During the summer, our social media feeds become full of vacation photos as families head out of town or out of the country for their summer getaways. But this is just a minority. Most Filipino families from single-income households or those with several children in school are scrambling because, while they do not have to spend on day-to-day school expenses, the summer season also signals the changing of the school year. It means enrollment and the purchase of new school requirements. Thankfully, we don’t have to worry anymore. Maya, the #1 Digital Bank has got our backs.

Read: Revisiting the Rights of a Filipino Child in the Digital Age

Worry-Free Back-to-School Tips by Using Maya

Here are some tips to consider if you have school-aged children at any level.

1. Buy gradually throughout the year. Buying school necessities is a whole-year affair.
   So as not to be overly burdened during the back-to-school season, you can do either of
   two things. You can set aside a small portion of your family budget every payday (i.e.,
   ₱200) and intentionally put it aside in your Maya Savings account to grow with up to 15% p.a. interest credited daily. There’s no maintaining balance required, so you can easily access your money when the time comes for you to use it. Please do not consider it an emergency fund because it is for school supplies. You may also check out sale events in bookstores throughout the year to get items on discount, such as ballpens, paper, etc. Thankfully, school supplies do not expire, so your kids can use them when classes start.
2. Re-use or Upcycle. Sometimes, kids do not need new stuff. Do an inventory of their things to check what should be discarded and replaced or if there is anything that can still be repaired and used. While the mantra “new year, new things” sounds very exciting, it’s not always very prudent. Plus, these things will end up as clutter in your home.
3. Install the Maya App. When things get tough and situations leave you in a bind, there’s the Maya app. Having the Maya app on your phone is like having a new best friend when you are in need. You can go cashless and contactless, too!

It’s so convenient to use. Here are ways on how to use your Maya app:

Pay with Maya.

Easily and conveniently pay for purchases at your favorite retail store or trusted online stores with Maya. You can use the Maya app to scan-to-pay with any QRPh-enabled merchants or pay with your Maya Card. If you have recurring payments online, you can link your Maya Wallet to your favorite apps and sites.

Score cash prizes and back-to-school gadgets every week!

Every ₱250 you spend using Maya earns you raffle entries for a chance to be one of the 20 weekly winners of ₱10,000 and Honor gadgets from July 1 to August 31, 2024. Pay for school supplies, shoes, backpacks, and more via QRPh at over 600,000 stores, check out online through Pay with Maya, or use the globally accepted Maya Card. Plus, stay connected with load and data from the app for all your homework and enrollment needs. Each transaction brings you closer to a win, making every purchase a step toward exciting rewards. The more you use Maya to spend, save, invest, and borrow, the higher your chances of winning!

Boost your Maya savings for every back-to-school spend!

With Maya Savings, you can grow your money while you spend it on your school expenses. Boost your savings with up to 15% p.a. interest, credited daily whenever you use Maya for your transactions. Your savings grow faster, helping you handle school expenses more smoothly.

Backup Funds via Easy Credit.

Did you know that you can get up to ₱30,000 in extra funds via Maya Easy Credit for your school needs? Need a budget for your school expenses? No paperwork needed. You can use it to pay for tuition fees via Bills Pay after transferring the funds to your wallet. You can even pay directly in-store or online when you shop for books and uniforms from SM, Robinsons, Shopee, or Lazada. Or, you can stock up on packed meals and snacks for school from the supermarket.

Meanwhile, do you need a phone or a new laptop for their studies? Use the Maya Easy Credit. It’s a quick and easy way to boost your finances and make back-to-school shopping a breeze!

The Maya app takes care of some of our financial concerns as the kids go back to school. Don’t worry, Mommy, this is just a temporary phase. We will all get past this, thanks to tools like the Maya app.