College Crunch

I recently saw an interesting post on the Holyoke Enterprise website. It covers some tips on spending wisely when heading to college.

Charles Schmidt’s opinion can be viewed as quite simplistic in regards to college expenditure. He suggests that one need only a game plan to be able to successfully handle the budget requirements of first year as well as all the associated expenditures. The advice he gives is also sometimes a little off base; however, Schmidt does make some good suggestions and so he deserves some credit for his post.

One of his best suggestions was to remind students to be more aware of available discounts. College textbooks can weigh heavily on the pocketbook, and it can be a good idea to follow Schmidt’s suggestion to shop at college stores as “students are guaranteed the books are the correct version”. Having the correct version is important, but college bookstores aren’t the only places where one can purchase the correct books. In fact, just from a little research, one can find organizations that offer cheaper rates than those books held at college bookstores. It may be worth saving some cash in this regard with a little more preparation than Schmidt suggests.

Most textbook stores that offer cheaper prices are generally run by past students or non-profit organizations that aim to help college students save money. Asking lecturers directly (via email) a fortnight before college starts and requesting the required textbook details for that class provides an opportunity to get a head start on your fellow students so that you may seek out these discount saving opportunities.

For college students who must travel interstate, Schmidt’s suggestion to bring old or used furniture may not be a cost-effective plan. In fact, making a road-trip or traveling by plane with used furniture may cost more than sticking to the most basic essential items that can be bought cheaply at independent or local stores near the actual college.

It may be a good idea to buy software from college stores, but what Schmidt neglected to mention, which may mean you save more money, is that by comparing prices in different stores not associated with the college, one could surely save some cash. Microsoft and other software companies are known for their student discounts, and with some hard work and searching, you can usually find inexpensive, legal copies.

Overall, Schmidt does make some good suggestions and advice; however, sometimes he lacks a little bit of real insight. Schmidt misses key ideas such as the basics of shopping around to get the best deals. Students preparing for College should be encouraged to do this and will save money accordingly.

You can read the whole article at Holyoke Enterprise.