College is an expensive proposition, but a degree helps in getting a good career and comfortable life. Here are a few tips on reducing your expenses. Most of the suggestions are aimed at college students. A few are general enough that anyone can use them.

These are your highest priority — and sometimes costliest.

   1. Used books. Pretty simple, right, but some people feel they need shiny new plastic-wrapped books.
   2. Library. Professors sometimes reserve a few copies of their course's book, which you may be able to sign out short-term (a few hours to a few days).
   3. Other libraries. If there are other universities or colleges nearby, they may have a book you need, which you may be able to sign out for a few weeks.
   4. Save lab fees. Science lab courses incur fees for a book and beakers. Surplus stores might save you, and the book might be online at the course's website.
   5. Borrow. Know a professor or student with a copy? Ask nicely and you might receive.
   6. Sell them. Sell books from previous semesters to pay for current course books.
   7. Check online. There may be older editions of a book at the publisher's site.
   8. Don't buy a term paper. Online term papers from websites are a waste of money, and the content is like the town whore: it gets around.
   9. Use 529/ESA plans. Educational Savings Plan offers tax savings on future tuition.
  10. Scholarships. Scholarships can come before you enter, or during college, as the result of good grades or for doing specific volunteer work.

Clothing, Accessories, Furniture, and General Purchases

Unlike high school, most people don't care what you wear or sit on in college.

  11. Don't chase trends. Just because everyone else is wearing it doesn't mean you should.
  12. Custom style. Maybe your college has budding fashion designers who can make fashionable clothing on the cheap for you.
  13. Make it yourself. Handy with a sewing machine? Make your own fashion statement.
  14. Go vintage. Vintage clothing boutiques are all over the place.
  15. Army surplus. Surplus stores sell discounted clothing, outerwear, boots and bags.
  16. Book bags. Canvas bags can and do last longer than leather cases, and cost less.
  17. Scout for bargains and sales.
  18. Avoid impulse buys. Even if it's on sale, do you really need it?
  19. Avoid endcaps. Checkout aisle items are priced to entice, but the cost adds up.
  20. Defer gratification. Credit card debt is rampant in the United States. Why not wait and buy with cash savings?
  21. Flea markets. Make vintage furnishings part of your style.
  22. Garage/yard sales. These offer a different breed of bargain than flea markets.
  23. Buy on sale. Obvious, right? Seasonal gifts cost less off-season.
  24. Stock up. A 12-pack of toilet paper costs less than six 2-packs.
  25. Ditch the catalogs. Especially if there's stuff in them that you want but don't need.
  26. Ask for a discount. Places like Office Depot will sometimes give you a discount just for asking.
  27. Check for in-store discounts.
  28. Check your receipt. Totals always seem high, but maybe you were overcharged.
  29. Stay away from layaway. On the other hand, try this layaway technique to save.
  30. Ask for a cash discount. Some places such as electronics stores will give you a cash discount if you ask nicely.
  31. Tax-free shopping days. Yes, Virginia, they do exist.

Credit Cards, Finances, and Investing

Students with credit cards have become commonplace. So has debt.

  32. Avoid plastic. Use cards for emergencies, or pay off purchases before they accrue interest. If you need one, here's how to get a secured card.
  33. Pay on time. Seriously, so easy, but often ignored. Think of how much interest you save. Being late on a single payment increases your interest rate.
  34. Avoid 0% APR cards. Unless you're very disciplined and the normal rate is less than your current rate.
  35. Ask for a better rate. Have good credit history? Ask for a better credit card rate.
  36. Get an online savings account. They beat the interest rate on a regular bank account, and keep you from spending (or incur fees). Use the money you save to pay down student loans after graduation.
  37. Find the optimum savings account. The best rate for your online savings account isn't necessarily the optimum one, depending on minimum balance requirements.
  38. Open several accounts. If you can meet the minimum balance, a lot of online savings accounts offer a bonus at signup.
  39. Have an emergency fund.
  40. Try sub-accounts. They allow you to partition your money for different purposes and maximize interest earned.
  41. Buy a few shares. Studying economics, etc.? Do some research and invest a little from your savings into the stock market.
  42. Avoid the ATM. Fees will eat your savings. Withdraw a lump sum once, for the week, based on a budget.
  43. Avoid cash advances. Unlike purchases, credit card cash advances accrue interest immediately.
  44. Don't bounce checks. Doing so is costly (bank + store fees) and damages your credit rating.

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