Backpacks, indoor shoes, lunch bags, team sign-ups, pizza day forms, field trips, after-school care, and snacks… so many snacks.

If you’re a parent in London, Ontario, you know that back-to-school isn’t cheap. In fact, a lot of families tell me it feels like a second Christmas — just without the vacation days.

And if this year feels tighter than ever, you’re not imagining it. With the cost of living rising across the board, even the most organized budgeters are feeling the pinch.

But here’s the question I want to ask you:

What if your mortgage could actually help with that?

Let’s Talk Real Numbers

A 2024 Canadian survey found that the average family spends $700–$1,000 per child on back-to-school costs — and that’s just to get through September.

By the time you add:
- Clothes and shoes (because they grew again)
- School supplies
- Lunch containers and water bottles
- Sports equipment and club fees
- After-school programs or care

You’re easily looking at $2,000+ per child by the time October hits. For a family with two or three kids? That’s a full month’s income gone.

A True Story from a London Family

One local family I worked with last summer had two kids going into school and one starting daycare. Between the supply lists, the camp fees for the last weeks of August, and the upfront daycare deposit, they had to put $4,200 on a line of credit.

They weren’t irresponsible — they were just caught off guard (like most parents are). They were also feeling the weight of monthly payments piling up — daycare, mortgage, groceries, bills, gas, and now interest on that line of credit too.

We looked at their mortgage and realized they had enough equity to consolidate that credit line and a few other debts. Their new mortgage payment went up slightly — but they cleared $22,000 in debt and freed up over $900/month in cash flow.

What Does This Have to Do With Cash Flow?

Everything.

Cash flow isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about how much you get to keep and use — especially during expensive seasons like back-to-school.

Here’s how I help parents create more of it:

✅ Refinance to consolidate high-interest debt
A smart way to tackle multiple bills and lower your overall payments.

✅ Access equity to cover upcoming family expenses
No scrambling, no high-interest borrowing, just a plan that works with your life.

✅ Restructure your mortgage for lower monthly payments
Sometimes it’s as simple as switching lenders or extending amortization.

A Mortgage Isn’t Just a Loan — It’s a Tool

The truth is, your mortgage doesn’t have to be this “set-it-and-forget-it” thing. It can be used strategically to support your family’s financial goals — not just once every five years, but when life throws curveballs too.

And if back-to-school season is putting pressure on your finances, this might be the perfect time to talk.

Want to Know What’s Possible?

I’ll run the numbers, show you your options, and help you decide what’s best for your family — no pressure, no commitment, just clarity.

🔗 Book a free discovery call: https://jasmortgages.ca/book-appointment 
📍 Based in London, Ontario | Helping families province-wide

P.S. You don’t need to budget harder — you just need a better strategy.
Let’s make this school year feel lighter, together.