What Smart Parents Are Doing During Back-to-School Season (Hint: It’s Not Just Shopping!)

When you think of back-to-school season, it’s always the anticipation and glee when it comes to shopping for school supplies. But more than just buying new notebooks, flashy pens, and uniforms, did you know that the back-to-school season is also the perfect opportunity to teach kids about budgeting? As prices rise and the financial landscape in the Philippines continue to fluctuate, parents can turn this yearly tradition into a valuable money lesson for their children. After all, being wise with one’s own money is a life skill that isn’t always taught in school—but it can start at home.

Here’s how parents can transform back-to-school shopping into a fun and educational budgeting lesson for the whole family.

Once you mention the magic word 'mall,' kids will surely be the first to excitedly pack their bags. But before rushing to the mall or browsing online shops, it is important to sit down first as a family and talk about the budget for schooling. Let your kids see the big picture—how much the family is planning to spend and what essentials need to be prioritized. Use this chance to explain needs versus wants. For example, you might want to consider a handcrafted pencil case rather than a designer one.

Now that the budget is finalized, start discussing with your child the list of school essentials—uniforms, supplies, gadgets, and more. Let your children do the categorizing and assigning estimated costs to each item as this will help encourage decision-making. To keep your child engaged, you can turn the discussing into a “shopping challenge” where your child must try to get everything they need under a set budget.

Back-to-school shopping is a great way to teach kids smart spending habits. Show them how to:

• Compare prices from different stores
• Read product reviews
• Look for bundle promos or deals

You can also introduce tools like Home Credit for flexible installment deals on big purchases like laptops and smartphones. If you want to compare specifications when buying laptop, Shoppingmall.ph offers a similar feature while ensuring you get the best offers from trusted brands in the Philippines.

It may feel risky to give kids money, but it's a powerful way to teach them budgeting. By letting them manage a set amount—whether in cash or through an e-wallet—they learn to prioritize and make choices, like buying their own school supplies. If they overspend on one item, they’ll see the impact firsthand. It’s a practical, hands-on lesson in real-world budgeting within a safe environment.

After the shopping discussion and exercise, sit down and talk about what went well and what could be improved. Did they stay within budget? Were the purchases made out of needs or more on wants? This reflection helps kids understand the consequences of their choices—good or bad. Celebrate if your kids if they were able to budget well! Positive reinforcement encourages them to make smart money decisions in the future.

Turning back-to-school shopping into a family budgeting lesson doesn’t just help your wallet—it helps your children build a strong sense of financial management. This will prepare them as they enter adulting one day and handle bigger responsibilities like paying debts on time, managing credit scores, and investing in businesses. With a little planning, teamwork, and guidance, your kids can become money-smart early on.