College is a wonderful time of new experiences, learning, meeting new people and growing up, but it’s also a time when money is usually tight. The most expensive college expenses aside from tuition fees tend to be classroom materials and the cost of furnishing your new bedroom, but getting your bedroom looking snazzy doesn’t have to be unaffordable, in fact you can do a lot if you do the correct amount of budgeting.

If you’re interested in learning some tips and tricks to keep your college costs low and have a beautiful pad without breaking the bank, read on!

Check the University’s Policies

You don’t want to spend some of that student loan on a new microwave to only find out later that your university doesn’t allow this kind of appliance in their dorms. It’s important to check which items you’re allowed to bring and which are forbidden, so you avoid spending money on things you’ll never use. Some colleges go as far as banning candles and posters up the wall, so keep your personal finance at the forefront and do your research before taking the plunge purchasing items.

Don’t be Sared to Get a Little Thrifty

Gabriel Lee, a lifestyle blogger at Boom Essays and Essay Roo reminds us, “You don’t have to purchase all your household items brand new, there are many second hand websites, online market places, thrift stores and flea markets where you can find useful items you can take to college for much cheaper, plus you’ll be helping to avoid more things end up in a landfill”.

You can also ask your friends and family if they’re looking to get rid of any times that could be useful to you, and you can even check curb sides for items people have mindlessly discarded. This may sound extreme but in reality people throw away perfectly functional items all the way. Think green, save yourself some pennies!

Team Up with Your Roommate

Its very likely you’ll end up with a roommate, and more than one as you progress out of dorms further down the line. Team up with your peers to buy stuff for your dorm or apartment. Jon Will, a design writer at Lia Help and State of writing says- “If you share the costs, you can create a lovely, homely space for half the cost! Compromise is key but it’s far better to jazz up your house with a friend than it is to do it all alone!”

Get Stuck into DIY

Nobody is expecting you to know how to build your own microwave, you’re definitely better off buying one of those, but if you want to give your furniture and space your own personal touches so you feel more at home, why not get stuck into some DIY? You can paint, carve, use textiles, the world is your oyster! Sometimes dorm rooms can feel a bit depressing because they all look the same and sometimes give off an eerie hospital bedroom vibe, but if you get creative with the furniture and the decorations, you can truly make a space stand out, without the need for overly fancy furnishings.



Make the Most of Shopping Apps, Discount Codes and Coupons

There are certain things that you probably shouldn’t buy used, like your bedsheets or your towels. In this case, look through discount shops like TJMaxx. There are hundreds of shopping apps that also offer great discount codes you can apply on your check out. You can also make the most of coupons and get some items that may seem irrelevant but that do make your dorm feel more homely, such as small décor like fairy lights, candles, rugs and carpets or soap dishes. You know what they say, the devil is in the detail!

Summary

Overall, college is as much about learning and preparing for the future as it is about having fun, discovering more about yourself as a person and making friends for life. As you may have already realised, you’re not going to have a great deal of free time and the free time that you do have you’ll want to spend in a nice, comfortable home. Financing college can seem like a daunting task, and it is, so cut out some of the hard work ahead of you and follow these five simple tips to make sure you’re not using your financial aid for anything that isn’t financing your education costs!