things like the Parents Price Promise (PPP)* from Officeworks are very helpful for families at this time of year. Basically, if parents find an identical stocked item on a quoted school list at a lower price, Officeworks will beat it by 20%.*

'Organisation is also key when it comes to saving money at back to school time – by starting shopping earlier, parents have more opportunity to shop around for the best products rather than doing a last minute scramble," she said.

Officeworks National Merchandise Manager, Jim Berndelis, said: 'The back to school period can be stressful for parents, so we aim to make the experience as enjoyable and hassle-free as we can.

'With a huge range of school essentials, convenient extended trading hours, free School List Service and a handy Tech Selector, Officeworks is the one stop shop for back to school.

Plus we've found that families with three children can save an average of $300 by shopping with us," he said.

To browse a wide range of products, helpful services, articles and videos for back to school visit: www.officeworks.com.au/campaigns/back-to-school

Budget Friendly Back To School Tips

Make a list
Having a shopping list will not only help you stay organised and prepared, it will also keep you focused so that you only buy what you need instead the newest most exciting products. There are a tonne of apps you can use to keep your lists ultra-organised – jump onto the app store and find one that suits you.

Check what you already own
Go through your home and see what items on your list you already own. This may take a while but it will force you to get organised and will stop you from wasting money by doubling up. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to see what needs to be replaced and you might uncover some hidden gems. Consider what you could get your hands on from family and friends too, hand me downs are a great option to save costs!

Shop how you want
These days there are so many different ways to shop – online, click and collect, on the phone or in-store. With retailers like Officeworks, you can choose from any of those for not only back to school, but every other day of the year. Shopping online can save time and makes comparing prices quick and easy. But if you like to get your kids involved and enjoy the experience, then in-store is another great option, where you can get them involved in the process of making lists, checking prices, understanding the difference between needs and wants. They will learn to understand the importance of value and hopefully show greater appreciation and care for what you buy for them

Check out Officeworks
Not only does Officeworks have a great range of products at great prices they also have a Parents Price Promise, which means if you find an identical stocked item on a quoted school list at a lower price, Officeworks will beat it by 20%. When comparing school lists, a family of three who shops at Officeworks can save approximately $300 on their back to school shop. Officeworks also has a free School List Service where you can upload your kids' Back to School list online or drop it off in-store, and they will gather all the products for you and package it up, so all you need to do is swing by your local store and collect it.

Focus on quality
If something looks poorly made or won't survive your kid's wear and tear regime, simply don't buy it. Unlike other retailers at back to school, Officeworks offers all of the brands on school booklists, plus some of their own, so you'll find something that meets your quality and budget requirements.

Invest in a labeller
Let's be honest, kids lose a lot of stuff….all the time. If you can label as a many things as possible (within reason) right from the get-go, you are more likely to have these things find their way back home and save you money having to replace them. Particularly important with school tech devices considering the investment made!

Go green
Try buying things that are made of recycled or recyclable materials. An easy way to do this is by looking for back to school essentials carrying the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which means products come from well managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. As well as that consider reusable products like sandwich bags, aluminium water bottles, refillable pens and reusable sticker books. Not only will this save you money in the long run, it is so much better for our environment.

Start early
It's very easy to take a laid back approach as summer kicks in and not thinking about supplies until the week before classes start, but organisation is vital when it comes to back to school time. By starting earlier, parents have more opportunity to shop around for the best products rather than doing a last minute scramble and spending more than expected.

Interview with Officeworks' Finance Expert, Canna Campbell

Question: What costs do parents need to be aware of, approaching the start of the school year?

Canna Campbell: New research by Officeworks has shown that new uniforms and stationery (77%) are on the top of most parents' lists in the new school year, followed by new text books (51%), new PCs or laptops (20%) and new smartphones or tablets (17%).


Question: Why do 65% of Aussie parents find the cost of school supplies the most stressful aspect?

Canna Campbell: It's likely because back to school time is just after Christmas and the festive season, which can be an expensive time for families. However there are many ways to make back to school shopping less stressful. If you haven't started your shopping yet head into your local Officeworks because until Sunday (29 Jan) the one stop shop retailer is offering a Parent's Price Promise which offers parents who find an identical stocked item on a quoted school list at a lower price, Officeworks will beat it by 20%


Question: What other key stats did you find interesting regarding Back To School pressures on parents?

Canna Campbell: It's interesting to see that hand me downs (52%) and used products (37%) are common techniques used to cut costs, while one third of parents reduce the amount of money spent on entertainment (32%) and dining out (28%).

Mums and dads also shop around their options to find the best prices, with three quarters (72%) of parents going to different stores as well as online, to buy their children's school supplies.


Question: Can you share with us, your finance tips for the Back To School costs?

Canna Campbell: The best things to do are:

Make a list - Having a shopping list will not only help you stay organised and prepared, it will also keep you focused so that you only buy what you need instead the newest most exciting products. There are a tonne of apps you can use to keep your lists ultra-organised – jump onto the app store and find one that suits you

The research tells us that price is the biggest factor determining where parents' shop, so things like the Parents Price Promise (PPP)* from Officeworks are very helpful for families at this time of year. Basically, if parents find an identical stocked item on a quoted school list at a lower price, Officeworks will beat it by 20%.*

Organisation is also key when it comes to saving money at back to school time – by starting shopping earlier, parents have more opportunity to shop around for the best products rather than doing a last minute scramble.


Question: How can parents break down the financial Back To School barriers?

Canna Campbell: There are a few easy ways that parents can combat the financial stress that comes with back to school time. One of the best things to do is to start back to school shopping early. It's often easier to take a laid back approach as summer kicks in and not think about supplies until the week before classes start, but organisation is vital at back to school time. By starting earlier, you have more opportunity to shop around for the best products rather than doing a last minute scramble and spending more than expected. Officeworks has 163 stores nationally, longer trading hours, same day delivery and lots of car parking on offer to make your back to school shopping easier.


Question: And, then how can parents stay ahead for the 2017 school year?

Canna Campbell: Buy a labeller –Let's be honest, kids lose a lot of stuff….all the time. If you can label as a many things as possible (within reason) right from the get-go, you are more likely to have these things find their way back home and save you money having to replace them. Particularly important with school tech devices considering the investment made!

Focus on quality -If something looks poorly made or won't survive your kid's wear and tear regime, simply don't buy it. Unlike other retailers at back to school, Officeworks offers all of the brands on school booklists, plus some of their own, so you'll find something that meets your quality and budget requirements.


Question: Where can parents save money during January to cover Back To School costs?

Canna Campbell: Head into Officeworks! Not only do they have a great range of products at low prices, when comparing school lists, a family of three who shops at Officeworks can save approximately $300 on their back to school shop. Officeworks also has a free School List Service where you can upload your kids' Back to School list online or drop it off in-store, and they will gather all the products for you and package it up, so all you need to do is swing by your local store and collect it.

For the secondary year levels, technology has become a must have item, so selecting a device that the kids can use for both school and personal use gives parents strong value for money. In saying that parents don't need to spend up big on technology, there are plenty of tech options available for all schooling needs – the Officeworks Tech Selector is a great place to start and showcases a variety of hardware at all costs.


*Back to School Parents' Price Promise If a customer finds an identical stocked item on a quoted school list at a lower price, then Officeworks will beat it by 20%. Offer is only applicable on prices that appear on valid 2017 school book lists for the quantity listed. This offer is valid on identical stocked or Officeworks-deemed equivalent items where identical products are not available. This offer also excludes competitor out of stocks, categories or items not ranged and items available only for customer order at Officeworks. Offer available 01/09/16 to 29/01/17. It cannot be used in conjunction with Officeworks' 5% Lowest Price Guarantee.


Interview by Brooke Hunter