Parents' Strategies for Managing School Budgets Through Back-To-School Programmes

As the new school year approaches, many families are beginning to compile lists of their children’s school needs. The holiday period is now being used by parents to plan purchases of various supplies, from exercise books, stationery, bags, and shoes to other supporting necessities, which generally represent one of the largest expenses at the start of the school season.

Amid fluctuating living costs, the public is becoming more selective in managing household budgets. A global KPMG survey indicates that many parents expect the funds required for school preparations this year to be greater than the previous year. Therefore, beyond seeking affordable prices, product availability and price certainty have become primary considerations to ensure spending remains aligned with the family’s financial plan.

In response to this need, household retail chain MR.D.I.Y. Indonesia has introduced a Back-To-School programme. Through this initiative, the company provides a range of school supplies at affordable prices to help families prepare their children’s needs without straining the household budget.

Dita Widya, a housewife from Bekasi, West Java, shared her experience managing the budget for her three children. According to her, a retailer’s commitment to maintaining prices greatly assists financial planning. ‘The price of the school supplies I bought for the older sibling last year is still the same as for the younger sibling this year. When you know the price is fixed and hasn’t gone up, it feels more reassuring when shopping,’ she said.

Based on parents’ experiences, there are five main groups of supplies that almost always appear on shopping lists ahead of the new school year. Suryani (29), a resident of Lampung, added that the availability of shoes and socks in one location makes school preparations more practical. Meanwhile, Siti Khadijah (45) from Medan appreciated the variety of attractive stationery designs at affordable prices, giving her flexibility when her children request additional items.

Entering the new academic year, school preparation is no longer just about fulfilling supply needs. Financial planner Aliyah Natasya recommends the sinking fund method to manage annual education costs so that family finances remain stable. She also highlighted three critical mistakes parents make ahead of the new school year, including misusing emergency funds and being driven by prestige.