The start of the school year brings a wave of shopping for Portuguese families, but school-related expenses extend far beyond September. Spending on school supplies is only the visible part of a broader set of costs that extend throughout the entire year.
Among the main expenses families face are school meals, extracurricular activities, transportation, and after-school care. Added to these are equipment costs, which can significantly increase the annual bill.
The article notes that these accumulated costs represent a considerable burden on the family budget, especially for families with multiple children of school age. Financial management during the school year thus becomes a constant challenge for households.
