Top 'tipid' tips for mommies

MANILA, Philippines - A new school year has begun. And mothers, who take care of the family budget, now have to make room for more expenses such as school supplies, new uniforms, textbooks and, of course, baon. To make the most out of the household funds, moms can still give their children the best care by following these tips:

• Go to wholesale retailers. Many wholesale retailers are making way to accommodate shoppers’ back-to-school demands. A smart move for mommies is to buy in bulk, which can sometimes save families as much as a few hundred pesos. Instead of buying notebooks individually, take advantage of retailers’ 12-piece sets to enjoy a discounted price.

• Reuse. The excess notebooks can always be kept for the next school year, or distributed among the brothers and sisters who also go to school. Also, the unused pages of last school year’s notebook can be pulled out and bound together with the help of some yarn and a big needle.

• Invest in long-lasting shoes. Active and playful kids can easily wear down their school shoes. Be sure to have a reliable brand of glue or rugby to repair loosened soles, as well as shoe polish to keep the shoes looking new. If the child needs a new pair, buy a size bigger so that it can still be used next school year. Just get him or her extra thick socks for now so the shoes will still feel comfortable.

• Be part of the planning. Worried about the costs of upcoming educational trips? Try joining the school’s parent-teacher association to have a hand at planning such activities and to make sure that the trips will not be too heavy on every other parent’s pockets.

• Prepare nutritious baon. With their busy days at school, children need to have food that will give them the energy they need. So when it comes to baon, it’s best for moms to prepare the food themselves. Because while it’s okay to give children a few pesos so they can buy snacks, a baon prepared with Mom’s love makes for a healthier and less costly menu for the kids.

• Let your kids drink plenty of milk. When it comes to milk — another important source of energy for kids — mothers can rely on the affordable Vitalac powdered filled milk with Nutri-Sarap and assure themselves that their kids are getting uncompromised nutrition. From the country’s leading food manufacturer Universal Robina Corporation (URC), Vitalac is a complete powdered filled milk ideal for school-age kids. It can fortify their growing minds and bodies with nutrients such as calcium and protein at a practical price. Loving moms who wish to stay matipid put Vitalac on top of their grocery list. Available in sachets, pouches, and boxes at leading supermarkets, sari-sari stores, and market stalls nationwide.