Education

Where Can You Find Free School Supplies?

August 2, 2018 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

free school supplies, back to school deal, school supplies promo

If you are buying school supplies for an elementary school student, you can expect to spend around $650 for everything on the list, based on data from 2017. A middle school-aged child may need $1,000 in supplies. If you have a high school student, the total comes close to $1,500.

The back-to-school shopping season is the second-largest during the year. Across 29 million households, the total spent will likely reach approximately $27.6 billion.

However, some families may be able to reduce their costs. In many cities, free school supplies are available, particularly to low-income households. Which programs are available depends on where you live. With that in mind, here are some free school supplies programs and the locations they serve.

Operation Homefront’s Back-to-School Brigade

The Operation Homefront Back-to-School Brigade provides backpacks filled to the brim with free school supplies to military children. The organization hosts 60 events across the country, largely at military bases.

Some of the events have already occurred, but many are still accepting applicants, as the program runs through August 9 in 2018. You do need to register in advance if you want to guarantee that your child will receive a backpack at an event.

If there isn’t an event near you, contact your local Family Readiness Group (FRG) as free school supplies may be available there instead.

Salvation Army

Another national organization that provides free school supplies to children in need is the Salvation Army. Some locations host events while others distribute the supplies on a less structured basis.

Typically, income restrictions do apply, though they can vary between locations. Contact your local Salvation Army to see if they are providing free school supplies and to determine if you qualify.

Kids in Need Foundation

With 40 resource centers across the country, the Kids in Need Foundation provides free school supplies to children in need. In 2017, they gave support to 6.2 million kids as well as 180,000 teachers, ensuring children had the items they needed to succeed.

These resource centers operate through an affiliate program including in partnership with Schoolhouse Supplies in Portland, Oregon, and KidSmart in St. Louis, Missouri.

Many of the resource centers only provide free school supplies to teachers, though this can allow educators to help kids in need who are learning in their classrooms.

Operation School Bell

A Phoenix, Arizona, program, Operation School Bell provides school uniforms to children from low-income families. To be considered eligible, your child must qualify for the free or reduced lunch program and selected by a social worker or another employee at the school.

The program also provides emergency to clothing to children who’ve experienced a qualifying tragedy, such as a fire or homeless.

Back 2 School Illinois

The Back 2 School Illinois initiative provides free school supplies to families in need who live in the state. In 2017, the program gave out over one million items to more than 34,000 children, mostly in the form of Back 2 School kits, each of which has about 30 pieces.

In August, the “BIG” Distribution Day Event gives out a stunning amount of supplies. However, assistance is also available all year through their numerous partners, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago and the YMCA.

It Takes a Village Back-to-School Event, Atlanta

The annual It Takes a Village Back-to-School Event provides free school supplies to families in need. They use a first-come, first-serve model and you need tickets to attend, though the event is free.

In 2018, the event is on September 7 at the Wolf Creek Library. Along with free schools supplies, there will also be food, drinks, and access to a range of resources.

Jefferson County School Supplies Distribution

Students in Jefferson County, Colorado, can attend a free event at Stevens Elementary School to receive free school supplies. The distribution of the items occurs over the course of a week in early August, though the day you can attend depends on the child’s last name.

Other Possible Resources

There are a lot of charitable organizations that may have free school supplies available. If you aren’t sure what is available in your area, there are a few places worth contacting.

For example, you can begin with your local United Way chapter. While they may not provide supplies directly, they can give you information on helpful charities in your area.

Local churches can also be an excellent resource, and you don’t always have to be a member to get help. You can also contact your local Love Inc. or similar groups to see if assistance is available nearby.

Another great resource is your child’s school. Often, school administrators, social workers, and guidance counselors are well informed regarding places that are providing free school supplies. They can likely provide you with contact information for a range of organizations, giving you the best opportunity to find free school supplies for your child.

Low-Cost School Supplies

If you aren’t eligible for free school supplies or still have some items on your list, certain stores tend to have lower prices on school supplies than others.

Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics, the craft stores, can be a great place to shop if you get your hands on good coupons. Both stores allow you to use multiple coupons on one transaction, making coupons that only apply to a single item easier to use. They offer print, mobile, app, and email coupons, so consider signing up for additional discounts.

Walmart is often a leader when it comes to low-cost school supplies, and they usually have supply lists available near the front door, making it easy to make sure you get everything you need. If you buy name brand school supplies, make sure to use the Walmart Savings Catcher on the app. That way, if another store sold it for less, you’ll get the difference back as a Walmart gift card.

Staples is another great option, particularly because of its price matching program. If you find the same product for less somewhere else (including on Amazon), they won’t just match the price; they’ll beat it by 10 percent. This means a little bit of research can help you save a bundle, making it worth the effort.

Do you have a great resource for free school supplies? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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Managing a Successful Team

August 1, 2018 By Justin Weinger Leave a Comment

To build a great team, you need to be a great leader. Proper team building requires careful consideration and understanding of the people working for you, their strengths, their weaknesses and what excites them. To build a great team, you have to be adept at managing egos, which can be both an art and a science.

To manage a successful team, you first have to be aware of how you work to be able to help your teamwork. Take the time to understand your own management styles and techniques and figure out if they’re as affective as you think they are. Management at JJsHouse understands that, though they may be in charge, their company can’t run without the health, happiness, and dedication of their employees. To this end, managers at JJsHouse get together on an annual basis to discuss tactics and techniques to keep their departments happy and connected.

It’s also important to understand what motivates your team and to do this, you have to know your team well. You should be able to pick up on tensions within the team or people who aren’t a great fit. Don’t let an employees’ shy demeanor make you think they’re not a dedicated team player. Also, don’t let the charm of a more boisterous employee mask their mistakes. As a great leader, you need to know what buttons to push and when you should push them to activate the talent that surrounds them. However, if you push those buttons too much or at the wrong time, you’re liable to push a good employee right out of the company.

When giving feedback to your team, it’s important to be proactive. Many managers tend to wait until a problem arises to give feedback, however, this could leave your team feeling underappreciated and attacked. Instead, take time to give positive feedback as well so that any negative feedback (when it has to come) won’t be so overwhelming, VeryVoga uses a bi-weekly, short and informal series of one-on-one meetings with each of their employees to give consistent feedback that informs them of their successes and of their failings without it seeming like a big deal.

Finally, you want to make sure you always celebrate your team’s successes. Organize team-building events when your team completes a large project, publicly announce to the team when each and every one of your employees has had a successful project or has been recognized for an accomplishment. It’s important to remember that your employees see these acknowledgements as motivation to continue expanding their job skills and increase their dedication to their jobs. Be careful not to become a leader who self-aggrandizes due to their team’s accomplishment. While you may have the team, you do in part because of your leadership style, your employees are what make all the difference. Keep it in mind every day so that you don’t lose good employees who end up feeling neglected and unnoticed in their jobs.

Everything You Need to Know About Tax Free Weekends

July 31, 2018 By Amanda Blankenship Leave a Comment

The new school year is swiftly approaching and many parents are preparing to buy their children’s school supplies. To offer an opportunity for parents to save money, many states hold a tax-free weekend in late July, early August. The weekend offers a pass on sales tax on certain items including school supplies, books, clothing, electronics, and other items.

About Tax-Free Weekends

Select states participate in a tax-free weekend. Generally, it is timed to occur around the time school starts in the area. As mentioned above, a number of items are eligible for the tax break. To view specific items that will be tax-free, you’ll want to check your state government’s website. There may be certain categories, such as electronics, that have a price cap for the tax holiday. Local sales tax may also still apply in some cases.

Which States Have A Tax-Free Weekend?

Not all states participate in a tax-free holiday. However, folks living in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin can all take advantage of their state’s tax-free weekend. Generally, they fall between August 1 and August 25.

It is also worth noting that Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon do not have sales tax throughout the year. Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia do not tax non-prescription drugs. These states also have lower taxes on food and clothing.

Clothing is completely tax-free in Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island all year round.

Can I Shop Online During My States Tax-Free Weekend?

Yes, you can.

Qualifying purchases made online during your state’s tax-free weekend are eligible for the discount. Certain retailers will remove the sales tax from eligible purchases in your shopping cart. Some may require you to submit your receipt for reimbursement.

When is My State’s Tax-Free Weekend?

Unfortunately, if you live in Alabama, Tennessee, or Mississippi, you’ve already missed your state’s tax-free weekend. These states participated in the tax-free holiday in late July. You’ll still be able to take advantage of the great tax-free deals happening in the states below.

Arkansas

Arkansas’ tax-free holiday will be August 4 and August 5. You can get clothing and footwear items under $100 and $50 accessories tax-free. All school supplies will be tax-free in Arkansas (no limit).

Connecticut

You’ll be able to get a tax break on clothing and footwear under $100 August 19-25 in Connecticut.

Florida

Tax-free weekend is August 3-5 in Florida. Get a tax break on school supplies (up to $15 per item). Clothing items $60 and under will also be tax-free.

Iowa

Clothing and footwear will be tax-free in Iowa August 3-4.

Maryland

Maryland’s tax-free weekend is August 12-18. You will be able to get clothing and footwear items under $100 and $40 of your backpack purchase tax-free.

Missouri

August 3-5 is when Missouri is holding its tax-free holiday. Clothing under $100, school supplies ($50 per purchase), software ($350), computers ($1,500), and graphing calculators ($150).

New Mexico

New Mexico’s tax-free weekend is August 3-5. Get clothing and footwear items under $100, computers under $1,000, computer accessories under $500, and school supplies under $30 tax-free.

Ohio

August 3-5 is when Ohio has its tax-free weekend. Clothing items up to $75 each, school supplies up to $20 per item, and instructional materials ($20 per item) will all be included.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s tax-free holiday will be held August 3-5. Clothing and footwear items under $100 will be tax-free.

South Carolina

August 3-5 are the dates for South Carolina’s tax-free weekend. There is no limit to the items included. You will be able to get all accessories, bed and bath linens, clothing, computers, footwear, school supplies, and software tax-free.

Texas

Texas is holding its tax-free weekend August 10-12 this year. Get clothing and footwear items ($100 each), backpacks ($100), and school supplies ($100) tax-free during this period of time.

Virginia

Virginia will offer a tax break on school supplies ($20 per item) as well as clothing and footwear ($100 per item) August 3 through August 5.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is holding its tax-free holiday August 1-5. Items included are clothing ($75 per item), Computers ($750) and computer supplies ($250 per item), and school supplies ($75 per item).

Getting The Most Out of A Tax-Free Weekend

If you’re looking to get the best deals available this tax-free weekend, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind before heading out.

Be sure what you are buying is included in the tax-free holiday. As you may have noted above, certain items are excluded and there are caps on certain categories.
Write a list. Writing a list can help you refrain from buying items you don’t need. If you’re headed out for school supplies, stick to that list. Don’t be tempted by other tax-free deals.
Go out early. Many people will be crowding the stores over the tax-free weekend. Be sure to get out as early as possible to avoid the crowds. You’ll also want to hit the clothing section before others. This way, you’ll get in line for the dressing rooms first.
Keep your receipts. This is a good rule of thumb for any purchase you may be able to deduct from your taxes later on. Some states or online stores, as mentioned above, will require you to submit your receipts for reimbursements.

Readers, are you planning to shop during your state’s tax-free weekend? Tell us about it in the comments below.

The Pros and Cons of MLM Programs

July 16, 2018 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

pros and cons of mlm

In 2017, approximately 18.6 million people were involved in multi-level marketing programs (MLM) in the US. Around $34.9 billion in retails sales took place across the country, showing just how much money circulates through these businesses.

While the numbers seem positive, and many MLM sales representatives swear that success is possible, MLMs come with their fair share of risks. However, there are benefits to these arrangements, as long as you play it smart.

What is Multi-Level Marketing?

MLM, also referred to as “direct selling” and “network marketing,” can represent a number of program structures. The most common business model involves companies that distribute products to distributors, the sales representatives, and those individuals make the retail sales.

The multi-level part of the structure refers to the hierarchy used by the company. Representatives can recruit new sellers to work under them, gaining access to a portion of that person’s profits. The more recruits you have, the more money you can make. And, as your recruits recruit and make sales, you get a piece of those profits too.

Perceived Convenience

One of the biggest benefits touted by MLM companies is the ability to set your own schedule. This makes it seem like working MLM selling into your life will be easy, and it certainly can be.

Many people are lured into becoming sales representatives based on the idea of working part-time. There are no set hours for these positions, so they can adapt to nearly any schedule.

However, if you want to make a profit, working part-time might not be enough. Unless you have a large group of potential customers right from the beginning, it will take time and effort to build your clientele. Often, new sellers underestimate the amount of work involved when it comes to getting everything off the ground, so it’s important to be realistic about the potential of these arrangements.

Initial Startup Costs

When considering the pros and cons of MLM programs, the startup costs are a factor. Typically, each new representative has to purchase a base level of inventory, usually in the form of a starter kit.

The costs of starter kits vary. Some are less than $100 while others may cost $5,000 or more. This is money you have to spend up front, and you only get it back if you sell.

For instance, a LuLaRoe starter kit is about $5,500. If you want to get started with Beachbody, a mostly digital business, you’ll need to pay $39.95 to start as a coach along with a monthly fee of $15.95.

Since the starter kits vary in cost so dramatically, it’s important to research any company you are considering before you make a move.

Ongoing Expenses

The startup costs only reflect part of your expenses. You’ll also need to replace sold inventory, store the items until they sell, and transport them to parties. Plus, it doesn’t account for the time you’ll spend attempting to sell the products, including maintaining websites, social media profiles, and other forms of advertising you may choose to try.

In some cases, the companies send new inventory automatically. This means you’ll have a recurring charge (usually a credit card number is necessary at sign up to support these expenses) every month no matter how much you sell or don’t sell. Often, MLM companies report your inventory purchases as sales for the company. This can falsely inflate sales numbers by making your purchases appear as though retail customers are buying.

Some MLM companies have additional ongoing costs on top of inventory-related expenses. You may have to pay extra to maintain your company-hosted website, for example. If you sell your items at parties, a common approach for many sellers, you may have to provide the host with free products or a discount on purchases.

Recruiting other sellers is practically a requirement if you want to make a profit, and it isn’t always easy. It takes a substantial amount of time to convince others to work under you, so keep that in mind as well.

What are the Loss Rates?

One of the caveats of MLM programs is the need to purchase products up front. In most cases, sales representatives have to maintain their own inventory. This means they have to buy some of the products before they can make any sales.

Plus, maintaining your inventory is also an essential part of the program. When you sell items, you usually have to replace them quickly, cutting into your profits.

If you aren’t able to sell your inventory, or at least enough to offset new inventory purchases, you are operating at a loss.

Many MLM companies provide misleading data regarding their success and loss rates. However, a report by Jon M. Taylor of the Federal Trade Commission, states that the loss rate is 99 percent. That means only one in every 100 sales representatives make a profit. Everyone else doesn’t.

If you extrapolate that information to apply to the 18.6 million people working in the industry, that means 18.4 million are operating at a loss. Only 186,000 representatives are making a profit.

What are the Pros and Cons of MLM Programs?

It is important to note that you can make a profit as an MLM sales representative. However, the vast majority of people don’t. In fact, some sellers have even called certain MLM companies scams. LuLaRoe is being sued by multiple former representatives who assert that the company is actually a pyramid scheme.

When reviewing the pros and cons of MLM, most would say that the rewards don’t outweigh the risks, especially if you look at the numbers. Much of making profits involves recruiting other sellers, allowing you to access a piece of their earnings. But, if you target friends and family, you could over saturate your town with representatives, which will impact each rep’s sales.

Since internet sales are often an option, you may be able to expand your reach. However, there are a lot of representatives operating online, so competition can be fierce.

Before you commit any money, take a hard look at the company. Seek out news and reports from reputable organizations, such as government agencies, to see if what the company claims is true, and don’t get pulled in by sales representative reviews that may only be platforms for them to recruit.

Even if everything looks good, it’s important to realize that your business can still fail. If you are comfortable with that, then proceed with caution, and make sure you read the fine print to see how hard it is to get out if you decide it is no longer right for you.

Have you ever been an MLM seller? If so, what were some MLM Pros and Cons you experienced? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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Smart Ways to Save for College

July 8, 2018 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

The path to saving for college can be long and exhausting. You’re expected to save an outrageous amount of money for each child and to do so over the uncertain 18 year period from when they’re born until when they arrive at college. It’s hard to figure out how to save, where to save, and even how much to save. College tuition is increasing at unprecedented rates and will be in a completely different ballpark by the time kids actually get to college. There are ways to prepare yourself for the inevitably high tuition costs, and concrete steps you can take to soften the blow.

Key tips on saving for college:

Start early

The earlier you start to save for college, the more your interest will compound and easier it will be to reach your savings goals. It’s hard to look so far into the future, but if you devote the funds early, you’ll thank yourself later.

Set a reachable goal

Steady deposits into a dedicated college fund (such as a 529 plan) are a good way to set yourself up. Still, it’s important to set a reasonable goal so that you’re not overextending yourself. You don’t want to severely compromise your current financial situation too much for the sake of future tuition expenses.

Check out how financial aid is calculated and awarded

Federal financial aid is given through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which is awarded in part based on expected family contribution (EFC). This is calculated using family income, social security benefits, and assets, along with other factors. It’s wise to take a look at how your finances fit into the EFC calculator and see where you stand and your kids stand on potential aid awards.

Student Jobs

It’s never a bad idea to start helping out early, given extracurriculars and sports aren’t completely disregarded. Kids can chip-in by working part-time and during the summer in both high schools, and then in college through work-study programs.

Choosing the right plan

There are a variety of government plans out there to help you save for college. Many provide tax benefits in exchange for some (often strict) rules on how you can use the money you’ve deposited into those special accounts.

Good options to store your college savings:

529 Plans

529 plans are a very popular way to save for college. In short, they provide tax-free status to your savings until the money is withdrawn, after which it’s taxed at the student’s (ostensibly) low tax bracket. The money invested in a 529 can only be used for college tuition and some select related items such as supplies and textbooks. There is a 10% penalty for using the money for another purpose and it’s also then subject to income tax.

State Specific

529 plans are available in 41 states and are run by each one independently. As such their specifics vary across state lines, but they generally function in a similar way. There are even states like Pennsylvania and Maine where you can hold 529 accounts and not reside within those state.

Account

In a college savings plan, your money is invested in stocks and bonds throughout its time in the account. It will grow at a tax-free rate but will be subject to economic and financial market volatility. If you don’t want to incur such risk and are planning on paying in-state tuition, you can opt for a prepaid tuition plan.

Contribution rates

What makes 529’s so popular, besides their tax-exempt status, is their relatively high contribution rates. That is, in this case, the amount of money that can be directed towards that account that will remain tax-free given it’s used for its conceived purpose. Though it varies by state, max contribution rates on 529’s usually hover around $300,000 per beneficiary. You have to be careful though, you have to spread out the payments or they’ll incur a gift tax.

Financial Aid

Once it’s time to apply for federal aid, the total amount in the account will be assessed at 5.64% in the EFC calculation. So if you have $10,000 in your account, $564 will be included in your assets when calculating EFC. This may impact your aid eligibility, yet these terms are generally quite lenient in this regard.

Drawbacks

One of the most important things to take into account when opting for this plan is its strict rules and restrictions. As previously explained, penalties for deviated funds outside the tuition of the person who it’s intended for can be steep. This includes restrictions on using the money for someone else’s tuition, and for related purchases that aren’t considered within their range of acceptable charges.

Prepaid Tuition:

Prepaid tuition plans are a great option if you’re planning on paying tuition in-state. It allows you to pay for college credits in advance for a particular state’s public university system at a preset price today. This is useful given the nearly guaranteed sharp increases in tuition prices over the next couple of years.

However, if your child opts for another state or a private school, you won’t get the full value of the tuition credit back and you’ll be forced to pay 10% on the principle you invested plus the low interest it has acquired over time.

You can choose to have both a 529 and a Prepaid tuition plan to help pay for college. A mix between the two can be a great way to take advantage of both plans.

Education IRA

The Education IRA is an older, scaled down version of the 529. It allows for a $2000 yearly deposit into a tax-free account and follows many of the same rules as the 529. One key difference is that you must be within the income limit to qualify for this kind of plan, which leaves many families unable to take advantage of it. Also, this is an investment account, which means that it will be subject to market volatility just like any other account of this kind.

UGMA and UTMA Accounts

The Uniform Gift to Minors Act and the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act allow an adult to deposit funds in an account for the benefit of a minor until the time that he/she is of age. What this basically means is that the money deposited will be “owned” by the adult, until the minor turns 18, after which the funds will be “gifted” or “transferred” to them.

There are some tax benefits to this account: The first $1000 is tax-free, and another $1000 is taxed at the student’s tax bracket. The rest is taxed at the adult’s bracket. This gives some basic tax incentives but has the drawback (or benefit, depending on who you are) of not having spending restrictions. So a minor could choose to spend it on their college tuition, or anything else they can come up with. It’s technically their money once they turn 18.

There many ways to start saving for college, and special plans that help you to do so. The important thing, in the end, is to get help from as many places as you can and plan out your savings strategy in advance. If you know where you’re headed, you’ll have a much better understanding of what it is you need to do right now to get there. Take advantage of the resources out there, of which there are many, and start devoting money towards a tuition fund as soon as you can.

Dorm Room Storage Hack-Amazing Products for More Space

July 7, 2018 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

dorm room storage hack

In the US, there are approximately 20.4 million college students. While not all of them choose to live on-campus, many do.On average, the price of room and board at a public institution is $10,800 per year. At private colleges and universities, that rises to $12,210. In most cases, that gives access to around 100 square feet, and they may have to share that space. In order to make the room better try a dorm room storage hack.

However, if you bring the right items along, any dorm room can be more comfortable. Finding ways to sneak in storage options is a must, and using the space wisely makes a lot of difference. With that in mind, here are a few amazing products that can make any college dorm room more livable.

Bed Risers

When you need to create storage space in a dorm room, bed risers can make a world of difference. These products go under each of the legs of the bed, lifting it off the ground.

You can find them in different heights, allowing you to choose a size that works best for you. Some even come with power outlets. Simply plug them into the wall outlet that sits behind the bed, and you can easily access the plugs.

After you select your risers, you can choose storage boxes that will fit into the space. You can find a variety of options, including under bed bins with wheels for easier access or foldable ones that are more convenient to store when not in use.

Door Organizers As a Dorm Room Storage Hack

Shoe organizers that hang on the door give you extra storage pockets without sacrificing floor space. They come with hooks that slip onto the top of the door and usually don’t interfere with the door’s operation.

Fabric versions are great if you need to store items discretely. Clear door organizers are ideal if you need to see everything stored in the pockets.

They can hold anything from shoes to toiletries to school supplies to snacks. Consider getting one for every door for maximum storage efficiency.

Command Hooks and Strips

Most college dorms have strict rules about hanging things on the walls. Many don’t allow nails or thumbtacks, and some even restrict standard tape.

Usually, the restrictions are there to ensure the students don’t damage the walls during their stay. However, if you need to store items on hooks or hang pictures, Command Hooks and Strips are usually allowed.

Command hooks and strips are available in a range of sizes, typically denoting different carrying capacities. You can hang hats, scarves, bags, and keys for the hooks, while the strips make putting pictures on the wall a breeze.

Plus, when you leave the dorm, they peel off the wall without damaging the surface, ensuring you can get your deposit back.

Bed Caddies

Most dorm room nightstands are small, and some don’t have one at all. If you need to keep items like your cell phone, glasses, or a favorite book near your bed, pick up a bed caddy.

These little pouches have a flap that fits between the mattress and the box spring. Once you set up the bed caddy, the weight of the mattress keeps it in place.

In most cases, you can add a few along the edge of the bed, giving you additional storage for small items.

You can also find bedside trays that attach to the frame. This can give you an extra surface for drinks and other items, just like a nightstand would.

Shower Locker

If you share a bathroom with a roommate and want to keep your toiletries in the bathroom secure, consider getting a shower locker. They stick to shower walls with suction cups and have internal shelves for additional storage.

Plus, they have combination locks on the door. This means your roommate won’t “accidentally” use your shampoo or other items because they can’t access them.

If your bathroom walls are entirely tile, you can actually put up a few. Then you can protect all of your personal hygiene items, ranging from your toothbrush to your razors to your face wash.

Wire Storage Cubes

Whether you need additional shelves in a closet or a way to organize items along an empty wall, wire storage cubes can be a great option. They come in pieces so that you can configure them in a variety of ways. Plus, putting them together is easy, usually not requiring anything more than a reasonably strong grip.

You can even set up the top row as baskets instead of shelves, allowing you to easily store items that might not sit upright on their own.

Silverware Organizer

Silverware organizers can do more than just hold forks and spoons. They are excellent for keeping desk drawers arranged, giving you sections for pens and pencils that prevent them from rolling around.

They can also work as jewelry storage, letting you keep necklaces and earrings separated. If you set one near the door on a table, it can make a great drop zone too. You can keep your keys and similar small items in different sections, so you always know where to find them.

Ultimately, all of the dorm room storage options above can help make a dorm room feel more comfortable. Consider giving them all a try, especially if you are sharing an incredibly small space with another student. This is another great dorm room storage hack.

Do you have a favorite dorm room storage hack? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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