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5 ‘Pop’ ways to save during back-to-school shopping
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"Pop Talk," hosted by Tonipet Gaba, airs every Saturday, 8:00 p.m. on GMA News TV. Like the Pop Talk Facebook page and follow the @PopTalkNewsTV Twitter account for more food, gadget, and getaway reviews!
Fact: School expenses don't end once tuition fees are paid. Other school materials like notebooks, uniforms and baon also rack up the expenses.
Since these additional costs are unavoidable, the best thing to do is to know how to minimize them. Here are some “pop na pop” ways to save money this back-to-school season.
1. Stick to your lists and budget.
Before even going to the mall, make a list of all the things you need to buy, and the amount you’re willing to spend on each, and stick to that. Before buying school materials, check if there are old pens, bags or clothes that can still be used. Just because it's a new school year doesn't mean that every school stuff must be brand new.
Sometimes, teachers require students to have specific types of notebooks and binders for their classes. Wait until you have the complete list of requirements before you head out to a supplies shop. Not only will you avoid purchasing the wrong item, you will also save up on time and gas.
Allocating fixed amounts for daily school expenses will also help you spend your money wisely. Help your kids make a school budget using their allowance so that they will learn to manage their own money.
2. Look for the best shopping places.
Buying affordable school supplies is not a problem if you know where to find them. While heading to Divisoria might be an obvious option for people who want to spend less, there are also other places that provide the same service.
For example, Uniwide at Rizal Avenue, Caloocan, has everything from pencil sets (P10), notebooks (P10), crayons (P38.50), and essay booklets (P6) to bags (P169), shoes (P150), and umbrellas (P79). "Nandun na ang lahat," "Pop Talk" celebrity reviewer Isabel Granada remarked. "I think it's safe naman to shop there at saka hindi ganun ka-crowded."
You can also go straight to school and office supply warehouses like The Paper City at Potrero, Malabon City, where you can buy school materials in bulk at their factory prices.
Don't forget that public markets also sell school supplies and ready-to-wear uniforms. "Palengke 'yan eh so basta marunong kang maghanap, basta masipag kang maghanap, lahat ng kailangan mo, makikita mo," "Pop Talk" guest reviewer Anthony Abella said. He and the other "Pop Talk" reviewers appreciated that places like the Marikina Public Market allow customers to bargain for lower prices.
3. Be creative with old school materials.
Recycling secondhand books or using the remaining blank pages of your previous notebooks doesn't mean that you have to resign yourself to shabby-looking materials.
Do-it-yourself enthusiast Maisha Dela Cruz recommends wrapping old books and notebooks with spare cloth from old shirts and jeans. The more colorful and varied, the better. Mary Jane Tan, a DIY expert, suggests that using photos of historical places and heroes or writing vocabulary words on notebook covers will also help students associate school materials with their actual school subjects.
4. Think ahead.
Planning ahead gives you a better chance of controlling how much you spend. Create a menu in advance and bring your own lunch to school instead of eating at school cafeterias, restaurants or fast food chains. Other than allowing you to save by using your own ingredients, this method also gives you the chance to prepare healthier food.
If your children are still growing, buy larger uniforms for this school year and adjust and fold it to fit their sizes. You can readjust the uniform's size once your kids outgrow the uniforms in the following school year. Stick to the basics and refrain from getting carried away by trends if they go to school in civilian clothes.
5. Find the most convenient means of transportation.
Transportation fare takes up a large bulk of a student's allowance, so choosing a means of transportation that is both affordable and comfortable also means making the most out of your money. Join a family or friend carpool or choose a school service that follows LTFRB's school service standards if they're available. Walk to your next college building if it is in a reasonable distance.
— Lara Gonzales/CM, GMA News
Check out more back-to-school “Pop Talk” reviews:
