First Year at College

It's your first year of college and you feel like you are getting ripped off in each direction you look. The food, books, classes, parking, random fees, parking tickets, and random stuff you wish you would have brought. There are a few things you can do to cut down on costs. the first thing, which is probably going to be your best way to save money is buying books not from the school but in other places.

1) Buy books from anywhere but the bookstore - Friends are your first best option. If they are no longer taking the class they'll probably sell it to you for cheaper then anyone, plus they'll be getting more then the buyback programs. If that doesn't work out try a quick search on Amazon on Ebay. You are almost guaranteed to find it cheaper. BUT before you buy it from anywhere do these simple tasks.

• Search for it on google, with pdf, or ebook afterwards. Some books are becoming easily downloadable with a quick search.
• International Books - International books are versions which are made to be sold outside of the United States. They are exactly the same, but they might have a different cover, be paperback, and possible black and white only. Besides that, I have save hundreds of dollars doing this. Several $200 text books, I have received for only $30, specifically math books. How do you find a international book. Do a search on ebay and you are bound to find some. Give yourself at least another week to receive your book though.
• If all else fails but it off Amazon. Before you purchase make sure you sign up for a free amazon prime account because you have .edu email address. This way you will get free 2 day shipping so you have it in time for class
• If your book is going to come late, buy it temporarily from the bookstore and return it before the last return day. You are bound to get your book by then.

2) Buy snacks and food from elsewhere - Keep a small mini fridge and collect all your snacking food from elsewhere like Costco. That $1 granola bar will probably only cost you $0.25. The school makes a filling off things like this and soda. Soda isn't good for you anyways but if you really need it, but it from somewhere else, especially energy drinks.  

3) Parking - Most schools there are ways to get around having a parking permit. As long as its not in a city most likely there is a side street somewhere close by you can park on. Of course this comes with less security but I've seen cars in paid parking lots with broken windows and vandalism. You'll have to hurry to these spots on side streets and make sure you don't leave during the day time or you probably won't get your spot back. I found the best time to leave and go is in the evening. if you come back in the morning by 9 you won't have a spot until 5.

4) Be aware of what you buy -  Most college students get the idea of sliding their id card and the cost magically disappears. Instead that charge is getting billed somewhere. If you are required to have a dinning plan. Start with the lowest one and work up. Your bound to spend less money this way, and you'll have more cash on hand to spend.