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Curb your spending, and just maybe you’ll be able to afford all your textbooks and readers this semester. Lifehacker offered an interesting top ten guide to saving, so here’s our ripoff.
Reuse Stuff
Grab a Klean Kanteen–we’ve heard tell they’re the safest and most durable water bottle on the market, though that’s up for debate. Sure, it’s kinda costly for a water-holder, but imagine all the moola you’re saving by saying buh-bye to plastic. Oh, and it’s, like, good for trees or something.
Get some reusable shopping bags (canvas works well), and if you shop at Trader Joe’s, you get the chance to win a discount on groceries. If you shop at Whole Foods (though that’s not really saving money, but OK), you can get an automatic credit on that day’s purchase.
Sell Your Books
No, not to the student store or even Ned’s. Sell directly to other students through ComeGetUsed.com or set up shop through Amazon.com. Not only will you give fellow students a better deal than the big textbook store, but you’ll get more of your money back than either Ned’s or the campus could ever cough up.
More Food Cheapies
Meatloving apartment dweller? Buy a whole chicken, not piece by piece. The whole is actually less than the sum of its parts. Or, board at a nearby co-op and have full access to its fridges and home-cooked meals prepared for you. You can even negotiate under the table for a lower price if the official rate is too much for you.
Make your own coffee. Save yourself that daily $3. You’d be surprised how much your caffeine addiction can add up.
Buy Secondhand Clothes
We swear, not everything at Buffalo Exchange is gross and polyester. You’ll find the best deals here as well as Crossroads Trading Co. If you’re into a hunt, Jeremy’s on College Avenue occasionally reveals great buys during its weekend sales.
Image Source: torugatoru under Creative Commons
Top 10 Ways to Save Money in a Recession [Lifehacker]
Earlier: Find a Gender-Neutral Restroom
Comments:
Jan 20, 2009 at 8:57 pm
The best way to save money on books is to use http:\\www.bigwords.com. I’ve stopped shopping anywhere else for my textbooks. Bigwords.com searches multiple sites and shows you the lowest prices on textbooks, DVDs, electronics, and more. You can save money by shopping bigwords.com for your entertainment needs.
Jan 21, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Dude, even Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads is too expensive for me. Some thrift stores have some nice stuff, but you have to hunt. I love Reruns, I got two pairs of boots and few tops, and each item was a dollar!!!
Jan 20, 2009 at 9:47 am
> Get some reusable shopping bags (canvas works well)…
Maybe for some, but not for me. I always forgot them in the car!
The solution I chose cost me money in the short run, although about $3/ea, ripstop nylon bags should last a really long time ( Breezy Bags ) and should work out pretty cheap.
Instead of being in the trunk, 5 of these bags, in their own pouch, fit right in my purse.
Besides, I feel good using them and that gives me more energy to get a good deal when I’m shopping!