Soaring back to school costs are leaving parents £1.2billion worse off a year, figures show.
That's according to retail platform Mintel which said the annual cost of heading back to school has risen 36% in the past year - up from £855million to £1.16billion.
In total, more than £100million was spent on stationery, including notebooks, pens and pencil cases last year, compared with £65million in 2017. And the figures are rising.
So much so that two-fifths of parents now say they feel under pressure to buy their children back-to-school products - much of which they cannot afford.
It's led many to think outside the box when it comes to back to school essentials - including getting ahead of free school travel and the school uniform grant.
A further third of parents say they'll also be considering second-hand items to help stick to their budget this year.
But elsewhere, others are chasing the bargains on the high street. On Facebook page Extreme Couponing, parents are obsessing over a new Poundland lunchbox that they say will save them "a small fortune".
The one-stop-shop has been spotted selling matching lunch bag and water bottle sets - and parents say the colourful designs, with animals adorned on them, are wonderful.
However, the matching sets, perfect for both boys and girls come in at £5 - a little dearer than you'd expect at the bargain chain.
One parent said: "It works out cheaper than if you buy the items separately" but another slammed Poundland for the pricing.
"Ideal for little ones but they aren't £1. A lot of people can't afford £5 unfortunately," she said.
Have you got any back to school bargains to share? Let us know in the comments section below.
