By Justine Davies

Here's how to pay less for absolutely everything at school and save yourself thousands of dollars.

In pictures

After the great super-saving tips below, don't miss our gallery of
back to school items for under $10!

Tax refunds for education

If you do want to buy a new, faster computer for your child, don't forget to claim for the Government's new school education tax refund, starting in the 2008-09 financial year.

Although it's income tested, most families on Tax Benefit A (more than 75 per cent of Aussie families with dependent children) will be able to claim expenses for a child's computer, internet connection, software, school textbooks and stationery.

To be eligible, your combined household taxable income has to be less than $100,801 for one child; less than $111,082 for two children and less than $122,263 for three children (although the limit is higher if you have two or three children aged 13 to 15).

"This means for computers, internet connection, software, school textbooks and stationery you will get 50 per cent of the purchase price back on your tax. There is a maximum of $375 that can be claimed for each primary school child and $750 for each high-schooler in the family. However, you will need to keep all receipts as proof of purchase," says a spokesman for Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan.

And don't be tempted to claim the one computer as both a business tool for you and an education expense for your child. The Taxation Office only allows one bite of the cherry.

However, if you buy two computers — one for your business, and then a second for one of your children — you can put in claims for both.

You save:
Up to $750 for a high-schooler (claiming purchases of $1500) or up to $375 for a primary-schooler (claiming purchases of $750). For more, go to www.educationtaxrefund.gov.au

Computers

Need to get your child online without forking out a fortune? Consider giving them your old computer, buying a new one for yourself and writing it off on tax.

"If you use your computer primarily for work-related purposes, then potentially you can claim the purchase price as a tax deduction or, even better, salary sacrifice it, if you buy a laptop," says Tim Fredericks from Suncorp Financial Planners.

"Someone on a marginal tax rate of 30 per cent, for example, could reduce the cost of a $1200 laptop to be only $840 out of pocket by salary sacrificing it.

Always check with your accountant first, though, to make sure you are eligible to do this."

You save:
$360 this year. Now, that's love at first byte!

Pack a lunch

Invest in a quality aluminium water bottle for your child and fill it with tap water. Add a sandwich and some fruit and you're looking at a cost of about $1.80 per day (or $720 per year for two kids, based on lunch for five days a week, for 40 weeks of the year). This versus $5 a day for a bought lunch and drink (or $2000 for two children).

You save:
$1280.

Love your eBay

As a schoolteacher and mum, Nina Farrance knows textbooks can range from $30 to $100 per book. "But I found that I could find much cheaper on eBay," she says.

Nina says it's important to know which edition you're looking for, and to check the details with the seller. "A brand new English novel from the bookstore can cost around $20 — I've often picked them up on eBay for two or three dollars."

You save:
$90 or more. Five novels bought second-hand alone can save you $90 this year. Buying school clothes or musical instruments on eBay can save you hundreds more.

More super savers

• Children always seem to lose things, but you can minimise lost property by sewing a button on your child's hat so they can identify it easily. And always label your child's belongings. A School Pack for $41.95 from You Name It — Labels! has 245 vinyl, fabric and pencil labels. Visit www.younameitlabels.com
• Cover schoolbooks with Contact, to protect them.
• Sell pre-loved items on eBay or to kids in the year below your child's to fund new purchases.
• Use an old safety razor to remove pilling on a jumper and keep it looking new.
• Buy hats, uniforms, blazers and jumpers second-hand from the school clothing pool.

In pictures

For more ways to make back-to-school fun for all with great buys that are easy on the wallet, don't miss our back to school for under $10 gallery!

Your say

Do you have any handy money-saving tips for back-to-school time? Share them below...