Hello, fellow mommies and daddies? Back-to-school na!! And though excited tayong lahat, back-to-school season also comes with its fair share of stress and expenses. But don’t worry, as a mom of 6 kids with 2 college students,  I’ve got you covered with some practical tips to help you save money, stay organized, and make this transition smooth and fun. Let’s turn the back-to-school hustle into an enjoyable experience for both you and your kids!

Stretch Your Budget with Smart Reuse and DIY

One of the best ways to save money during the back-to-school season is by reusing and recycling items from previous years. This is most effective kapag maraming kang anak na gaya ko. Here’s how you can make the most out of what you already have:

Check for Usable Supplies: Before buying new items, check what school supplies you already have. You might find notebooks with unused pages, pens that still work, or even last year’s backpack that’s still in good condition. Even used pencils can still be use so save these pencils kahit maliit na lang.

DIY Projects: Get creative and personalize old items. Use stickers, patches, or fabric paint to give old backpacks or pencil cases a fresh, new look. It’s a fun activity to do with your kids, too!

Uniform and shoes Check: Inspect school uniforms for any that still fit and are in good condition. Minor repairs like sewing a button or fixing a hem can make old uniforms look brand new. Using laundry detergents specializing in making clothes look new or whiter can also be a good trick for old uniforms. For shoes, if it still fits, no need to buy a new one. Shoe shine shops or repair shops are everywhere to help you make an old shoe look new.

Smart Shopping Tips: Maximize Savings with Maya

When it comes to shopping for school supplies, smart choices can help you stay within your budget. Here are some tips to make the most out of your shopping trips:

Use Maya for School Supplies: Maya offers an easy and convenient way to pay for school supplies, and you can even earn rewards! Whether you’re shopping in-store at SM, Robinsons, or online at Shopee or Lazada, Maya is your perfect shopping companion. 

• QRPh. Napakadali na ngayon magbayad gamit ang Maya! Sa QRPh enabled banks at e-wallet apps, simple lang—buksan mo lang ang Maya app at i-scan ang merchant QR Code. As easy as that!
• Pay with Maya Online. Get express checkout whenever you pay with Maya online.For Recurring Payments, Link your Maya Wallet to your favorite apps and sites. It makes checking out on your next transactions or maintaining your auto-renewing subscriptions super easy. For Single Purchases, Make fast and easy one-time payments to your trusted online stores. No more hassle!
• Maya Card. The Maya Card lets you pay ​anywhere in the world with style​! Tap, swipe, withdraw anywhere in the world with your Maya card.​ Pwede din i personalized ang card, and it is accepted worldwide, you can pay in over 200+ countries. And you can get it for free when you open a savings account, deposit P250, and spend at least P250 in the app. Maya card is also a premium card, own your very first Black Card with Maya card

Make a Shopping List: Maglista ng bibilhin to avoid unnecessary purchases. Include everything from notebooks to stickers for labeling your kids’ items.

Budget for Older Kids: For older kids, give them a budget and let them do their own shopping. This teaches them financial responsibility and helps them understand the value of money.

Maya Easy Credit: Kung absent ang budget para sa back-to-school season, don’t worry. Makakaasa kang perfect attendance si Maya. With Maya Easy Credit, you can get up to P30,000 in seconds—no paperwork needed. Use it to pay tuition fees or shop for school essentials without the stress. Here are some information from Maya website: 

• What is Maya Easy Credit? Maya Easy Credit is a 30-day credit line that you can use to pay bills, buy load, shop online or in-store, or simply transfer funds to your Maya Wallet when you need an extra budget.
• How to Apply For Maya Easy Credit? Just upgrade your Maya account and actively use the app to gain access to your own credit line!​ 
• How to use Maya Easy Credit? You can pay for goods and services using Maya Easy Credit at any partner merchant. To find out if Maya Easy Credit is accepted at your favorite store, just scan to pay via QR or checkout online and you should see Maya Easy Credit as a payment option. You may also view the list of stores that accept Maya Easy Credit payments at mayabank.ph/credit/

Smooth Transition Tips for Back-to-School

Getting back into the school routine can be challenging, but with these tips, you’ll have a smoother transition:

Establish a Routine: Set a consistent sleep schedule and morning routine a few weeks before school starts. This helps kids adjust and makes mornings less chaotic.

Organize a Station: Create a designated area for school items like bags, shoes, and supplies. This keeps everything in one place and makes the morning rush easier.

Plan Healthy Breakfasts: Ensure your kids have a complete and balanced breakfast. A nutritious start to the day boosts their energy and concentration levels, setting them up for a successful day at school.

What is a balanced breakfast? A complete and balanced breakfast must include at least one from the 3 group categories: go, glow, grow. Carbohydrates for energy booster, protein for muscle and tissue repair, fruits/vegetables for fiber and other nutrients. Hindi pwedeng rice or pandesal lang, make sure may palaman na meat or egg and add gulay of fruits. You can check my sandwich collection for a complete and balanced breakfast meal. 

Teach Financial Responsibility

Teaching kids about money management is crucial. Here’s how you can start:

Give Allowance in Full: Give older kids their allowance in full to help them learn how to budget and manage their money for a month. 

• How to compute your child’s allowance? Consider how many breaks they have and if they are commuting or not. 
• How much allowance do we give to our kids? Depending on their school level, for Grade 3, we don’t give him money, for Grades 8 and up, we give depending on how many breaks they have and we usually give every week. For college students, we give them a monthly allowance. 

Encourage Savings with Maya: Open a savings account with Maya and encourage your kids to save a portion of their allowance. Maganda din sya na pang transfer ng pera between you and your kids di ba? 

• Easy to Start for FREE Mga mommies, napakadali mag-start mag-save sa Maya! Kailangan lang ng 1 valid ID at walang minimum deposit.

• Up to 15% p.a. Everyday Pwede kang mag-boost ng interest all the way to 15% p.a.* kapag ginamit mo ang Maya para magbayad ng bills, bumili ng load, or gamitin ang Maya sa Card, QR, o Checkout at i-refer ang mga friends mo. *Base rate of 3.5% interest p.a. 

• Free Transfers Enjoy free Instapay* at PESONet transfers! *1x/ month InstaPay In para sa new Maya users. *5x/ month InstaPay Out para sa new Maya users.

• Safe and Secure Siguradong safe and secure ang Maya, regulated ito ng BSP at insured ng PDIC up to ₱500,000 bawat depositor.

Pack Snacks and Water: Encourage your kids to bring baon, even if it’s just water and snacks. This not only saves money but also ensures they have healthy options throughout the day.

Conclusion

Back-to-school season is an exciting time for both parents and kids. With these practical tips, you can make the most of this period without the stress. So, embrace the hustle, stay organized, and enjoy the excitement of a new school year! Happy back-to-school season, everyone!