College is expensive; there’s tuition, books, rent, food, beer, etc. Being short on cash can add to your stress level and make for a miserable existence. Here is one piece of advice I have to help you save some money: Never, never, never buy your text books. You may think I’m crazy but hear me out. In most colleges, professors are required to have their textbooks on reserve at the library. You won’t be able to check the textbook out of the library but it is available to you. You can do all of your reading and studying in the library without buying the book. Also, find out if any of the local public libraries have the textbook you’re looking for. This has saved me hundreds of dollars every semester.

My next piece of advice has to do with food. Don’t buy your food on campus. It may seem like it’s cheap but trust me, you can make and pack a more cash-friendly lunch at home. When I spend the entire day on campus, I pack a lunch and various snacks. Stop going to Starbucks in the morning as well. Why haven’t you invested in a coffee maker? Four dollars every morning for an entire semester adds up to $300! Make your coffee and home and take it with you. If you need a pick-me-up during the day you already have your to-go mug, refills are always cheaper than a new cup.

Finally, get involved. There are so many different clubs and organizations on campus. Some of them are very important to your career path after graduation, others help you build a nice resume buy offering service projects. If you’re new on campus, clubs are a great way to meet new people. Pick a group that participates in things you are interested in. Trust me, if you like it there is an organization out there for you.

In closing, enjoy your time in college. Study hard, laugh a lot and don’t be afraid to try new things!

Are you concerned about the environment? How about your wallet? Taking classes online may be just the solution.

With the cost of tuition on the rise, college students are seeking new ways to save a buck while going to school. "Scholarships Around the US" has compiled a number of such ways — 118 to be precise — that can help offset the cost of higher education. While the entire list ought to be required reading for any co-ed, I’ve excerpted the ten that I thought were most effective and most striking, and then I added the one that they forgot: getting a Costco Membership.

1. Borrow Textbooks. If you can’t borrow, buy used. If you can’t buy used and have to buy new textbooks, check for an “international” edition. International editions are nearly identical, except for maybe some Chinese characters on the front, and it will be exponentially cheaper.

2. Brew your own coffee. Your daily latte, cappuccino, or mocha from a coffee house will run you between $2.50 and $3.50. Seven days of that routine costs you $17.50 per week, $70 per month, and around $280 per semester. Making your own coffee or drinking less could save you $500 over the course of a year.

3. Kick the bottled water habit. Support your local tap water and drink for free. Get a filter if you want better-tasting water.

4. Two words: Ramen Noodles.

5. Decline extended warranties on computers. Your computer should be under manufacturer’s warranty for the first year anyway. Companies dupe you into believing the plan is worthwhile and become rich off your extra cash.

6. Don’t buy ink cartridges from the manufacturer. Instead, purchase cartridges online where you can compare prices and get free shipping. Better yet, refill your own cartridges (refills can cost as little as $5 per cartridge).

7. Save money on utilities. Living on an upper floor will typically keep you warmer in the winter, but it’ll get hotter in the summer. So, if you go to school in a region where winters are longer, then try to get a room on the upper floor, otherwise live low. Also, try to find an apartment where utilities run on natural gas (stove, hot water heater); it’s generally more cost-efficient.

8. Don’t shop hungry. This goes for any kind of shopping. If you’re in the grocery store, you’ll grab more and spend more; if you’re somewhere else you’ll probably spend more than you planned getting something to eat. Carry a snack in your purse or backpack.

9. Get your haircut at a cosmetology school. They charge much less for cuts, highlights and color in exchange for the use of your head.

10. Two more words: donate plasma.

Finally, there was one idea that didn’t make the list but which — I know from personal experience — is a gold mine. Get a Costco membership. The reason for the membership is not so you can buy in bulk, which, frankly, can mislead customers into thinking they are saving more than they really are. Rather, the real perk of membership is access to the free samples.

Let’s be honest: a Saturday morning trip to Costco is a trip to an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord. You can taste a variety of cuisines without ever having to commit (like you do at a restaurant). That’s the beauty of samples — you never get bored. If you don’t like something, toss it in the garbage. On the other hand, if you really like something, take a lap around the aisle and get back in line for seconds or even tenths (believe me, it’s possible).

Truly, there’s no better place to get full and explore the subtle nuances of your palate than Costco. And the best part of it all is that you can go as often as you want — every Saturday or every day. Trust me, whatever you invest in your annual membership will be more than repaid, even if you have to earn it back by the tablespoon.

What is your best money-saving tip?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Benjamin Welch has been a college instructor in writing and composition for nearly six years. When he’s not teaching or playing golf, he offers advice for students seeking information about online education and online degrees.