5 Back-to-School Shopping Tricks That Can Save Parents Money

Preparing for a new school term in Nigeria right now requires serious financial gymnastics. Between the new school fees, uniforms, textbooks, and all the little things that somehow add up, it's very tempting to buy the cheapest option just to bring the total down. But as many parents eventually learn, buying the cheapest option often means spending more a few weeks later when things inevitably need replacing.

If you are trying to get your child ready for the new school term without putting your wallet through unnecessary stress, here are five things worth keeping in mind.

1. Don't try to buy the entire school list in one weekend

Every parent knows the feeling of opening a school list and wondering if you are preparing your child for school or setting up a mini-bookshop.

Instead of trying to buy everything at once, go through the list and separate the essentials your child will need from day one from items that can be purchased later. You can also check with other parents or your child’s teacher if you are unsure about what will be needed immediately. It might not make the list look less intimidating, but it can take the pressure off your finances and helps you budget more comfortably.

2. Buy for the child you have, not what is trending

Yes, the cartoon-themed notebooks are cute. Yes, your child will probably make a very convincing case for that water bottle with their favorite character they absolutely need.

But you know your child. If they already have a perfectly good water bottle and lunchbox, do they really need new ones simply because they feature the latest character or design? Before adding something to the basket, ask whether it is replacing something they genuinely need or simply adding to what they already have.

3. Pay attention to what disappears first

Some school supplies seem to have legs. One week, you bought a full pack of pencils. The next week, your child is asking for another one. Pens mysteriously disappear, erasers vanish and somehow, rulers never make it back home.

Instead of constantly making emergency trips or giving your children money to buy replacements at the school gate almost every morning, keep a small supply of everyday essentials at home. A little stash of reliable stationery, including BIC Cristal pens, can save you from the famous “Mummy, somebody took my pen." and "Daddy, I lost my pencil" excuses.

4. Sometimes, paying a little more means buying it only once

The cheapest item on the shelf isn't always the cheapest in the long run. Think about a pen that stops writing after a few days, a pencil that keeps breaking or a stationery item that needs replacing halfway through the term. The small savings you made initially can quickly disappear when you have to replace them halfway through the term.

When comparing school supplies, look beyond the price tag and think about durability. This is exactly where dependable brands like BIC make a difference. Products like the BIC Cristal pen are designed for everyday writing, giving children a reliable tool so parents don't have to constantly buy replacements. The BIC Kids coloring pencils are equally durable, which is why generations of Nigerian parents continue to trust BIC.

5. Give your child a little say in the shopping

Back-to-School shopping doesn't have to be entirely about what makes sense to Mum and Dad. Let your child choose something they are genuinely excited about, whether it’s a fun book, a puzzle or a simple art or craft kit. 

The key is to set the boundaries before you start shopping. Give them a small budget for the extras or let them choose one or two things within an agreed limit. That way, they get a little say in the process without every colorful thing on the shelf finding its way into your basket.

Back-to-School shopping will probably never be completely stress-free. There will always be something forgotten and, somehow, one more item the school needs.

But with a little planning, a focus on what your child actually needs and uses, and smart choices that offer lasting value, you can make the process easier on both your child and your budget.

And this season, BIC is making Back-to-School shopping a little more exciting. Every Thursday through Sunday until September 30, BIC will be bringing its Back-to-School activation to selected stores across Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

As you shop for the school supplies your child needs for the new term, visit a participating store to purchase BIC essentials, take part in the activation and stand a chance to win exciting prizes.

For more updates, follow @bic.nigeria on Instagram and TikTok.