As School Needs Rise, Here's How to Manage Spending Flexibly

Ahead of the new school year, many families in Indonesia are facing increased spending on education. From school supplies to learning devices like laptops and tablets, and even course fees, these needs often arise simultaneously. For some households, this period represents one of the highest spending pressures of the year, not only because of the volume of needs but also due to the short timeframe in which they must be met to avoid disrupting children’s learning. Buy now pay later (BNPL) services have become a widely used option to support these needs. This system allows people to make purchases first and pay in instalments over a certain period, so the financial burden does not have to be borne all at once. One BNPL provider, Indodana Finance, views the new school year as a crucial period in the public spending cycle. Through a programme called Back to School, the company is offering various deals aimed at helping people meet educational needs more flexibly. Indodana Finance Director Iwan Dewanto stated that educational expenses often come all at once, requiring more careful financial planning. “We are committed to providing easy access and comfortable, safe financing flexibility so that parents can prepare for their children’s educational needs in a more planned manner,” Iwan said in a statement. Through the programme, users can take advantage of promotions such as 0% instalments and discounts on educational needs from mid-June to the end of July 2026. The offers cover various categories, including technology devices, school supplies, educational courses, and even fashion and lifestyle items. In the learning devices category, laptops and gadgets are among the most sought-after items ahead of the new school year. These devices now serve not only as supporting tools but also as essential parts of the modern, increasingly digital-based learning process. Meanwhile, in the non-formal education sector, people are also allocating more budget for language courses, skills training, and personal development classes. This trend shows that educational needs are no longer limited to formal schooling but also include competency enhancement outside the main curriculum. Beyond core educational needs, family spending often extends to other categories such as clothing, personal items, and family entertainment. This commonly occurs as part of preparations for the new school year, especially for children entering a new educational phase. With the increasing variety of these needs, financial management flexibility has become a growing concern for the public. Digital financing services like BNPL are one option used to help manage spending in line with each family’s financial situation. However, financial observers stress the importance of using such financing services wisely. Easy access to digital credit must be balanced with careful repayment planning to avoid creating financial burdens in the future.