Parents make the grade with savvy September spending

As the summer draws to a close, UK shops are filling up with parents kitting this year's back to schoolers out. However, how they pay for this year's uniform, stationery and sportswear is a different story as the recession continues to curb spending for the majority of Brits.

According to new research from Quidco, UK cashback site, Mums throughout the UK are resorting to more measures that tighten purse strings, including hand-me-down clothing and up-cycling. The new research reveals that nearly one in eight shoppers now accept hand-me-down clothes for their children, whereas six per cent would never have dreamed of doing so before the recession.

What's more, consumers are choosing to modify clothing rather than buying new. Over one in six UK adults admit they're tempted to turn their hand to the sewing machine instead of hitting the shops. This marks a huge shift in attitude, as nine per cent of respondents declared this a money saving method they would never explore prior to the recession.

Value for money during an expensive month is increasingly important with over a third of shoppers looking to vouchers and discount codes on a regular basis.

Andy Oldham, Managing Director at Quidco, comments: "Parents are going the extra mile nowadays to be as savvy as possible with their September spending. Kitting out the kids can be an expensive process, but it's encouraging to see shoppers increasingly using the wide range of resources available to them to cut costs.

"Quidco is committed to providing great cashback deals both online and in-store, and has plenty of existing offers for back to schoolers to take advantage of."

Quidco Back to School Cashback Offers

 Apple: Buy a Mac for college and get £70 to spend on apps + 3% cashback

Apple: Students, teachers and staff get a £35 iTunes Gift Card when they buy an iPad + 4% cashback (expires 2nd September)

Clarks: (EXCLUSIVE to Quidco members) Back to school shoes from £25 + 6% cashback

Microsoft: (EXCLUSIVE to Quidco members) 15% off Office Home & Student 2012 + 23% cashback (expires 2nd September)

Marks & Spencer: Save £5 on kidswear + up to 6% cashback

JJB Sports: 6% cashback in-store

Asda George: 6% cashback for all sales including Schoolwear

Orange: £80 cashback for Pay Monthly SIM Only 12 or 18 month contracts

Quidco pays ‘cashback' when people make a purchase from any of the 3,300 retailers listed on its website, by paying the retailers commission directly to the shopper. In addition to cashback offered (both online and in store) Quidco also offers printable vouchers, voucher codes and car, home and travel insurance comparison tools. It has two million users and continues to increase the amount of cashback returned year on year.