Money-Saving Hacks for Back-to-School Shopping
With the persistent high inflation and increased prices of consumer goods, paying for school supplies would be harder for households operating on a stretched budget. The Philippine Statistics Authority recently reported that inflation surged 6.4% year-on-year last July, exceeding the 6.1% record in June.
As the new school year looms, the Department of Trade and Industry said that the prices of school supplies could shoot up due to higher global fuel costs. Finding a space in your household budget might be a challenge. We rounded up these money-saving hacks for back-to-school shopping:
📝 Make a list. It’s common to buy school supplies in bulk because the extra items will be kept for future use. Before you go to the stores, search your home and you’ll likely see pens, paper, notebooks, etc. tucked away. You may also find tech essentials (e.g. flash drive, earphones) that you (or your kids) may reuse. From there, you can list down the school supplies that you need to buy so you avoid buying unnecessary items.
🔖 Compare prices. It is a shopping technique that you should try this back-to-school season. This requires so much time and effort but you’ll be able to get the best deals and prices. Plus, sticking to your shopping list will be a lot easier.
🛒 Shop online. If you’re looking for a more convenient experience, do back-to-school shopping online. With a few clicks and taps, you can choose from a wide selection of products. You can easily compare brands and prices as well. While you’re at it, check out discounts, promotions, and coupon codes that you may avail.
💻 Buy refurbished tech items. Nowadays, most students need their own devices for remote learning or extended learning opportunities. You can keep tech expenses at a minimum by purchasing near-mint condition refurbished or barely used electronics: laptops, smartphones, tablets.
🎒 Take advantage of student discounts. Look out for student-specific discounts and exclusive perks. There are a bunch of sources from transportation, learning resources (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, Zoom, Canva, Coursera), productivity apps, and more!
Sticking to a budget for back-to-school spending might be a bit difficult when inflation is on the rise. For parents, the back-to-school season is a perfect time to educate and involve your kids in planning and budgeting. Allow them to create their own shopping list that is within a budget. This will help them better understand the value of money and become mindful spenders.
SAVii, your reliable Salary Finance Platform, is here to help you survive tough times. Through the Tuition Fee and School Expenses salary loan programs, you can confidently build a stable and brighter future for you or your children.
Reach out to your HR today and see if you can apply for a loan with us. If you have an existing account with SAVii, login to your Employee Dashboard now!