Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Chevrolet via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Chevrolet. #TraverseTested
College can be an exciting, yet expensive time of life. However, there are some creative ways to help students save money on supplies. Shop around and shop smart…and you’ll end up saving money that can go towards your college tuition!
Let’s start with one of the biggest expenses of every college student’s semester: Textbooks. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars just buying books. Would you like to know a couple of the best tips to save on college textbooks?
NEVER buy new books. ALWAYS avoid the campus bookstore.
Campus bookstores are THE WORST places to buy textbooks. They often charge the most and give students the least money on buy backs. Good thing there are so many used book resources out there! Shop around online at a price comparison website like AffordaBook.com. Simply search for the textbook you need. AffordaBook compares prices at 20 different online stores to find the lowest prices for you.
Another place to shop for cheap new and used textbooks is the Amazon Textbook Store
Did you know? College students get FREE 2-Day Shipping when they join Amazon Student (it’s FREE to join Amazon Student, so take advantage of Amazon’s special deals plus shipping perks).
Know when it’s okay to splurge.
Students will be in college for at least four years, so they should know when it’s okay to splurge on school supplies. Invest on the items that will get a lot of use, like a backpack and three-ring binders. Even though they cost more, higher quality ones should last longer. Even better, buy a brand that offers a lifetime warranty (like Jansport).
Save on electronics.
College students have free access to computer labs on campus. But if students need to buy electronics (a laptop, e-reader, smartphone), they can save money by purchasing a factory-refurbished model from the manufacturer. Each device comes with a warranty, so it’s almost like getting something brand new for a lot less than buying a new or used one anywhere else.
July, August and September are the best months to purchase new computers. Stores are making way for the newer models, plus Back To School sales mean lower prices.
Stock up for the year and save!
Office and school supplies are at the lowest prices of the year during the Back To School season. College kids can stock up on basics like pens, pencils, lined paper and folders. Buy enough to last the entire school year. Check in store ads for sales and watch for coupons.
Shop the Dollar Store.
The Dollar Store is a great place to find all sorts of supplies on the cheap. School supplies are a dollar year-round. Students can outfit their dorm rooms with kitchen utensils, storage and organizing bins, waste baskets and cleaners for just $1 each.
How do you save money on school supplies for college kids? Please share your tips with us in the comments below.
Nimco says
School is important so its good to invest in good supplies to help you out.
Marcia Lee says
These are great tips. Too bad we can’t pass a law that states a college professor can’t teach from his own book. Then maybe the college wouldn’t keep changing books so often for their courses.
Robin O says
For purchasing electronics, I know that the Apple store offers a discount to students and educators. Some campus bookstores also offer the discount if you order through their website.
md kennedy says
One strategy I used when I was in college and grad school was to take advantage of the library – most of the textbooks were usually on hold (you couldn’t check them out), but I could borrow them in the library to read what I needed. NO cost!
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy says
Great tips. I never bought textbooks in the store if I didn’t have to.
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
I never bought new books. Such a waste of money.
Lois Alter Mark says
Such great tips, especially about not buying new textbooks or buying in the college bookstore. So true!