The cost of “back-to-school”
keeps increasing. A typical Filipino would probably spend roughly 5,000-15,000
alone on back to school supplies. That’s only for an average students; college-age
students, who often require many more supplies, especially if they’re moving
into a dorm, may spend even more. Does
this sound like you? Many parents begin eyeing the back to school fliers and
ads the earliest possible. Whether your kids start kindergarten or head off to the
university this year, you can buy them everything they need without breaking
your bank account.
Have you ever wondered, in this day and age, how far can you stretch your P1,000 peso cash? Purple Plum Fairy along with other bloggers recently had an opportunity to join our back-to-school shopping challenge at the ultimate shopping destination, Tutuban Center Mall in Manila. Yes, it's only in Tutuban where you can find lots of items which are definitely at steal prices. The best part? It all depends on how good you do your haggling. You won't also had to go through the sun's debilitating heat because Tutuban Prime Block is all air-conditioned, so you can spend your all-day shopping sans the heat.
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| Image from Inquirer.net |
Here are several tips to help you become a savvy back to school shopper this year.
When I was informed that I’d be joining the back-to-school shopping challenge at Tutuban, I started rounding up all of the office and school supplies we already own. I placed them in a central location, like a plastic bin or on the dining room table, so you can make a list of what you have. Keep this list in your purse, or in the car, so you don’t forget it when you shop for school supplies.
What do your children need for the school year?
· Pens, pencils, markers, and highlighting pens
· Erasers
· Rulers
· Notebooks and loose-leaf paper
· Scratch paper
· Binders
· Calculators
· Crayons
· Art supplies
· Post-it notes
In
addition, go through your kids’ closets and start sorting. Clothing that the
kids have outgrown, and worn clothing, should be donated or tossed. Once
you complete this “supply sweep,” you’ll have a clearer picture of what you actually need to buy. Ideally,
the sweep will prevent you from buying something you already have on-hand.
Anyway, I suggest if you happen to go to Tutuban Center mall to do your shopping, make sure you wear really comfortable clothes and shoes because you will do a lot of walking. And be prepared to haggle. You may get lost because the Tutuban Prime Block is really huge. But then again, that's all part of the fun.
Here's a little tip: Scout around first before buying anything that caught your fancy, keep walking and ask for each price, do your own canvass. If you're lucky, you'll be in for a really discounted price! Talk about buena mano or maybe you just need to have some good luck charm.
For anything and everything that regards to home, there's Orig Na Mura store. You can find here a lot of good things for your household needs. Name it, they probably have it! I purchased one of the best buys here, a 750ml insecticide which we really need at home. For Php110, this Insecticide is such a sulit buy! It will probably last us two to three months.
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| Purple Plum Fairy shows the huge insecticide she has purchased at Orig Na Mura Dito store |
A lot of selected bargains are on buy one get one basis, 50% -70% off or slash from its original price. From shoes, sneakers to fashionable clothes and accessories, there will always be something for you. Since we were asked to look for a Rany Day Essentials, I chose to buy this pair of Jelly Shoes. This jelly shoes used to be priced at Php390. But I was able to haggle them, thanks to fellow blogger Jing Javier's charm for Php350. That saves me Php40.00 right? Not bad!
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| Purple Plum Fairy fitting her pair of jelly shoes. |
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| Rainy Day essentials: A pair of Jelly Shoes! |
Many people don’t want to think about back to school, especially in the midst of high summer. However, back to school shopping can creep up on you and your family quickly, so it pays to be prepared. The best way to save money is to start planning ahead of time, so you can take advantage of every deal and coupon that comes your way.
Here's my back-to-school haul: I was able to purchase one black slacks Php280, one polo uniform for P175, a sando for P75 and a Kate Spade Class A purple sling bag for P350. Well, okay I know I went overboard. But I really wanted to buy the bag, so I decided to add some more money from my pocket just so I would be able to purchase it. The bag is originally priced at P380. So that means, I was able to save P30 out of my purchase too! Over all, I did a pretty good job at spending and stretching the given P1,000 peso budget.
On my way back to Tutuban's office to meet with other bloggers, I decided to buy a pasalubong for my family at King's Bakery. While you're at it, do not forget to buy their Ube Cheese Bread. They're absolutely delicious! And not to mention, super affordable too. They're priced at Php58 each pack but hwen you purchase two packs, you can get them for Php50 per pack! So you pay only P99! Again, they're so sulit, so value for your money.
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| Awesome pasalubong finds at King's Bakery |
Thank you Tutuban Center!
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| Bloggers on the roll for the Tutuban Back to school shopping challenge. |
So where exactly do you go in Tutuban? Here's how to lose yourself in this shopping destination:
CENTERMALL
Tutuban Centermall serves as the flagship of Tutuban Center. It is a two-storey shopping mall which is considered the center of activity of the entire Tutuban Center.
Centermall houses specialty shops and branded boutiques, restaurants and fast food chains.
PRIME BLOCK
From the latest trends in fashion, accessories, textiles, home furnishings and other goods, Prime Block is definitely where shoppers can find all the “in” items that they are looking for.
CLUSTER BUILDING
Designed for the wholesale/retail-oriented Divisoria businessmen, it houses groups or “clusters” of small 8-12 square meter stalls- another first in Divisoria.
NIGHT MARKET
Tutuban Center continues to indulge its shoppers with novelty items and merchandise up to 12 midnight 365 days a year. It is a one-of-a-kind night market only Tutuban Center can offer.
FOODSTREET
After shopping at the night market, Food Street is the next stop. It offers refreshments and a variety of menu that will surely satiate the shoppers’ palate cravings.
TC SHOPPING PLAZA
TC Shopping Plaza serves as an exciting daytime complement to Tutuban Center's thriving Night Market scene.
TUTUBAN MALL EXHIBIT (TMX)
Tutuban Mall Exhibit offers unique sales and marketing opportunities by providing vendors with venues to come face-to-face with the highest caliber of qualified visitors with buying influence.
Tutuban Center
Claro M. Recto Avenue corner Dagupan St.
Manila, Philippines
2511661
Open from 9:00 a.m. - 12 midnight
For more details:
Twitter: @TutubanCenter
Instagram: @tutubancenter
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