How to Save on Back to College Supplies

Summer vacation is wrapping up, and parents around the country are preparing to spend thousands on their children’s higher education. But one expense that’s not included in the tuition bill is supplies. And college freshman need lots of them.

But before you start a shopping list, create a budget. In today’s climate of exorbitantly high gas prices, real estate turmoil, and a weakened dollar, purchasing items without breaking the bank means comparative shopping and finding a one stop shop if you’re looking for dorm deliveries.

Yes, we know, for college students budgeting and cost analysis sounds like it’s straight from an accounting textbook, but for parents it’s an everyday reality. For starters, if you purchase items on your home turf, you might spend a lot less than at the campus store.

Here’s are some more tips:

Electronics
If your child is heading out of the house, the old clock or wake up calls by Mom and Dad may need to be replaced with a solid alarm clock. An online visit to Target (TGT) , Circuit City (CC) or Best Buy (BBY) allows you to shop around for the best clock that will meet your family’s aesthetic and budget needs.

Other Electronics: Book light, desk light, wireless internet card, telephone (not to be confused with a cell phone), flash card drive, external hard drive, and printer.

Threads
Traipsing around the house in a towel might not be a problem with mom and dad, but it doesn’t – or shouldn’t – pass in the dorms. Communal showers and bathrooms located down the hall should require a robe. A little comparative shopping on Amazon.com (AMZN) can shave a few bucks off this item.