|
How To Save With College Costs On The Rise
With the cost of food, fashion and living steeply on the rise in the U.S., it is no surprise that college tuition costs are also greatly increasing from year to year.
Students and their families paid on average from $108 to $1,398 more in the 2008-09 school year than the previous year for tuition and fees, a trend that is likely to continue well past 2009, according to the College Board. Despite financial aid, many students and their families are cutting back on spending wherever possible, saving money to buy textbooks and other necessities rather than expensive back-to-school clothes.
Here are some simple ways your family can save money while still getting everything you need for going back to college:
* Don’t double up: Call your roommate(s) and coordinate who is bringing what. No sense splurging on a microwave if your roommate is already planning to bring one.
* Smaller is better: Buying in bulk may seem like a good idea, but food can go bad, storage is limited, and it’s easy for bulk items to go to waste. Buy only what you need when you need it, and if you want more, go back.
* ‘Tis the season: When packing for college, buy only the clothing that you will need for fall; like sweaters, jeans and a light jacket. Unless you live in a place where winters are especially chilly, don’t purchase a heavy coat until the next season to save money and save closet space.
* From trash to treasure: For furniture and items like lamps, desks and bedside tables, shop at garage sales. Prices are cheaper to begin with since the items are used, and you can negotiate.
For one-stop shopping for everything else on a budget, most college campuses feature at least one mass retailer within a 10-mile radius: from Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart to Bed Bath and Beyond. Now when students and their families stock up on everything from school supplies to toiletries, they can also re-stock their wardrobes.
“Many people don’t think of Target as denim destination,” says Jenifer DeSofi, senior merchant for Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Men’s Department. “We created a line of stylish, high-quality jeans for men in a variety of popular fits like the Slim Straight, Loose and Bootcut. All our jeans are available for under $30 to answer the needs of the value-minded consumer."
Authentics Signature by Levi Strauss & Co jeans are available at Target stores and for men and kids. All styles retail for under $30. Visit www.signaturebylevistrauss.com/us for more information.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Other Articles That May Interest You
Dreaming of a Career in Education? Federal Grants May Help
Do you picture yourself one day standing in front of 26 or more pairs of eyes, filling the brains of students of various ages with the information they will need to graduate from high school and go on to a fulfilling life? If molding young minds is your dream, you may be able to get federal help in fulfilling it.
Back To School On A Budget
Back-to-school shopping can be an exhausting and expensive experience and many parents start off on the wrong foot before they even get to the store. But there are simple ways to make this annual shopping trip efficient and affordable.
School Buses Proven Safe For Students, Environment
Parents are tasked with making many decisions that affect the quality of education their children receive. One of those choices, transportation to and from school, plays a more important role than moms and dads may realize.
 A 'New' New Year’s Resolution: Help Your Child Learn to Read
On Jan. 1, thousands of people will challenge themselves to quit smoking, exercise more, eat better or take more pictures. All worthy goals. But there are other worthy goals that get left off the New Year's resolution list. Children who grow up reading with their parents attend school more regularly and are more likely to complete their educations. Why not add “helping your child to read” to your list of resolutions for 2009?
|
