Before long many high school graduates will be heading off to college. With the trip to college you will need to plan accordingly. Especially if you are on a budget. Below you will find a list of tips that will help you when you are shopping for college.
Cheapest is not always cost effective
Just because an item is cheap and affordable this does not mean it is the best option. Some cheaper items will wear out really quickly, and you will be left with a bunch of thread bare items. This may mean you have to replace items several times a year, which can cost you a lot of money in the long run. Better to look for top quality items on sale so that they will last you longer. Possibly even the entire four years of college.
Avoid appliances
Some kids try to bring everything from home, including the kitchen sink. They want the microwave, the coffee, maker and much more. If they are staying on campus however some of these items may be provided. It makes sense for them to check and see if the dorm has a common area, which has these items they can use. They may also be able to get some deals at the local coffee shop. Or you can start eating healthier for breakfast, and focus on having fresh fruit, with tea for breakfast. Thinking of simple meals and looking for other options will save you lots of money in the long run.
Go basement shopping
Do you have family members, or friends, who have stored years of items in their basement. Some of the items you may need to decorate your dorm room, they may have in storage. For example curtains, and door mats may be something you can get slightly used from someone else. Grandparents are great for storing these items in the basement.
Head to the thrift store
Your local thrift store can be a college bound students best friend. The thrift store has some great slightly used items, like a small desk. You may need to visit a lot of different thrift stores in order to find the items that you need.
Dollar store decor
The dollar store is really a great place to get some budget friendly options for your college dorm. You may think that all of the items at the dollar store are cheap, but they do have quality items. You just really need to focus on the things you really need, and things that will hold up over time. For example the dollar store is perfect for cleaning products, like the toilet bowl scrubber, cleaning gloves, and a broom. This may not be on the top of a college bound students list, but they are very important items.
