Byline: Fernando Alfonso III Staff writer
Going to college is not cheap.
Students and families spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars every year in preparation for the first day of classes. And that's not covering tuition, room and meals.
The average college student spent more than $4,000 on books, supplies, cell phone bills and travel in the 2010-2011, according to collegeboard.com.
Here are some ways to lower those costs:
Save now:Get started early setting aside the money it will cost to make those late-night pizza runs, trips to the movie theater and sporting events, and late-night espresso splurges. Experts suggest starting to save your spending money at least two summers before your first college semester. Stash away a fraction of any paycheck. It will add up and pay off.
Phone plans: Save on cell phone bills by taking advantage of family plans, business discounts and college deals. Wireless providers have special plans, such as AT&T's University Advantage program that can save students 15 percent or more on their bills.
Free campus Wi-Fi makes it easier for students to use Skype and mobile applications like Textfree. Skype is a computer program that makes phone calls over the Internet. Get your family or friends back home connected because it is free to communicate. Google offers a similar free video chat program. Visit wireless.att.com, skype.com and google.com/talk for more information.
Bank offers: Millions of students attend college each year, and banking institutions attempt to tap into that market by offering the special perks. Many, such as Chase Bank, offer free college checking accounts for at least five years. Check to see if your bank makes such offers, or shop around.
Take a look at a campus map to see what ATM options are available. Most large banks will have ATMs and branches near your school.
If not, you may want to consider opening an account with one of the banks near campus to avoid those out-of-system ATM charges.
Deck the dorms: Retailers like Ikea, Target, Marshalls and Wal-Mart trumpet dorm essentials weeks before the semester begins. Compare notes with your roommate to determine who's bringing what for the room to avoid decor duplication. It is a great way to save money and break the ice, too.
Warehouses like Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club are places to find deals on a mini-refrigerator or microwave.
Web sites like craigslist.org and oodle.com can be a good place to find second-hand bargains.
Hunt for housing: Since most colleges require new students to live on campus for at least a year, cost-saving options are hard to find. Contact the residence life office to ask whether it offers multiple person suites or apartments, which can be more affordable than single rooms.
Crack the books: Buy your textbooks before classes start. You'll pay top dollar for new books at the school bookstores.
Find discount prices for new and used textbooks on Web sites such as Half.com and Amazon.com. Another site, Chegg.com, allows you to rent your textbooks for the semester.
Some professors don't announce their textbook selections until the first day of class. Don't panic. Readings usually don't start for another week. In the meantime, buy
online, share with a classmate or check out the campus library.
If you own an eBook reader like the Apple iPad or Amazon Kindle, check to see if any of your textbooks are offered. The book you need may be in the stacks there.
Eating -- cheaply: Eating out regularly can empty your pockets pretty quickly. A coffee here, a burger there -- it all adds up. Take advantage of your student meal plan. Eating breakfast and light dorm snacks can help satisfy mid-afternoon cravings.
Conversely, some colleges require freshman to buy the most expensive meal plan, with full breakfasts, lunches and dinners every day.
After a semester or two, you'll know if you're actually eating that frequently. If not, opt for a slimmed-down plan.
Stay well: Health care costs can put a strain on student finances. So, just don't get sick. Well, at least do your best to stay healthy.
Focus on eating healthy, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and managing your time wisely.
Managing stress is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy college lifestyle. Visit collegetips.com/college-health for more information and tips.
Consider transportation: Car pools, trains and buses are some of the more affordable ways to travel. Most colleges have bulletin boards or Facebook groups where students can exchange rides.
Megabus and Boltbus are known for their affordable tickets. If you're lucky, you can catch one of Megabus' $1 ticket specials.
And Amtrak offers a Student Advantage discount card that saves students 15 percent off every train trip. Visit us.megabus.com and amtrak.com for more information.
Fernando Alfonso III can be reached at falfonso@syracuse.com or 470- 3039
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