Deco, a consumer protection organization, shared a set of tips to help Portuguese families better manage their finances during the back-to-school period. The article notes that the end of August is financially challenging for families with school-age children, as regular expenses increase significantly with the start of the new school year.
Among the practical suggestions, Deco recommends that families make a detailed shopping list, check the condition of existing school supplies, and prioritize essential items. The organization also suggests reusing materials from previous years and sharing with family and friends, noting that this practice saves money and helps the environment.
The article also advises families to consider buying second-hand goods, especially clothing and footwear, and to take advantage of promotions and sales. Deco emphasizes the importance of comparing prices both in physical stores and online, doing advance research to verify whether promotional campaigns are actually beneficial.
Regarding precautions, Deco warns of the need to carefully evaluate the use of credit, whether through credit cards or personal loans, noting that this option can represent additional interest charges. Finally, the organization reminds consumers that it is important to always request receipts with their tax identification number in order to deduct these expenses on their tax return.
