| With the cost of tuition on the rise, college students are | | | | where winters are longer, then try to get a room on |
| seeking new ways to save a buck while going to | | | | the upper floor, otherwise live low. Also, try to find an |
| school. "Scholarships Around the US" has compiled a | | | | apartment where utilities run on natural gas (stove, hot |
| number of such ways - 118 to be precise - that can | | | | water heater); it's generally more cost-efficient. |
| help offset the cost of higher education. While the | | | | 8. Don't shop hungry. This goes for any kind of |
| entire list ought to be required reading for any co-ed, | | | | shopping. If you're in the grocery store, you'll grab more |
| I've excerpted the ten that I thought were most | | | | and spend more; if you're somewhere else you'll |
| effective and most striking, and then I added the one | | | | probably spend more than you planned getting |
| that they forgot: getting a Costco Membership. | | | | something to eat. Carry a snack in your purse or |
| 1. Borrow textbooks. If you can't borrow, buy used. If | | | | backpack. |
| you can't buy used and have to buy new, check for | | | | 9. Get your haircut at a cosmetology school. They |
| an "international" edition. International editions are nearly | | | | charge much less for cuts, highlights and color in |
| identical, except for maybe some Chinese characters | | | | exchange for the use of your head. |
| on the front, and it will be exponentially cheaper. | | | | 10. Two more words: donate plasma. |
| 2. Brew your own coffee. Your daily latte, cappuccino, | | | | Finally, there was one idea that didn't make the list but |
| or mocha from a coffee house will run you between | | | | which - I know from personal experience - is a gold |
| $2.50 and $3.50. Seven days of that routine costs you | | | | mine. Get a Costco membership. The reason for the |
| $17.50 per week, $70 per month, and around $280 per | | | | membership is not so you can buy in bulk, which, |
| semester. Making your own coffee or drinking less | | | | frankly, can mislead customers into thinking they are |
| could save you $500 over the course of a year. | | | | saving more than they really are. Rather, the real perk |
| 3. Kick the bottled water habit. Support your local tap | | | | of membership is access to the free samples. |
| water and drink for free. Get a filter if you want | | | | Let's be honest: a Saturday morning trip to Costco is a |
| better-tasting water. | | | | trip to an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord. You can taste |
| 4. Two words: Ramen Noodles. | | | | a variety of cuisines without ever having to commit |
| 5. Decline extended warranties on computers. Your | | | | (like you do at a restaurant). That's the beauty of |
| computer should be under manufacturer's warranty for | | | | samples - you never get bored. If you don't like |
| the first year anyway. Companies dupe you into | | | | something, toss it in the garbage. On the other hand, if |
| believing the plan is worthwhile and become rich off | | | | you really like something, take a lap around the aisle |
| your extra cash. | | | | and get back in line for seconds or even tenths |
| 6. Don't buy ink cartridges from the manufacturer. | | | | (believe me, it's possible). |
| Instead, purchase cartridges online where you can | | | | Truly, there's no better place to get full and explore the |
| compare prices and get free shipping. Better yet, refill | | | | subtle nuances of your palate than Costco. And the |
| your own cartridges (refills can cost as little as $5 per | | | | best part of it all is that you can go as often as you |
| cartridge). | | | | want - every Saturday or every day. Trust me, |
| 7. Save money on utilities. Living on an upper floor will | | | | whatever you invest in your annual membership will be |
| typically keep you warmer in the winter, but it'll get | | | | more than repaid, even if you have to earn it back by |
| hotter in the summer. So, if you go to school in a region | | | | the tablespoon. |