Double your school savings

CASEY parents can join a program that matches their savings dollar for dollar to help cover the costs of school items.
The Brotherhood of St Laurence Saver Plus program motivates parents to save for school books, uniforms, computers and excursions by matching their savings up to $500.
Saver Plus worker Sandra Scott said many families found it hard to afford back-to-school costs.
“Saver Plus encourages families to save small amounts of money throughout the year using simple techniques such as budgets, spending diaries and prompting people to consider needs versus wants,” Ms Scott said.
Financial education workshops called MoneyMinded are also part of the program. “Back-to-school items can cost hundreds of dollars for a single child and increase significantly when extra-curricular activities such as excursions, camps and cooking, woodwork and textile classes are included.”
The program was developed by Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ in 2002. Cranbourne ANZ branch manager John Zontanos said his branch looked forward to assisting local participants to save and make regular deposits.
“ANZ is proud to support this great program and to be working closely with our community partners to create pathways to financial security and prosperity, particularly for disadvantages communities,” Mr Zontanos said.
Saver Plus is open to people who have a health care or pension card, some form of regular support income from employment, have children enrolled in school or who are attending or returning to vocational education themselves.
For information, call 8781 5937.