<p>and I'm trying to find as many ways to save money as possible. Do the little things like living at home, being thrifty with books (buying online or half-priced bookstores rather than through the school), biking instead of driving, etc, make a big difference in the overall cost?</p>
<p>What kind of things have you done to try to save money?</p>
<p>I have to say that we spent a whole lot more than what we expected to out of pocket. It kind of depends on your living standards, I think. But then again there’s all kinds of stuff - -at MICA it was mattress pad, sheets (extra long twin), a desk, a chair, a lamp, a printer (not necessary except for the ADHD girl who is prone to procrastinating WAY too long), a freezer (well she has celiac disease so she did need that), a microwave and toaster (same as previous reason), various kitchen utensils, cleaning items (broom, dust pan etc), flashlight, first aid kit, extension cord, bed risers, various organizer type things for her art supplies and for her closet… and the one ‘luxury’ thing we got her which was an umbrella stand. I think the additional ‘stuff’ cost us easily another $1000. But she has these things now and can use them in the future, so it was kind of a one time expenditure.</p>
<p>Try looking around for things on <a href=“http://www.freecycle.org%5B/url%5D”>www.freecycle.org</a></p>
<p>It is community based, and you can post that you are offering something or that you are looking for something. You can look at garage sales and thrift stores too, but you may have some luck on freecycle typing something in like - “wanted - old easel, any condition”, or anything else. </p>
<p>Many college students don’t use some of the things they absolutely needed freshman year and will be looking to unload them pretty soon.</p>
<p>Thanks Glutenmom and greenwitch for the input/insight.
I’m definitely going to have to put on my frugality hat for the next thee years (maybe even longer after I graduate).</p>
<p>I have some friends who are doing that and it sounds like a pretty good opportunity to save money. Unfortunately I’m not going to be living in the dorms. I’m most likely going to be rooming with a few friends in an apartment in a nearby city and take public transportation to school.</p>
<p>The thing that amazed me was the cost of art supplies. It seems like there’s an endless list to the art store every month on the charge card bill. I know D is frugal, tho and have no doubt that what she bought she needed, plus I know the on-site store is cheaper than say, Michaels, etc. At her school they have a “freeshelf” where she has found clothing, textbooks, as well as odds and ends that she used for a project, thus saving money that way too.</p>