Forget the spending spree for college-bound students

Aug. 01--Freshmen are going to spend quite a bit of money just walking onto campus. Dorm life can be fun, but it can also put a dent in Mom and Dad's pocketbook. We talked to a few college students and found that many items never even made it out of the box: irons, lap desk, hangers, storage containers and even TVs. It's an exciting time for you and your college-bound student. But, as the cost of college continues to rise, consider some of these useful money-saving shopping tips.

Books -- Don't buy new books. Used books are the same and much cheaper. Rentals are popular, too. Try these sites: cheapesttextbooks.com, campusbooks.com and bigwords.com.

Clothing -- Unless it's a coat or a jacket, don't buy any new clothing. Most students will jump up in the morning and head to class sporting yoga pants and a basic tee. Think thrift shops. Definitely pack the flip-flops for communal bathrooms.

TVs -- Kids consume their shows using Netflix, Hulu and YouTube on their laptop, iPad or phone. Skip the TV. Colleges have televisions in common areas.

Bedding -- You're lucky if your child will even make his or her bed. Skip the matchy matchy bedding ensemble. Basic white sheets, a comfy pillow and a comforter will do the trick.

Credit Card -- If you're going to do it, put a cap on the card. Remember to search wisely for the best interest rate for college students.

Meals -- Skip the fast-food joints, pizza deliveries and name-brand coffee shops. In one week, a student can spend as much as $100 on these indulgences. If you purchase a meal plan, make sure your child sticks with it. Most universities have their own coffee shops, pizza joints and burgers on campus, as part of the meal plan, to satisfy your cravings.

Dorm décor -- Don't overspend on dorm decorations. Buy a poster of your child's favorite model, actress, TV show or movie. One poster can start up a conversation.

Snacks -- Hold off buying snacks. Wait to see what type of food the dining hall has. Most likely, the food your kid wants will be there.

School supplies -- Don't overdo it on school supplies. It's not like middle school where you shop from the school list. Start with just a few notebooks and pens or pencils.

Jewelry stands -- Don't bring the huge jewelry hanger. Your child won't use it, and there's no place to store it.

Student discounts -- Look for student discounts at stores such as J. Crew Factory. Students get at extra 15 percent off when they show their student ID. Many museums offer discounted admission prices when using a student ID, even abroad.

Microwave -- Don't buy the smallest microwave. Some microwaveable popcorn bags won't even fit once its popped.

Photos -- Limit the number of friends and family photos. Buy cheap frames. Don't go for high-end frameworks. You'll risk them getting broken or damaged.

Computers -- Stay away from laptops with low memory. You may end up buying a second laptop by junior year. Invest in a PC or Mac with at least 6 GB of RAM. Microsoft releases monthly updates that could slow your machine down. Look for a computer that fits both academic and personal needs.

Cellphone plans -- This can be tricky. If you buy a plan with limited text and talk time, odds are you will exceed this time. In the long run, you may be spending more on your monthly phone bill for extra minutes. Look for plans that offer unlimited text/talk time.

Transportation -- A car can be a hindrance with parking, insurance and car payments. Check out public transit on college campuses. You may find public transit is the cheaper way to go.

Karen Deer is a ?Home & Away reporter. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/deals and Twitter at twitter.com/kmdeer.

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