Strategies for Managing School Holiday Budgets Amid Weakening Rupiah
The school holiday season for the 2025/2026 academic year is set to begin in late June. However, amidst the continuous weakening of the Rupiah against the US Dollar, parents are advised to be prudent in budgeting holiday costs to ensure family finances remain under control.
Financial planner and founder of Mitra Rencana Edukasi (MRE), Mike Rini Soetikno, stated that the end-of-year school holidays are a long-awaited moment for children after a year of academic activities. To enjoy holidays with children amidst unstable economic conditions, parents need to engage in thorough planning and budgeting.
“If you intend to go on holiday, it must be allocated and planned from the start. Do not let holiday budgets swell to the point that they affect the family’s financial condition. Adjust your holiday budget and do not overextend yourself. There are currently many affordable holiday options available,” Mike said when contacted by Republika on Monday (8/6/2026).
He explained that families who have already prepared holiday funds still need to re-evaluate whether the available funds are sufficient to meet their planned travel needs. For those who have not yet prepared funds, there is still time to arrange a budget according to their means.
Mike emphasised that before determining the budget size, parents need to detail several factors, including the travel destination, duration of the trip, the number of family members participating, and the activities to be undertaken during the holiday. “The total cost will be influenced by the destination, whether it is near or far, the length of the stay, and the number of tourist attractions or activities to be visited. The more activities planned, the larger the cost that must be prepared,” said Mike.
He noted that family holidays can also serve as a medium for financial education for children. Parents can involve children in the process of budget preparation and decision-making regarding holiday plans.
According to him, children can be invited to discuss destination choices, estimated costs, and the alignment between desires and the family’s financial capabilities. For example, if a child desires a specific destination that is too expensive, parents can explain the budget situation and work together to find a more suitable alternative.
“Through this, children will learn, ‘Oh, so this is how you manage money.’ Although younger children may not fully understand, they will gradually grasp the concept. However, for secondary school students, they may understand why money management is important when the Rupiah is weakening as it is now,” concluded Mike.