Expert Tips to Manage Back-To-School Spending

Back-to-school season comes with lots of expensive to-dos. From shopping for new school supplies, to buying groceries for lunches, to setting up your teenager’s very first phone, the expenses can pile up. Financial educator Eduek Brooks, who coaches women to help them manage their spending, pay off debt and build investments, is here to help make this time of year feel less financially overwhelming. Read on as she breaks down how PC Financial and Services helps families with teens aged 16 and up get back-to-school ready while stretching their dollars further.

Manage your essentials, while maximizing rewards

Whether you’re setting up your teen’s first bank account or prepping them to move away for university, the back-to-school season is busy. Simplify your essential services with PC Financial, PC Insurance and the Mobile Shop, where PC Optimum points can be earned across these services, turning everyday essentials into valuable benefits.

Brooks emphasizes how this approach maximizes your rewards and savings: “With a PC Money Account, your teen can manage their finances without a monthly fee while earning rewards on everyday spending. Pair this with a phone plan from the Mobile Shop to keep them connected, plus add PC Insurance for protection if they’re moving into a dorm or shared space.”

Start good money management habits with your kids

Back-to-school is already a time of transition and growth, so the stage is set for older kids to sign up for their very own bank account. Brooks says that with a PC Money Account and the PC Financial app, teens aged 16 and up can track their spending in real time and get free unlimited everyday transactions, perfect for groceries, toiletries and school supplies. “It’s a great way to help them build confidence in managing their money without the stress of surprise fees or maintaining a minimum balance,” she says.

Plus, PC Money Account also comes with an optional Savings feature, which helps them learn how to save for bigger purchases while earning interest with a competitive everyday interest rate. Your teen will understand the value of a growth-focused saving strategy when they can finally buy that new laptop or other big purchase they’ve been wanting.

Find the best value on must-have tech

Whether it’s a new phone or the latest accessories, tech is one of the biggest back-to-school expenses for older kids. No matter what you’re looking for, the Mobile Shop locations are there to help families get great value.

For example, if it’s time to buy your child their very first phone, the Mobile Shop offers a wide selection of devices and plans from Canada’s top carriers, all in one convenient place. Brooks says families can look out for PC Optimum points bonus offers on new phones, plans, internet and accessories to help them stack rewards.

“You can compare options side by side, find the best fit for your teen’s needs and your budget, and you can often access exclusive in-store deals that you won’t find anywhere else, especially during the back-to-school season,” says Brooks. Families also have the flexibility to redeem their earned points on anything from groceries to back-to-school supplies or even toward lowering the monthly cost of their new device.

Ensure your teen is insured

Your new driver taking the keys is stressful enough, so help take worries about insurance out of the equation. “PC Auto Insurance* provides coverage for them behind the wheel, with flexible options and competitive rates,” says Brooks.

She adds that parents can feel more prepared when their child is living away from home for college or university, as PC Home Insurance policies include up to $10,000 in out-of-town student coverage. “This valuable coverage protects belongings like electronics, textbooks and more, whether their child is in a dorm or off-campus,” Brooks says.

Turn your spending into rewards

The PC Mastercard lets families earn PC Optimum points on everyday spending, on bill payments and by adding up to four authorized users. Brooks says that benefits like these can help make it easier for families to manage expenses during back-to-school season and year-round. All these different ways to earn points add up, maximizing earning potential.

And points never expire, so use them toward your weekly grocery run or for a saved-for purchase down the road.

Conditions apply to all benefits and offers. To learn more about how you can make PC Financial and Services your one-stop shop this back-to-school season, visit https://www.pcfinancial.ca/en/.