It’s almost time to get your kids back to school and, with the cost of living rising in South Africa, most parents will be wanting to make their budget stretch as much as possible. If you’re one of them, you’ll be glad to know we have a few savvy tips on how to prepare your children for school – as well as protect them financially in the future.

Our Top Back-To-School Shopping Tips

Don’t Buy What You Don’t Need 

Before you swipe that card, take a good look at what’s required for the school year – most schools will provide you with a list – and check it against what you already have.

Keep An Eye Out For Sales

Just about every retailer will be having a big back-to-school promotion. Subscribe to the newsletters of the places you already shop to be kept in the loop about any specials and take advantage of them but also be sure to shop around. If possible, anticipate your future needs and buy in bulk to save money in the long term.

Spring For Quality Where It Matters

Yes, certain brands are known for their quality but if your child is only going to use their sports bag once a week it doesn’t have to be a top of the line or sportswear branded item. Rather spend more on something they’ll wear or use every day, like a good quality pair of school shoes.

Don’t Forget About Buying Second Hand

Online market places are a great way to find other parents selling gently used school items, from scientific calculators and Oxford dictionaries to cricket bats for a fraction of what they’d cost if you had to buy them brand new.

How To Protect Your Children’s Financial Future

Investing in back-to-school supplies is one way you can prepare your child for a bright future, but it’s not the only way. Have you thought about getting life insurance?
If you choose MiWayLife, you’ll pay one low monthly premium for a 4-in-1 policy that includes funeral cover for you and your extended family members plus a terminal illness benefit. You can then rest assured that, in the event of your passing, your chosen beneficiary will receive a lump sum payout that can be used to pay school fees, books, stationery and more. This way, regardless of what the future holds, your children will receive the education they deserve.

Only want funeral cover? MiFuneral is our new fully-digital funeral policy you can buy online. As you get to choose how much cover you need, you can expect an affordable premium, You can even tailor your benefits to include assistance with end-of-life expenses and decide on a lump sum or monthly income payout to ensure those school fees are paid for, even if you weren’t there to see to it yourself.

Why All Parents Should Have A Will

Last but not least, don't forget about creating a Will. Having a Will lets you choose a trusted adult to look after your children if something unexpected happens. Without a Will, things can get complicated. Someone you might not have chosen could end up caring for your children and your family might face a long legal process just to appoint the guardian you prefer. But here's the good news! Creating a Will is easier than you think and MiWill can help you create one online.

The Bottom Line

Using our top tips can help you beat the back-to-school budget blues. But if you secure your family’s financial future with a life insurance policy, funeral cover and that all import Will, you’ll be able to ensure their education is a given, not just for this year, but the years to come. Now that’s A+ parenting!

Did you know:

You can now take out life cover with us online in a few simple steps. No calls and no agents! Make sure to take care of those you love today by buying MiWayLife cover online.