College Advice - Part I - Save $$$

I can't believe it!  I am finally graduating in 9 days and who would have thought that I would be a college graduate?!  

I've always been rather resourceful and thrifty... I managed to save a lot of money by doing a couple of things, and since I am graduating... I wanted to share some tips for you to save some $$$...

Tip #1 - Buy your Books EARLY!!

Most of the books are already listed for the spring semester - what are you waiting for?!  Buy them online - shop and compare!!

Head to: UH BOOKSTORE (CLICK HERE FOR LINK!)

Select your classes... and voila!! a list of books will be presented! Note: you will have to recheck this at least once a week as some professors wait until last minute to publish the book list (which feel free to email them as well).

Shop online!  My top 2 choices are: Amazon and Barnes & Nobles - each of these shops have a used sections... pretty much all you have to do is cut and pate the ISBN number and shop!

Let's compare a couple of books!

Example #1 - A required textbook for ANTH 484

From UH Bookstore:

 From Amazon (with free shipping if you spend $25 and no TAX!)

Example #2 - ANTH #151

From UH Bookstore:

From Amazon ($3.99 for shipping!)

Those 2 books alone - you just saved $30!

Tip #2 - Check out scholarships!

While this is not theoretically saving money, its free money you didn't have before!  Yes! Log onto your star account and apply to those scholarships!  Deadlines are normally February (FOR THE FALL SEMESTER! APPLY EARLY and get ORGANIZED!)

Also, check out ASUH portal for more scholarship opportunities - everything ranging from GRE/GMAT prep, field schools research grants, and tuition payment!

This also ties into my next blog... College Advice - Part II

UPDATE: CLICK HERE for Presidential Scholars Program - FULL RIDE + Monthly Stipend

Tip #3 - Student Discounts

With student discounts you can save on everything from your cell phone bill, travel, activities, etc.  Just be smart about it.  Example... Google "Sprint Education discount"... the link http://sprint.p.delivery.net/m/p/nxt/dev/wdyw.asp should be the first link... You just click on it... add your school email and voila... you're given access to saving 10% off your recurring bill.

Ha, I could seriously write more about saving $$, but I'm sure you're already being resourceful!

Off to study for finals!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.