Financially surviving college

[Mosiman]

I appreciate all the feedback, it's very helpful!

The one issue with losing the car is that I live in Oregon, and we get rain all too often. Since I've been on here I put a ad up for my car (1988 Bronco, very inefficient) and am looking for a reliable little Honda or something along those lines.

[kork13]

Where in Oregon? Just curious, I've got alot of family/friends up there, in Medford/Ashland/Grants Pass, Portland, and Eugene.

A good option would be a bicycle. Certainly, it wouldn't be of much use on the nasty weather days, but on decent days, a bike is an excellent option, and Oregon is actually one of the more bike-friendly states (particularly if you're up north towards Portland). If you can use the bike even half the time, it would decrease your auto costs significantly. Less gas, maintenance, and probably lower insurance (most companies cut the price for low-mileage drivers).

As mentioned, a roommate can make living expenses much more manageable. It mostly just depends on finding someone you can get along with living in the same place together.

One thing of note, make sure that you're saving at least part of your income each month. It may seem impossible with a low income, but even just $50/mo builds up over time, and it can be a critical backstop if necessary.

[khosta]

Whatever you do.... try and stay away from student loans (when you go off to a University). I have student loans - not too, too bad - but they are a pain in the butt and really, just unwanted debt! Get a job that is close by - work when you're not in class - and stay away from teh bars!!! Drinking and partying will drain your wallet!!!!

[Frugal]

Bicycles are a really good idea in Oregon. I spent a year or so in Oregon growing up. They can get you around in some downtown areas, and say at the U of O campus in Eugene, when I have visited (about two years ago the last time) everyone was zipping by on bikes! It is definitely trendy. You can save A LOT on gas right now, because I think it will rise in Oregon pretty fast over $4.00 per gallon. My friend was just in Oregon the other day, and gas was up to $3.99 on the Coast.

As a side note, don't be ashamed to ride a bike to school. I had to do it, and so did many kids whose parents either could not or would not help them buy cars. You are in a vast majority of kids at college who are scraping by on very little, so don't worry too much about how it will look. Even if kids don't talk about it that openly, most are struggling to get by.

A Honda is a good car for commuting to college, if biking is not an option. They tend to have good resale value, at least in my area of the West. They can also get good mileage per gallon. I would not go with a brand new one, but also not one with too high of a mileage already put on the car...that is just my opinion, though.

Hope that helps! There are just so many ways you can think of now that will save you money later...you are at a good time to be planning!

[walker.kenny]

There are some online work sites where you can freelance in your spare time and make some quick bucks. Like someone said earlier, tutoring is a great option both online as well as offline. Good luck!

[My English Castle]

I teach at a local university, and along with working and avoiding student loans, I'd advise watching all your expenses very carefully. I see students moaning about money who come into my early morning classes with bakery pastries and extra-large lattes from the coffee shop totaling about $7. Learn to live cheaply: pack your lunch, watch your pennies, economize wherever you can.

[ceejay74]

This may be a small point but could save you a couple hundred per semester: Don't buy your books at the college bookstore. bigwords.com searches several sites for the best deal on a particular book, so you can make sure you're getting it as cheap as possible.

Once the semester is over, sell the textbooks. (I find half.com to be the easiest site to use, and you can leave your book listings up indefinitely for free--they take a commission when they sell, but they also help pay shipping so it's not that bad. They have a handy tool that helps you decide what price to list at, too.) KEEP that money set aside, and use it to buy your next semester's books (used via bigwords.com, of course).

My husband hasn't spent any new money on textbooks in years. Sometimes you lose a bit of money on a book, but other times you can even sell your book for higher than you bought it, so it tends to even out and you have enough money to cover the next semester.

[Little House]

If you can squeeze in a few extra hours of work, that would be a definite plus. Someone also mentioned ditching your car and looking into public transportation, a good option for saving a few bucks a month. Remember to "pay yourself first" and save a small portion of your income!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

When buying books online to save money, look for international editions. They can save you even more. They are especially available for the sciences. However, if you are really ordering them from overseas, order before the semester begins if you can. Sometimes it can take three weeks for books to arrive from China.

For entertainment savings, take advantage of free or inexpensive things happening on campus. Music, art, theater, movies, etc.