<p>My daughter is now a sophomore at Princeton and I've learned a few things that I think those of us making less than 100K should know. I think it would be great to start a thread on how to save some money both for our kids, and for parents who want them to experience Princeton to the fullest. </p>
<p>1) Travel - New Jersey Transit can get them to NYC and back for around $20. The first time my daughter called me from Central Park one week after classes started I nearly died. Couldn't believe she just hopped on a train and went and also thought it would cost an arm and a leg, but they can actually travel quite cheaply on New Jersey Transit. Amtrak is a great deal if you live west (but not too far west) of New Jersey. My daughter can catch the dinkey on campus to Princeton Junction, New Jersey Transit to Trenton, and then Amtrak to 20 miles from home for less than the cost of a tank of gas (which is what it would cost me to drive round trip). Up and down the eastern seaboard is a bit more pricey. </p>
<p>2) Visiting Princeton - use Hotwire and Priceline. The Staybridge Suites can be had for around $60 per night if you bid far enough in advance. Look for a 3.5 star on hotwire with the suite and breakfast indicator. You may end up at the AmeriSuites or something similar (you don't know what you get until after you pay for the room), but they are usually nice places to stay as well. I once got a room at the Hyatt in Princeton for $50 using Priceline. Neither of these will work if it is a busy weekend for NYC. Another parent introduced me to Priceline</a> and Hotwire Forum to figure out how to get the best deal in and around Princeton. </p>
<p>3) Summer earnings - One of the great things about Princeton is the wonderful opportunities your child will have over their summer. I was very concerned when my daughter was offered an internship overseas - not just for her going so far away, but also how we were going to make up her summer earnings. She went to financial aid to talk with them about it. No problem, they said. If they agree that the internship is acceptable, they will match 1/2 the summer earnings and the other half as a loan. Which brings me to the next point.</p>
<p>4) Stafford loans - When Princeton says they do not include loans in their financial aid package, it does NOT mean you can't take one out anyway. The best deal for us was the subsidized Stafford if you qualify, unsubsidized Stafford after that.</p>
<p>5) Books - my daugher buys most of hers on line rather than the local bookstore. Tell them to ask an upperclassman which sites are the most reliable ones to use as they can get burned if they deal with the wrong site.</p>
<p>6) Tigertrade - looking for used books, furniture for common rooms, dorm frig, etc. Try this website = [url=<a href="http://point.princeton.edu/tigertrade/public/%5DTigerTrade%5B/url">http://point.princeton.edu/tigertrade/public/]TigerTrade[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Also, we went to the Trenton Mission (where my daughter worked with her community action group) and got a decent used sofa there.</p>
<p>7) Formals - there are several second hand shops in Princeton with some beautiful things. Sales at the Quaker Bridge Mall can be quite good after Christmas. </p>
<p>OK, that's a start. Hope others can add to it. Princeton has been the most wonderful place my daughter has ever known (excluding our kitchen). I'm hoping it will be the same for your kids as well.</p>