This year, we’re sending our oldest off to college. We’ve been saving and preparing (and she’s been doing the same) for years. As the rubber begins to meet the road and we ready to move her into the dorm, I’m doing my best to stay cognizant of every penny we spend. Luckily, we have a daughter who is doing the very same thing. As a team, we want to make sure we buy only what’s necessary. Here are a few of the principles we’re abiding by as we pack her up and begin a new journey.
Share the Load
Most college students receive their roommate assignments a month or so before moving to campus. Early clear communication with roommates or suitemates is key. Not only can you avoid duplicate purchases, you can also complement what each brings. Both space and dollars are at a premium in a dorm room, so be sure you split up the cost of individual items. It’s not wise to pitch in to make a major purchase, though. So instead divvy up larger ticket buys to share the burden.
As a side note, I’ve loved hearing my daughter and her roommate chat about everything from their feelings about the pandemic to what annoys or offends them. Conversations like these can help make the road ahead a little less rocky when it comes to living with someone you may not have met before.
Scour the College’s Website
Most colleges and universities have stellar online presences. That means you can know most of the ins and outs of your dorm room before you arrive. From dimensions to suggested packing lists, there are tons of helpful tools at your disposal. Make use of them. Look for parent groups to join on Facebook so you can ask questions, too.
Skip the Big Book Fees
Textbook fees pack a punch at the beginning of a semester. However, there are a few ways to keep the total tab a bit lower. Buy used as often as you can, whether you shop online or in a college bookstore. Avoid miscellaneous purchases in the bookstore. T-shirts, notebooks, highlighters, and pens can all be found more affordable at big box retailers. You can also rent some books online from sites like Amazon, Chegg.com, or BigWords.com. Don’t forget to go through an online cashback site like Ebates to increase your savings, too. You may even be able to check out a text or two from your campus library, too. Or if you knew someone who had the class the year before, you might be able to buy or borrow a copy from them.
Maximize Discounts
Your college ID helps you score significant discounts on everything from museum admission to laptops and even food. Most of these discounts require a current college ID and/or a .edu email address. Do a quick internet search on “College Student Discounts” and your search will easily yield over 100 retailers willing to give students a price break on their products. In all of your shopping, kindly ask (or search the website) if a college discount is available. However, be careful not to make extra purchases just because you score a discount. It’s not a good deal if you don’t need the stuff.
Don’t Rely On Your College Experience
Each time I start packing for my daughter, I remember what was useful to me as a college freshman. But then I have to pause and recall that Amazon and online shopping didn’t exist when I was in college. It’s so easy to overbuy. However, if you are on the fence about buying a particular item, put it in an online cart and wait. If after a week or so of being on campus, your student can’t live without an item, you can always ship it to them. Especially this year, it’s smart to pack light in case students need to leave campus quickly.
Allow Them to Fly
I have to say, I’m really grateful that my daughter has done most of the heavy lifting when it comes to list making and purchasing for her college experience. It’s an excellent time to allow students to budget on their own and begin buying everything from their own shampoo to clothes and essentials. Set guidelines and communicate clearly about which expenses you will and won’t cover and then allow your student to make choices.
Pack a Quarantine Bag
I saw a quick final tip on Facebook this week. You may want to consider packing a quarantine bag for your student when they head to campus this fall. Place some essential items like toiletries, an extra phone charger, a couple changes of clothes, basic meds like acetaminophen, some extra masks, non-perishable snacks, and any other items that might be needed in case of a quarantine in separate quarters. Stash it in the closet and try not to take anything out of this bag. If for some unfortunate reason a student needs to isolate and can’t be at home, their roommate could bring a bag to the proper authorities without needing to gather individual items.
I’m no experienced pro when it comes to heading off to college. This is literally my first rodeo. However, I can promise that I’m right there in the trenches with you during this very unusual season. And I’ll always be on the prowl to save a buck or even a penny right now, too.
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