From the costs of sending in applications to the deposit fee for housing and orientation, college expenses add up. Quickly. And with the faint promise of graduation in the distance, more spending — supplies for class, textbooks (and anthologies? Companion books? Gibberish.), furniture to make your dorm room seem less like a prison cell and more like a livable space.
“Shop” Around Your House
Before you start scavenging through the sad, barren aisles of your local Target in August following the back-to-school free-for-all, check your closet for unused notebook spirals, pencils and pens, highlighters, loose-leaf paper and other supplies your professors might list in their course lists. Save your money and “shop” at home for small items you (or, more accurately, your parents) have undoubtedly stock-piled over your 12+ years in the American public education system.
Textbook Alternatives
The steep price of a single college textbook can seem daunting for a first-time student. On average, a student attending a public four year college may spend upwards of $1,200 on books, as publishing companies amend cosmetic imperfections in their text and slap a new edition on the cover. With each artificial spike in the price of required reading material, broke students have switched to cheaper alternative suppliers.
Of these, online super-retailer Amazon sells textbooks at up to 30% off new titles, and 90% off on used books. Chegg and Textbooks.com offer the choice to rent and sell used textbooks, with savings of up to 70% when compared to buying new.
Graduating students often sell back their used textbooks to the university bookstore, or list their books online for incoming students. Check local listings for your college town, and don’t be afraid to haggle and negotiate for a lower price. Not only will you snag a great bargain, but the bonus handwritten notes and highlighted segments might give you a leg up on the first day of class.
Discounts, Deals and Savings
Department stores and chain retailers like Walmart, Target and Staples often clutter social media feeds with special offers and advertisements for new merchandise. While these plugs assault us shamelessly, one after the other, as we scroll through our Twitter timelines, they provide us with only a small fraction of the deals and discounts available to college students.
In addition to the numerous vouchers posted onto official company social media accounts, coupon-sharing websites allow student shoppers to take advantage of in-store specials and get the best bang for their buck. At checkout, ask about a student discount, even if their policy isn’t listed –– just make sure to have your college student ID, email or accepted student letter on hand.
Avoid the Campus Bookstore
Like the plague. The campus bookstore, in all its glossy, beautifully displayed hardcover glory, sell their textbooks at a higher markup than you’ll find online. Unless you have more dollars than sense to throw away on books you might use once or twice a semester, leave the bookstore for buying souvenirs when your mom insists on visiting over the weekends.
Thrift Shopping and Secondhand Buying
Assuming your dorm room can fit more than two twin beds (yes, they’re that small), work desks and chests of drawers, search around on Craigslist or Freecycle for listings around your college town before committing to an overpriced futon from Bed Bath & Beyond. Graduating students might also try to sell their extraneous furniture to avoid the cost of renting a moving truck. Keep an eye out for flyers posted on your campus’ bulletin board, and bring a friend along with you if you choose to meet up with the seller for the exchange.
Other Tips and Tricks
Check the housing page on your college’s website for a list of items and appliances that aren’t allowed in your dorm. Microwaves, coffee makers, ironing boards and printers are available in common areas for student use, so don’t fret if the housing department categorizes them as not permitted.
Communicate with your roommate ahead of time as a means to sort out who brings the big ticket items –– there’s no point in having two televisions or multiple gaming systems in one room. Work out a system of organization and set of guidelines prior to move-in week, so both you and your roommate understand each other’s expectations.
Prime Student, an Amazon service available for students with a college email login, allows members a trial period of six months, including free two-day shipping, access to Amazon Prime discounts and unlimited movie and TV show streaming. Sign up for Prime Student so that your trial corresponds with the time you move into your dorm.
