![]() If you do decide to affiliate with a club that has dues obligations, formulate a plan to pay for them on a regular schedule. Out of money? Invite your suitemates to a streaming party or suggest a free on-campus event rather than heading to the new blockbuster at the local theater. Then be prepared to make trade-offs: If you know that your crowd convenes for pizza every Friday, make that a priority and forgo the latte on the way to class. If you're using money from a summer job or monthly allowance, stash it in a high-yield savings account to boost your return. ![]() The best way to handle these social situations is to adhere to an entertainment budget that allocates a certain dollar amount per week. If you decide to join a sorority or fraternity, payments for Greek life can skyrocket, with spendy dues and additional fees for parties and functions. However, it's hard to resist the lure of the whole floor heading out for tacos or your study group's post-session iced coffee run. If you live in a dorm, you probably already paid big bucks for your meal plan. For those bigger-ticket items like a new laptop or TV, consider saving up with a certificate of deposit (or CD) account, a short-term deposit account that offers competitive returns with relatively low risk. Then coordinate with your roommates if you have them-one person can bring the smoothie blender while you cover the coffee maker. Fun, framed (free) photos will be your favorite décor. Your current desk lamp, hamper and fan will work just fine, and many homes have extra furnishings languishing in the garage-think shelving, area rugs or a table that can double as a nightstand. The best way to control dorm-related excess is to shop your own house and room before you leave. Not to mention that you won't want to artfully arrange those 10 decorative bed pillows when you're late for class. Less is more, both financially and just to fit in the relatively small space you're allocated. Spoiler alert: While there are some basics you will definitely need-think new sheets to cover that traditional Twin XL mattress-you don't need everything those back-to-school lists tout. Just spend a few minutes on social media or a big box website and you'll be inundated with “must haves" that add up fast. ![]() Moving out of your childhood bedroom might feel priceless, but outfitting your new one comes at a price. Here are eight unexpected college expenses that can throw you and your budget for a loop if you're not prepared, along with A+ tips that can help you save big bucks. Yet even if you have a financial plan to cover the “basics," such as tuition, room and board, there are many ways your budget can become derailed and have you wondering anew: Why is college so expensive? And tuition at private schools can be even higher. There's no question that college is expensive: According to the College Board, published in-state tuition and fees at public four-year schools averaged $10,740 during the 2021-2022 school year, while average out-of-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions rose to $27,560. “ Why is college so expensive" is a common complaint among students and families as they assess the costs of a traditional four-year college education.
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