5 Things You Can Do Today for an Easy January 2026 During Back to School

The air in November and December always feels different—nyama choma plans, upcountry travel, and family reunions. It’s the one time Kenyans truly unwind after a long year. But behind the festivities, every parent feels the quiet shadow of January. 

After weeks of spending on gifts, food, and travel, schools reopen, and the bills hit hard: fees, uniforms, supplies, and surprise requirements. Budgets are already stretched, and the pressure can feel overwhelming.

The good news? You don’t have to enter January broke or stressed. With a few practical steps taken now, you can ease the back-to-school burden for January 2026.

Also read: How I Pay Ksh45K School Fees for My Kids Without Digging into My Pocket 

1. The School Fees

The biggest monster parents grapple with in January is always school fees. This is where strategic planning becomes your financial shield.

Actionable Strategy: Instead of relying on your January salary, which is often stretched thin by other bills, start creating a dedicated school fees fund today.

1. Automate your savings: Set up a standing order from your salary account to a dedicated interest vehicle, like a Money Market Fund (MMF) or a Sacco deposit account, immediately in November and again in December. The beauty of an MMF is liquidity and daily compounding interest, meaning your savings grow even over those two months.
2. Leverage your sacco strategically: For professionals with substantial Sacco deposits, consider the option of a short-term, low-interest school fees loan offered by your Sacco. Taking this loan in November allows you to secure the money before the holidays and pay it back over a manageable period, often at a rate far better than commercial bank loans.
3. For business owners whose income is based on variable cash flow, dedicate a specific percentage—say 10% or 15%—of every single transaction or deal you close in November and December. Immediately transfer this portion to your school fees savings account. This ensures you save consistently during high-activity months, preventing the money from being accidentally absorbed into business operations or holiday expenses.

Also read: Household Items You Can Buy Today for a Cheaper Christmas

2. School Supplies

The cost of new uniforms, shoes, stationery, textbooks, and school bags hitting your budget simultaneously can be overwhelming. Instead;

• Conduct a comprehensive inventory. Check your children's current uniforms for wear and tear and make a precise list of items that are truly necessary replacements.
• Shop in November/Early December: Uniform and bookshops are less crowded now, and prices haven't been subjected to the holiday inflation spike. Buy the big-ticket items—shoes, sweaters, school bags, and full uniform sets—and store them away. 
• New textbooks are expensive. If your child’s school curriculum requires new books, check online marketplaces, local community groups, or school alumni pages for gently used editions one academic term.

3. Budget for the ‘Unexpected Requirements’ 

Every parent dreads that last-minute text message or note from school requiring Ksh3,000 for a new science lab project, an immediate contribution for classroom repairs; these surprise costs stress already-stretched budgets.

Open a specific sub-account on your banking app, M-Pesa, or even an external MMF sub-account dedicated solely to cater to the surprises. Commit to stocking it with small, manageable amounts.

Also read: How to Financially Prepare for Your Children’s Long December Holiday

4. Meal Prep & Pocket Money

Bulk Buy Basics Before Hikes: Capitalise on pre-December pricing by bulk-buying non-perishable lunchbox staples: cooking oil, cooking fat, dry snacks, sugar, and maybe a 3-month supply of spreads and cereals. A little planning now saves you multiple expensive, last-minute trips to the local shops in January, when prices are typically higher.

Save for pocket money in advance to prevent a last-minute rush of borrowing for pocket money. You can save as little as Ksh200 per week, and by the end of December, you will have Ksh1,400.

5. The Emotional Stress

Back-to-school is more than just money; it's a huge adjustment after the long December break. The chaos of waking up early, managing homework, evening planning, and dealing with kids' anxieties (new classes, new teachers, performance pressure) increases parental stress.

In the last week of December, start enforcing school-term bedtimes and morning wake-up calls. Even if they don't go to school, having their internal clock reset makes the January transition smoother for everyone.

To avoid the stress of travelling, you can also book buses for your child in advance before the fares increase.

The pain of January is always rooted in the spending choices of December. Don’t wait until you’re broke and desperate to worry about school fees. Start setting aside, auditing supplies, and planning your logistics now. A stress-free January 2026 is entirely within your control.