We can't deny it any longer: Christmas is just around the corner. For everyone, this time of year is pretty exxy – between the extra festive get-togethers, gift shopping and making the most of all the fun events that pop up over summer – the bank balance suffers. Not to mention, if you've got kids in the picture, the silly season expenses balloon even further. But luckily, Victorian families will get a bit of a leg up to help ease the pressure, with financial help for school-related expenses. Now that's something to smile about.
The state government has introduced a School Saving Bonus, a $400 supplement for Victorian families with school-aged children. This applies to all kids enrolled in public schools, as well as eligible families in non-government schools.
The bonus is designed to help out with all the extra school expenses that pile up at the end of the year, like new textbooks, uniforms, camps, excursions and extracurricular activities. Plus, the bonus applies to each child, so families with three kids can get a total of $1,200. Recipients can choose how to spend the funds, accessing the monetary boost through an online portal.
It's a nice silver lining that means there's a bit of extra cash to spend on holiday presents or a family getaway. If you want to find out more about the School Saving Bonus, all the information is here.
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