<p>I will be attending Stanford this fall as a freshman, and I've started to save up money for things I will need to purchase when I get there or before then. So far on my list I have airfare, a laptop, textbooks and a bike. Is there any other things I should consider? Does anyone have any money saving tips for this whole process?</p>
<p>U lock.</p>
<p>If you are into watching sports (football, basketball), I am pretty sure you have to pay about $50 to get a pass.</p>
<p>It will be nice to have some spending money available for concerts/movies/etc.</p>
<p>You will need train money to get into the city plus $ for dinners and plays and concerts</p>
<p>D is just finishing her freshman year at Stanford. Get a cheap bike. Her bike was $84 at Walmart and she loves it. Be sure to lock the bike to a bike rack not to it’s self. I know this seems obvious but you will see lots of bikes locked to themselves all over campus. Those are the ones that disappear. D has spent about $1000 on books. Be sure to look for used books on line and from other students. She actually traded books with a dorm mate, which saved them both about $200. She spends about $100 a month on “stuff”. It’s money she earns so I don’t ask. Will you be paying for your own toiletries and laundry supplies etc? If so, you will need to budget that as well. She brought her existing laptop since she thinks it will do just fine for the first two years. Some sporting events charge and others, like football, are free to the first XXX students with your student ID. </p>
<p>Couple of ways to save money: don’t lose your student id. I think it’s $20 to replace. Don’t lose the key to your bike lock (or forget the combo) It costs $15 for the bike shop to cut off the lock and another $40 for a replacement lock. Can you tell these are things my D has learned the hard way? Be sure to get to know the campus bus routes. It goes pretty far off campus for free.</p>
<p>Have a great year!</p>
<p>Get there early to get a cheap bike! We waited until the day before freshman orientation and the cheap ones were sold out. Don’t forget you will need to budget for twin XL sheets, a study lamp, and a fan, and anything else you might want to decorate your room.</p>