Tips for economizing at the start of a new school year

With the coming of another school year, parents search for ways to make ends meet while still giving their kids what they need to face another year of studies. A TV report by Rida Reyes of GMA-7’s 24 Oras advises parents about back-to-school economizing. One good point of advice is to buy secondhand clothes and school supplies. Secondhand shops sell used pairs of shoes for P150 – P400. Slightly-used 24-piece sets of crayons are sold for P20. Bought brand-new, these would likely cost P50. Pencils with erasers can be go for P2, while brand new, these items would likely be P20. Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Education Rizalino Jose Rosales, meanwhile, cautions the public to exercise judgment in purchasing items from such stores. “Ang paramount consideration pa rin diyan ay ‘yung safety nung mga mag-aaral. Kung maga-guarantee naman nila ang safety ng mga ‘yon kahit binili sa mga (surplus shops), nasa sa kanila na ang desisyon," he said. (The paramount consideration is the safety of the students. As long as the safety of products bought at secondhand stores is guaranteed, it’s really up to them.) Many parents also opt to send their kids to school via public transportation rather than the pricier option of using school buses. Some families have even transferred their kids from private schools to public schools. — TJD, GMA News