A+ Shopping Smarts for College Students | Money

 

Prepping for college isn’t easy especially with limited funds and a never ending shopping list filled with dorm room essentials, office supplies and class materials. Although financial stress can quickly bring you down, there are several smart shopping strategies that can save your wallet and your money worries.

 

Follow these savvy spending tips to help you stash away extra cash for school:

 

Jot down a list of all the items you need to buy, like ink cartridges and printer paper, and stick to it when out shopping. Countless studies show that people who shop with a list are less likely to spend unnecessary money on impulse purchases, so write it down. 

 

Before heading to the store, take a look around your house for things that may come in handy for school. You may find enough pens and paper to last you through two semesters, or perhaps an extra alarm clock in the spare bedroom. The items you come across could end up saving you a bundle. 

 

Whether sharing a room in the dorm or an apartment off-campus, contact your roommate(s) to find out who has what. You don’t need two flat screen TVs or an extra microwave. While you’re at it, devise a plan to split the cost of other home and cleaning essentials. 

 

Although a Marc Jacobs computer bag would look fabulous dangling from your shoulder, at $125 you can score a much less expensive version by going basic from stores like Target and Kohls. Choose function over form for a more financially-stable semester at school.

 

Cash is king, especially to a college student saving up for school. Those who find unused items laying around the house should consider hosting a garage sale or posting things for sale on Craigslist. Otherwise, de-clutter your closet and haul a bag of gently used yet fashionable pieces to a local consignment shop where you share the sale of each item. What’s one person’s trash is another’s treasure, so start selling!

 

Swapping is the new shopping and it’s a trend that is taking off across the country. Sites like Swap.com make trading books, sporting equipment, clothes, movies and goods easier than ever. Find a local swap event in your area or list your own--it’s free and easy.

 

Your cell phone can do more than save you from a bad date, it can save you a lot of money when you’re out shopping for school and college supplies. CouponSherpa's free mobile coupon app features hundreds of in-store coupons for instant savings at the register. RedLaser is a barcode scanning app that provides immediate price comparison options for a specific product and SaleLocator offers a GPS enabled app that helps users find local sales and discounts at various retailers around town.