Kiplinger.com: 10 Things to Avoid Buying for College Students

When I was a college freshmen, I wanted to buy every item listed on the school shopping list. But there is no need for parents or students to snap up every item on the shopping list, according to Kiplinger.com’s list of "10 Things College Students Don’t Need." Here's a sample from that list:

"1. New Textbooks. To avoid paying unfathomable new-book prices, see whether your university offers a rental program — or rent from a Web site such as Chegg.com, where you can save up to 85%. Order the book for a one-time fee—for example, about $60 plus shipping for a $180 calculus book—keep it for a semester, then return it with free shipping, or you could buy it. Or, head to the used-book lot. For example, BigWords.com searches the Web for the best prices on used textbooks.


2. Big Meal Plan. Brain food is important, but avoid loading up your child's meal account with enough money to feed the football team. It’s best to start with a low number of meals and see how much your student uses. Many colleges will give you the opportunity to replenish the meal plan midyear. You could also supplement your kid's meal plan with gift cards to the local grocery (or the local pizza joint). Or you can buy gift cards at GiftCertificates.com.


3. A High-End Laptop or Desktop Computer. An inexpensive laptop should meet your student's computer needs. For example, you can buy an Acer Aspire One, which has a 10.1-inch screen and weighs just 2.4 pounds, for less than $300 at Best Buy, WalMart or Target. Be aware, though, that netbooks don't have DVD drives or huge amounts of storage space, so it'll cost extra to get plug-in external drives or memory cards.


4. Printer. Here's what you can save by skipping this unnecessary item: about $50 for a printer, $30 for replacement ink and $9 for a pack of paper. For about $10, your child could buy a flash drive instead, save his 20-page term paper on it and print the paper in the campus computer lab, which you may already be paying for. Some schools include a technology fee in room and board costs—$100 per semester in some cases.


5. Cable TV. These days, you don't have to foot a hefty cable bill when your child can catch the latest movies and TV shows online. http://www.hulu.com/, http://www.veoh.com/ and http://www.fancast.com/ let you download current TV shows for free. The movies offered on these sites are slightly old, but you can get a Netflix DVD-rental subscription for as little as $5 a month. "

The full list of 10 Things College Students Don’t Need.

Kiplinger.com’s Back to School 2009 package

State-by-State Guide to Tax Holidays - A Guest Post From Kiplinger's

"Sixteen states and the District of Columbia will let you skip sales taxes on school supplies, computers, clothes and other merchandise on specific dates in August. Perhaps you’ll have to cross state lines to save an extra 5% to 10% -- but the journey is worth it.

Kiplinger.com and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine have put together a list of sales tax holidays, which begin in August. Here is the state-by-state guide, which includes tax holidays during other parts of the year.

Alabama
* When: August 7-9
* How much: 4%
* On what: Clothing less than $100, computers less than $750, school supplies less than $50 and books less than $30

Connecticut
* When: August 16-22
* How much: 6%
* On what: Clothing and footwear less than $300

District of Columbia
* When: August 1-9 and November 27 through December 6
* How much: 5.75%
* On what: Clothing, footwear and accessories less than $100

Georgia
* When: July 30 through August 2
* How much: 4%
* On what: Clothing and footwear less than $100, personal computers and accessories less than $1,500 and school supplies $20 or less

* Georgia shoppers also will save October 1-4 on energy- and water-efficient products.

Iowa
* When: August 7-8
* How much: 6%
* On what: Clothing less than $100.

Louisiana
* When: August 8-9
* How much: 4%
* On what: The first $2,500 of any purchase

Mississippi
* When: July 31 through August 1
* How much: 7%
* On what: Clothing and footwear less than $100

Missouri
* When: August 7-9
* How much: 4.225%
* On what: Clothing $100 or less, school supplies less than $50, computers less than $3,500 and software less than $350

New Mexico
* When: August 7-9
* How much: 5% to 8.5625%
* On what: Clothing less than $100, computers less than $1,000, other computer equipment less than $500 and school supplies under $15

North Carolina
* When: August 7-9
* How much: 7%
* On what: Clothing less than $100, school supplies less than $100, instructional materials less than $300, computers less than $3,500, computer supplies less than $250 and sports equipment less than $50

North Carolina shoppers also will save November 6-8 on Energy Star products.

Oklahoma
* When: August 7-9
* How much: 4.5%
* On what: Clothing and shoes less than $100

South Carolina
* When: August 7-9
* How much: 6%
* On what: All linens, school supplies and clothing, accessories and footwear

Tennessee
* When: August 7-9
* How much: 8.5% to 9.75%
* On what: Clothing less than $100, school supplies less than $100 and computers less than $1,500

Texas
* When: August 21-23
* How much: 6.25% to 8.25%
* On what: School supplies and clothing and footwear less than $100

Vermont
* When: August 22
* How much: 6%
* On what: All purchases less than $2,000

Virginia
* When: August 7-9
* How much: 5%
* On what: School supplies less than $20 and clothing and footwear less than $100

And October 9-12, Virginia shoppers will save the state sales tax on Energy Star and WaterSense products less than $2,500.

West Virginia
* When: September 1 through November 30
* How much: 6%
* On what: Energy Star products less than $5,000 "

--Source: Kiplinger.com

Spend Less for School Supplies: Price-Matching Tips & Other Strategies

Back- to-school budgets are taking a hit this year. The average family will spend $548.72 for school supplies, down 8 percent from last year's average tab of $597.74, according to the National Retail Federation. We can cut costs even more with a few strategies.

"Advanced planning, careful shopping and a little research can go a long way in helping you stay within your budget," said Jessica Cecere, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. Here are a few tips:

Shop at home. Before going to the mall or shopping online, take stock of the supplies in your home. There may be usable supplies from past school years. My home stash includes binders, almost-new spiral notebooks and pencils.

Use your ZIP code. Visit a store's Web site and type in your zip code to find deals in your neighborhood. In my neighborhood, back-to-school specials include a set of four glue sticks for 20 cents, compasses for a nickel each and packages of ruled index cards for a quarter each. Web sites also offer coupons that can be printed and used in local stores.

Create a clothing exchange. Have a back-to-school party. Party favors include bags of outgrown school uniforms and fall clothing, which can circulate during the party or within a circle of friends. Your cast-off clothing could fill a gap in another family's school wardrobe. It's an easy way to save money and to recycle.

Check out the dollar store. Some "dolar"r stores sell school uniform pants for $5 a pair. Other dollar stores sell pencils, notebooks and crayons. Local consignment shops and thrift stores may also have back-to-school sections with bargain prices, according to Consumer Credit Counseling Service.

Go to school. As a fundraiser, our local PTA sells school supplies at competitive prices. These sales can save time, money and gas. Some PTAs, for example, will bundle and package a complete set of supplies based on a class list or let you browse through their supplies.

Study price-match policies. Office Depot, OfficeMax and Staples have price-matching policies, and if you bring in a flyer with a lower price from a competitor, those stores will match other advertised prices.


related articles:

Spring Cleaning Uncovers Fall School Supplies

Last-Minute Back-to-School Shopping Tips: FamilyCorner.com

Back to School with 'Zero-Waste Lunches'

_____________________________________

Sharon is the author of the Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money -- a coming of age memoir about money -- and a contributing writer in Wise Bread's 10,0001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget.

Spring Cleaning Uncovers Fall School Supplies

The annual ritual of spring cleaning has paid an unexpected bonus. I now have a money-saving head start on another annual ritual: back-to-school shopping. My closets, drawers and filing cabinets have yielded enough writing and craft supplies to stock a small stationery store. As a result, I will spend far less on binders, pens, markers, notebooks and poster boards in the fall.

Here's how I plan to save time and money with this surprise stash of materials:

• Create a master list: Every year, I ''find'' new or barely used school supplies around the home. But in a rush to get the kids ready for the fall, I sometimes earn poor grades for recycling. This year, I plan to get the most out of my home store by maintaining an inventory list. On a yellow pad of ruled paper, I've started tracking our school and office supplies. Next fall, I plan to compare the home inventory list with the supply lists provided by my children's teachers. This comparison should reduce the time and money consumed by back-to-school shopping.

• Enlist the kids: I found spiral and composition notebooks that range from new-but-dusty to barely touched. To encourage my children to use existing supplies, I will give the kids a percentage of what we save by not buying new supplies.

• Repackage: Our crayon stash looks rather colorless in a plastic bag that has become clouded with age. It's a faded turnoff. My daughter prefers crayons tucked into a neat box. I plan, however, to repackage the older crayons in an attractive, but reusable container. Additionally, other supplies can benefit from quick upgrades, including the vinyl covers of notebook binders. A quick wipe or a few stickers offer easy makeovers for older supplies.

To be honest, I tackled spring cleaning with more passion this year. I looked into bins and corners that have been untouched for years. As result, I cleared out more clutter and found more treasure, including a stash of poster boards that were tucked behind a bedroom dresser. We now have a two-year supply of poster boards for science fair projects.

Last-Minute Back-to-School Shopping Tips: FamilyCorner.com

Use upcoming clearance sales to get a headstart on the 2009-2010 school year! That's one of the frugal, back-to-school shopping ideas from the editors of FamilyCorner.com.

Here's the list:

"Think ahead…
Your child doesn’t go back to school for another month. When is the best time to start shopping?

“To be honest, the best time to start shopping was last year’s back-to school clearance,” says Amanda Formaro of FamilyCorner.com. “This year’s back-to-school clearance is a great place to stock up for next year.”

Most stores hold their annual school supply clearances in late September, and generally offer discounts of 50% to 90% on essential supplies such as notebooks and pencils. Going back to the store a second time for crayons and college rule paper might not sound like fun, but you’ll thank yourself next year.


…But don’t jump the gun.
It’s only natural to want to get your family’s school shopping behind you as quickly as possible, especially when money is tight. But keep in mind that you won’t know exactly what your children will need until they get supply lists from their teachers.

“It’s a good idea to wait and see which supplies your kids will really need,” says Formaro. “Oftentimes, parents buy their kids brand-new markers, scissors, and glue sticks only to find out that those items are provided by the school – and that they should have bought rulers, calculators, and storage boxes instead.”

So unless you find bargains too incredible to pass up, save yourself some frustration by waiting to do most of your shopping until after the first day of school.


Don’t cheap out where it matters…
Sometimes it pays to not go for the cheapest option on school supplies. Case in point: Backpacks.

“Backpacks tend to be among the more expensive back-to-school items, but it’s important to look at a backpack as an investment,” says Formaro. “A durable, quality backpack will cost more up-front, but will save you money in the long run by lasting through several school years.”

If you opt for this strategy, try to avoid backpacks with trendy cartoon or movie characters emblazoned on them. Instead, go for more traditional solid colors or plaids. After all, this year’s hot Dark Knight Batman backpack won’t be quite as cool in a few years.


…But do cheap out if it makes sense.
“Some kids just seem to have a knack for losing things – even big, bulky things like entire backpacks filled with books,” says Formaro. “And they often repeat this process more than once a school year.”

If this sounds familiar, investing in an expensive backpack or lunchbox doesn’t make much sense if it will disappear in less than a month. Instead, a great source for free supplies is special events and giveaways. Baseball game family nights, county fairs, health seminars, and street fairs often feature vendors giving away free backpacks, totes, and even clothing. The quality might not be the best, but there will be no pain when the items go missing or forgotten. Many restaurants and toy companies also have special offers – just keep your eye out for them.


Give older kids a taste of the “real world.”
If you have teenagers, consider giving them a budget – especially for clothes. They can choose all the items they buy, as long as they stay within their given limit.

“It’s amazing how kids get creative when they’re put in charge of their clothing budget,” says Formaro. “Suddenly, they understand what the word ‘designer’ entails and become more open to less expensive versions of the same look.”

This technique allows kids to have a sense of freedom (choosing their own wardrobes) while learning real-world budgeting skills. Just remember to gently remind them that what they’re buying needs to last the entire school year – and stand firm on rejecting all last-minute requests for more money.


Make the Internet your first stop.
Whether you’re looking to buy a cheap calculator or a laptop computer, checking online coupon and special deal sites is a must before you leave the house. These sites feature little-known special discounts, rebates, and other special promotions on a huge variety of products that you’d otherwise never hear of. Searching for items is simple and takes just a few minutes – and you could be rewarded with significant savings. Just keep in mind that you may have to buy some items online to take advantage of some promotions.

Some of our favorite coupon sites include UltimateCoupons.com, DealLocker.com, Bargainist.com, and Boddit.com, which is a search engine that aggregates special offers and deals from a variety of sites______________

Here's how to buy my new book:

@ Amazon.com
@ Barnes & Noble
@ Borders
@ Target.com

Back to School with 'Zero-Waste Lunches'

With "zero-waste lunches" you could save lots of money and avoid dumping 67 pounds of waste into landfills this year. That frugal tip comes from the Center for a New American Dream. The money-saving and green-living tips from this organization include helpful links:

Budget-Saving & Eco-Friendly Lunch Ideas

• "Check out WasteFreeLunches.org for more facts and tips on greener lunches.
• No matter what’s on the menu, a zero-waste lunch starts with two ingredients: a reusable lunch container and a refillable water bottle.
• Instead of plastic wrap or aluminum foil, switch to a washable sandwich wrapper—either buy one or make your own.
• Try buying in bulk to stock a lunchbox with healthy alternatives to commercialized single-serving foods. Find a food co-op selling bulk foods near you.
• Learn more about smarter lunches for you, your family, and your school on this Back to School Lunch page."

Source: Center for a New American Dream
______________

Here's how to buy my new book:

@ Amazon.com
@ Barnes & Noble
@ Borders
@ Target.com

Beat the $600 Average for School Shopping: CCCS Tips

These are helpful school supply shopping tips from CCCS:

'According to the National Retail Federation, families will spend $594.24 on back to school purchases, compared to $563.49 last year.

"Families can expect to see rising costs on everything from uniforms and school clothes to supplies for their child and the classroom," said Jessica Cecere, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. "Advanced planning, careful shopping and a little research can go a long way in helping you stay within your budget."

• Make a budget and stick to it: Decide how much you will spend on school supplies ahead of time and, if possible, set aside the cash to avoid overspending. Use school shopping as an opportunity to teach your child about making choices by giving them a set spending amount to purchase some of the items they will need. They will learn that if they want the special folders, they may need to forego the fancy markers.
• Take inventory: Begin with a list of all back-to-school needs and expenses including supplies, equipment, clothing, and fees for sports, music and science labs. Next, check around the house for what your family already owns. Look for and reuse calculators, rulers, pencil sharpeners and anything else that is still in working condition. Last year's backpack may be just what is needed to start the new school year. In fact, wait just a few weeks after school starts and many backpacks and other accessories will be on sale for a fraction of the original price. Most students will not need entirely new wardrobes-just fill in the gaps with a few new outfits or uniform pieces. Well-maintained musical instruments and sports equipment are considerably less expensive than new ones.
• Plan your shopping: With gas prices at record levels, it may not pay to go to several stores to save a few cents on school supplies. Check the newspaper and online ads and map out your shopping plan to maximize you savings and stay within your budget.
• Shop at school: Many schools offer pre-packaged school supplies for students. Often coordinated by the PTA as a fundraiser, families can purchase supply packs from the school at costs comparable to what you would pay at a retailer. You will save time and gas by not having to shop, and your child's supplies will be waiting for them on the first day of school.
• Shop online and at discount retailers: Several national office supply stores are offering good online prices for school supplies. Look for free or inexpensive delivery. Outlet stores, big box stores and discount chains can save you money on uniforms and other school supplies. Check out your neighborhood consignment shops and thrift stores too. Some have designated space for school uniforms and you may get some great bargains."

Source: Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS)

Can We Skip Back-to-School Shopping? 3 Reasons to Cut Spending

It's a ritual. Back-to-school shopping is an annual event that costs us millions of dollars each year. But is it really necessary? Do we really need to buy so much stuff? Here are three reasons to cut or delay back-to-school spending:

1) Overstuffed backpacks. Over the years, I have purchased rulers, glue sticks, scientific calculators, compasses, notebooks and markers that my kids have barely used. In some cases, the items are not touched during the school year. That's because not every item on the back-to-school shopping list is really used or needed. My new strategy: Wait until the item is really needed for classroom assignments. Talk to other parents and teachers about what supplies are essential. I've actually had some parents warn me that one or another teacher will ask for supplies that are never really used. Or we've purchased items that kids could have easily shared across the aisles.

2) Shop at home. In May or June, kids come home with school supplies that may still be in good shape. Take inventory before you go out and buy a new box of markers, crayons or notebooks. You may have ample supplies in your own cupboard.

3) Wait for the fall clearance sales. Why buy a full wardrobe of fall clothing in August or September? Wait until the shopping rush is over and purchase fall clothing at a discount. Send the kids back to school in light-weight (summer) clothing that is super cheap now. If your kids wear uniforms, look for used or hand-me down uniforms. Some schools have a stock of gently used uniforms that are free or super cheap.