No Money, No Problem: Reducing College Costs
ELLEN LI
News Editor
$22,261. This number represents a record average sticker price to attend an in-state public college for the 2012-2013 academic year, a 3.8 percent increase from the previous year, according to a December 2012 College Board report. With tuition hikes, stagnant growth in federal aid and increases in other expenses, the cost of a college education at both public and private colleges has grown increasingly expensive. Here are some ways to cut back on costs while in college:
Textbooks
• Look around for used books. Most college campuses carry them in bookstores, and the books are usually heavily discounted and in good condition.
• Rent textbooks from sites such as eCampus, Chegg and CollegeBook Renter.
• Look online for books. Join Amazon Student for one year and get unlimited free two-day shipping on textbooks and other items. It is free to sign up for students.
• Borrow or buy books from people who have taken the courses.
Transportation
• Use public transportation. Taking the bus is cheaper than paying for car insurance and gas, and some colleges may subsidize part of your bus costs or even give out bus passes.
• Invest in a bike. Biking is good for both the environment and your health.
• If you drive to school, carpool whenever possible. You get to improve your social skills, as well as save money on gas.
Food and Drink
• Make the most of your meal plan or on-campus credit that goes towards food and beverages in the cafeteria and various stores and coffee bars. Use it all up before buying food elsewhere, especially if you can buy the same items there as anywhere else.
• Coupons, coupons, coupons.
• Go to school or community events whenever possible to meet new people and possibly receive free food.
• Kick the bottled water habit and buy a filter for the free local tap water.
• Make your own coffee. A four dollar Starbucks Frappuccino every day totals $120 in a month, or $1,460 a year. It all adds up.
Entertainment
• Participate in local festivals and school events. You can hang out with friends, meet new people, exercise by walking around and possibly score some free food.
• Look for free movies on campus; chances are, you will find classics, student films, independents, noir and experimental films.
• Volunteer in a soup kitchen. Community service is a meaningful activity that will leave you with a real appreciation for those who have no money.
• Pick up a local newspaper and check upcoming events (concerts, arts and crafts fairs, theater, festivals, art galleries and museums) for free goodies.
• Use CitySearch to look for cheap food and activities in your local area.
Other Basic Living Expenses
• Shop for items you really need during the tax-free week available in many regions of the country.
• Get a few friends together to pitch in for an annual membership at Costco or Sam’s Club. The money saved while buying in bulk will be worth the cost of membership.
• Shop at discount stores or yard sales when decorating your dorm room.
• Avoid shopping while hungry. You will spend more than you originally planned getting something to eat. Carry a snack around.
• Go thrifting. There are often great finds at thrift stores, including name brand, gently-used clothes and accessories.
• When buying clothing, check to make sure your garments are machine-washable versus dry clean only.
• Shop for personal items at a discount retailer. Buying the store brand is a cost-saving alternative as well.
• Share the cost for personal toiletries if you share a room, apartment or suite with others and can agree on products that everybody will use (soap, shampoo, blow dryer, curling iron, conditioner, lotions, toothpaste, etc.).
• Do not buy on impulse. Write down the items that you want to buy on a Post-It and stick it to the wall. Look at the Post-It every day for a week. If you still think you need the items at the end of the week, then consider buying them.
• Use your student ID to get discounts on items that can range from movie tickets to computers. Many local stores and businesses will give discounts to students with IDs. If you do not see a sign, just ask, since many college and student discounts are not posted.
• Remember the main reason you are in college — to get an education. Study groups help to keep you focused and involved, so you have less time to frivolously spend money on unnecessary activities.
Happy saving in college!