Sending your college student to live in a dorm or college apartment for the first time is exciting, emotional and expensive. But it’s possible to set up a miniature home-away-from-home that’s comfortable and functional without breaking the bank. Check out these tips to save money on dorm room essentials.
Find Out What’s Included and Allowed
Standard dorm room amenities vary widely. Find out what is included with room and board and what you need to supply. Also find out what students are allowed to have in their rooms. Some dorms allow small appliances such as toaster ovens and coffee makers, while others forbid them. If you buy items they can’t use, you’ll have the hassle of bringing them back home with you and returning them to the store.
Create a Budget and Action Plan
As with all major expenditures, it’s best to set a budget when shopping for dorm essentials. It will help you stay focused and look for the best deals, rather than buying the first things that catch your eye. Be sure to reach out to your student’s future roommate to find out what they plan to bring and coordinate your shopping so you can avoid repetition on items the roommates will share.
Shop with Discounted Gift Cards
It takes a bit of planning, but shopping with discounted gift cards is an easy way to save money on dorm room essentials. Check out Raise, CardCash or Card Cookie to buy discounted gift cards for big box stores and other retailers. If you’re not familiar with discounted gift cards, these sites sell gift cards at a discount off face value. When you combine that with sale prices, it adds up to impressive savings on dorm essentials and school supplies.
Get the Student Discount
So many popular retailers offer student discounts of up to 20% with a valid school ID. Some of the stores that offer student discounts on dorm room essentials include:
- Apple
- Microsoft
- Dell
- Sony
- Amazon
- Sam’s Club
- JOANN Fabric (perfect for room décor)
- Goodwill (fun finds and furniture)
Don’t Overbuy
You want to set up your student with everything they need, but there’s a fine line between just enough and too much. You’ll want to make sure to get enough dorm room essentials for the first few weeks, but keep in mind space limitations and storage restrictions. You can always send a care package with additional supplies in a few weeks.
Look for All-in-One Deals
Inclusive deals, such as Bed-in-a-Bag sets, are almost always a good value and will save you money over buying items individually. Plus, they’re easier to pack and help ensure you don’t forget any key items. Look for money-saving inclusive sets of bed linen, towels, dishes, glassware and toiletries.
Compare Prices and Price Match
It’s increasingly common for Amazon to beat other retailers on price. But did you know that many major retailers will now price match Amazon? It takes a little bit of preparation and research, but it’s worth it for the potential savings. Here are several stores that will price match Amazon (be sure to check each store’s specific policies regarding price matching):
- JC Penney
- Target
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Lowe’s
- Home Depot
- JOANN Fabric
- Nordstrom
Check out our College Corner board on Pinterest for more money-saving dorm room ideas.
