School Time

Yesterday, I went to a bookstore to shop for my children’s school equipment. The new school year is approaching, and I wanted to make sure they have everything they need. It was a busy store with many parents doing the same. Besides books, the store also sold various school supplies, including bags, stationery, and even shoes. I managed to find a few useful items, though I noticed that prices have gone up significantly compared to last year.

One of the items I bought was a pack of books. Surprisingly, it cost me 52,000 IDR, which is around $3.25. While it’s not an enormous amount, I could clearly feel how school supplies have become more expensive. Even basic items like pens and notebooks seemed to be priced higher. I had to choose carefully to stick to my budget while still getting everything necessary.

Luckily, I found a local brand of school shoes for my daughter. It was much more affordable than the imported ones. The pair of shoes cost only 115,000 IDR, which is about $7.20. They looked good, felt light, and seemed strong enough to last the whole school year. I was relieved to find something with both quality and a reasonable price.

My eldest daughter also needed a USB flash drive for her schoolwork. I bought her a Chinese product that cost 65,000 IDR, or roughly $4.10. It looked modern and worked well. Overall, I was satisfied with my purchases, though I hope prices don’t continue to rise next year.