If your child going to college this year, now is the time to start stocking up on needed supplies. Here are 9 tips to save you some money because when it comes to college, every little bit helps! Please share any others you have, as well.
9 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Moving Into a Dorm Room
Do you have a son or daughter getting ready to head off to college in the fall? If you do, it is never too early to start preparing for that long list of dorm room needs, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. There are ways to save and cut corners and still create a comfortable home away from home for your college bound child. Here are nine tips:
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1. Stick to the college or university’s dorm room check-list to bring to campus. Make sure you heed the advice of what not to bring as well. Buy only UL-approved items, such as a surge protector/power strip. Also, only buy the approved wattage for a microwave. Besides the important safety reasons, you don’t want to spend money on an item that breaks any guidelines or is not useable.
2. Get to know the parents of your child’s dorm roommate and let your child acquaint him or herself with his or her dorm roommate. A simple phone call to introduce yourself will jumpstart a budding friendship. Also, a discussion about items that will be brought like a television, mini refrigerator, microwave, or printer is important, so there won’t be duplicate items. Maybe you can buy the mini refrigerator and the other parent can buy the microwave. Even with small items, you can discuss who will buy what beforehand.
3. Get precise measurements for your child’s dorm room before you go shopping. Dorm room beds usually require extra-long sheets. Therefore, a regular twin-sized sheet set wouldn’t fit. Find out the height for under-bed storage, which is a great way to store items out of sight and have extra space for storage.
4. Do an inventory of items you already have on hand at home that can be taken to the dorm. Your child’s desk lamp, alarm clock, favorite comforter, or your guest towels are perfect items to take to save money. Everything doesn’t have to be new as long as it is clean, comfortable, or working.
5. Shop sales. As your child’s move-in day gets closer, a lot of stores will advertise certain sales for college students. Do comparison shopping, cut out coupons, and sign up for a store’s email or rewards program to earn extra savings. Shop for electronics on eBay or Craigslist and look for military discounts if you are a veteran.
6. When it comes to buying dorm room furniture, although most dorms are already furnished with the basic bunk bed, desk, and chair, make sure it is durable if you have to buy a chair. You want the furniture to hold up under the rigors of campus life, so it won’t have to be replaced quickly. Also, buy multipurpose furniture. Pop up furniture is inexpensive and easily moved from place to place.
