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“College Savings Advice & Tips On How To Get A Low-
ROOM & BOARD
Room, Board & Transportation
Food, transportation and lodging will most likely be a major expense at college. Here are a few tips to try to control those expenses.
1. Eating at college is expensive. If you don’t cook and want to make sure fast food or expensive restaurant food does not become the everyday menu, the college meal plan may be a suitable alternative. However, they are generally expensive. Also, if the student chooses not to take maximum advantage of the plan, and has money left over in the meal plan at the end of the semester, these funds are generally forfeited, causing the meal plan to become very expensive. So make sure if you have a meal plan it is used to the maximum extent, given the funds spent.
2. College students are famous for snacking. Avoid buying snacks out of vending machines or from convenience stores. Buy snacks at grocery or discount stores and keep them in your room. If your dorm allows you to have a refrigerator or microwave this can also help in reducing food costs.
3. Use student discounts whenever possible. Almost everything on campus and often nearby off campus is less expensive with a student ID. Bank accounts, public transportation, the movies, eating out, flowers, malls, airlines, etc. often offer student discounts. Always ask if a student discount is available.
4. Leave your car at home. Unless it’s absolutely necessary to have a car in order to get home on holidays, having a car on campus is expensive and can be a hassle. Parking, insurance, theft and other auto related expenses and worries can really detract from the college experience and cost plenty. And on most campuses you can either walk to your destination or take campus transit. Or perhaps a friend has a car. And if you do leave your car at home, ask your insurance company if they give discounts for good grades and for students who attend school away from home.
5. Living on campus can be expensive, but living off campus can be very expensive.
While dorm rooms are not cheap, living off campus has several hidden costs that
need to be considered. Most off-
