The summer holidays are in full swing but in the back of your mind, you know that the new school year is coming soon. Fair for You is here to help you have fun as a family and get you ready for September without spending all your money at once.
Before the school uniforms come out, you can enjoy the last weeks of summer. You can have fun as a family. And you can get ready for September without spending all your money at once.
Make the Most of Summer
Some of the best family memories happen in these last weeks of August.
Whether you’re in the park or your garden, now is a great time to get outside. A new bike can bring a lot of smiles. It could be a first balance bike for a toddler. Or a bigger bike for an older child who has grown out of their old one. There is something for every age.
Scooters and skateboards are also cheaper ways to get your kids moving.
Here are some fun ideas for a budget-friendly summer:
- Go for a family bike ride. Find a local trail, pack a picnic, and turn a normal day into an adventure.
- Play games in the garden. You don't need to go far to have a lovely afternoon.
- Make a summer bucket list. Sit down together and make plans to tick off anything you haven't done yet.
- Take a day trip somewhere new. Even somewhere close by can feel special when you're together.
The moments your children remember don’t need a big budget.
Then Comes the Big Back-to-School Job
The shops are filling up with pencil cases. The mornings will need an alarm clock again. Back-to-school time brings its own kind of busyness. There are uniforms, shoes, pens, bags and often, a laptop or tablet for homework or school work.
This is when money can feel tight. It is rarely just one thing. It's the uniform and the shoes and the PE kit and maybe a laptop too - all at the same time. It's no wonder that late August and early September can feel like the hardest time of year to budget for.
If a laptop or tablet is on your shopping list this year, we have lots of choices. Prices start from under £100 for a tablet, great for younger kids using school apps. There are also iPads and laptops for older kids doing homework and school projects. A printer is another thing families often forget - until the first homework project needs printing. There are cheap wireless printers too.
Spread the Cost, Not the Stress
This is where Fair for You can help. We know the back-to-school bill rarely comes as one easy payment. It's a pile of costs all landing at the worst time - often right after summer days have already used up the budget.
Our household loan lets you borrow up to £600 and spread the cost of what your family needs. That could be a new bike, a laptop for school, or a tablet for homework. You pay in small weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly or monthly amounts. This means you don't need to find all the money at once.
We are here because we believe that fair, flexible credit should be there for families, even if banks or other lenders have said no. We are a not-for-profit lender. Our loans let you spread the cost of your purchase in a way that actually works for you.
Easy Budgeting Tips for the Weeks Ahead
- Write a list before you shop. Uniform, shoes, pens, bag, tech - write it all down so nothing surprises you.
- Decide what you need now and what can wait. Does the laptop need to be bought this week? Or could you spread the cost over a few months instead?
- Check what you already have. Last year's PE kit might still fit. A sibling's old bike might just need fixing up, not replacing.
- Spread big costs out. Instead of one big spend in the last week of August, think about a payment plan that could ease the pressure.
- Save some money for summer fun too. Even a free day out or a picnic in the park is worth planning for. These small moments often matter the most.
Enjoy What's Left, Then Get Ready for September
The end of summer does not need to be a rush. Getting ready for school does not need to cause stress. With a bit of planning, you and your family can enjoy these last weeks of summer and walk into September feeling ready, not rushed.
If you need a new household essential, Fair for You is here to help. We can help you spread the cost so that you can focus on what really matters - the memories you make together, and giving your children a great start to the new school year.
Want to know more about how a Fair for You household loan works? Or take a look at our bikes, scooters, laptops and tablets to see how you could spread the cost this back-to-school season.
Fair for You loans are subject to eligibility and affordability checks. Missed payments may affect your credit file. Only borrow what you can afford to repay.