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