There are some things in America that are really a rip off. They become popular and then the prices absolutely skyrocket. But in this tough economy knowing where companies gouge you can help you save money.

Text Messaging
The biggest rip-off in America right now is text messaging. It only costs about a third of a cent to send one but if you don't have a plan then you typically pay 20 cents for an outgoing text and 10 cents for an incoming one. FYI that's a markup of 6500 percent. But if you have the unlimited texting plan then you're paying ten dollars but it's still a rip in the shorts.

Movie Theater Treats
For some reason treats at the movie theatre are ridiculous. It costs only about 60 cents to make popcorn  but at the theatre it’s $6, which is a markup of 900% and the drinks are also terribly overpriced. So what was going to be an entertaining escape turns into an entertaining escape where you get ripped off. Even though it may sound ghetto, bringing your own treats can save you a lot of money in the end.

Free Credit Reports
Even though the company has catchy jingles that can remain in your head for days it's not all it's cracked up to be. Freecreditreport.com says that it's free but when you sign up it asks for your credit card and automatically enrolls you in the "Triple Advantage Credit Monitoring" which ends up costing $14.99 per month and $179 per year. If you want a free annual credit report go to AnnualCreditReport.com.

Painkillers
Even though the brand name may be more comforting the fact is that generic medicine is exactly the same. So a bottle of Advil at one particular store costs $8.49 and the generic ibuprofen with the same number of pills is only $5.29. The fact is that the law requires these pills to be the same so you're paying an extra $3.20 for the Advil name printed on the bottle.

CollegeTextbooks
Every semester college students spend a small fortune on textbooks that they use for a couple months and only get a miniscule amount of the value back. What’s really great is when you have to buy a book and when you try to resell it they offer a quarter for it. Are you freaking kidding? You might as well donate it, or use it to start a fire while camping. And to top it off the Government Accountability Office found that from 1986 to 2004 the cost of college textbooks tripled.

Gasoline
Filling an empty tank is not a fun experience especially if you have to fill your luxury car with premium. Regular gasoline is usually 20 to 40 cents cheaper than the other kinds. Right now gas averages about $2.72 per gallon which is a 15% premium. Gas is not cheap but it’s a lot better than the prices during the summer of 2008.

Hotel Mini-Bars
You may be in your hotel needing a snack but the hotel minibar is likely going to charge you 1300% more than it is actually worth. Are those nuts, soda, chocolate, and candy really worth that much? Blunt answer: no. So make sure that you have a treat in your hotel in case you get a bit snacky because it will save you some money.

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.