According to U.S. News, the average price of tuition at a private institution was $35,676 during the 2018-2019 school year—that’s more than half of the median household income in the United States.
When you’re spending that much on tuition alone, there’s not much left in the budget for dorm room shopping. But the good news is creating a comfortable and functional dorm room for your child doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Just follow these savvy shopping tips to check off everything on your list for less.
1. Adapt the checklist to actual needs.
According to a recent survey, consumers spend approximately $5,400 per year on impulse purchases. And because people tend to impulse buy more when they’re happy and excited, parents (and their teenagers) may be more likely to make this shopping mistake during the back-to-college rush.
To avoid this trap, resist the urge to simply print out the school-issued checklist and dash off to the store. Instead…
- Sit down with your teen and think strategically about what they’ll really need.
- Talk to other parents who’ve already send their kids to college to see what they actually used.
- Have your teen talk to their new roommate about who’s bringing what.
- Take inventory of the things you already own. Once you’ve done your due diligence, pare down the list accordingly.
2. Ask for student discounts.
According to another recent survey, the average parent spent approximately $366 on dorm or apartment furniture last year. Slash that number by utilizing special student discounts.
Many companies—like Microsoft—drop prices by 10 percent or more if your kid has a valid school ID. Whether you pocket that extra money or reallocate funds to other purchases, the choice is all yours.
3. Take advantage of sales tax holidays.
Though it can be tempting to get your shopping done as soon as possible, it pays to wait for special promotions or events, like sales tax holidays. To help consumers save during big shopping rushes like back-to-school, many states have established sales tax holidays, or limited periods of time when specific products are exempt from state sales tax. Find a full list of state-by-state sales tax holidays, including eligible items, here.
4. Shop for quality over quantity.
Even when you’re on a budget, the cheapest item isn’t always the best item. Quality items are much more likely to stand the test of time, so you won’t have to make repeat purchases semester after semester.
The best items can even make great hand-me-downs for soon-to-be high school grads. So rather than buy your student a new bedding set every year, for example, find one that’s made of a natural and durable material, like this option.
5. Avoid dorm-specific products.
Just like items geared towards wedding or babies, furniture and decor made just for dorms can come at a premium price. Generally, a product that’s labeled as dorm-specific just means it’s smaller or appropriately sized for dorm room living (i.e. twin XL bedding). You may be able to find exactly what you’re looking for and save money by expanding your search beyond those end caps marketed toward back-to-college shoppers.
6. Look for items that do double duty.
When it comes to dorm room living, space is a real commodity. Double-duty furniture not only helps maximize square footage, but also helps you save on those back-to-college purchases.
So rather than buy a storage chest and a coffee table, for example, consider this storage table. It’s got a roomy surface that functions as a place to eat, but also has ample space inside for blankets, sweatshirts, or books.
7. Invest in the right things, DIY the rest.
Commit to spending the bulk of your budget on the larger items they’ll use to make day-to-day living easier, like this desk with built-in organization for cords and cables.
Although dorm room decor may be tempting, you can DIY things like pillows, wall art, and jewelry organizers for much less than comparable store-bought items. Many of these projects can be made even easier by repurposing household furniture and accessories—you’d be surprised by what a simple coat of paint can do!
8. Find out what you can borrow.
Most colleges offer rental services for dorm room appliances, like mini fridges and microwaves. This will save you from a big upfront cost, plus moving and/or storage expenses at the end of the school year. You can further pad your budget by borrowing other necessities, like textbooks, from rental sites.
9. Shop online and pick up in store.
A roomy wardrobe is a dorm room must-have. But if your teen is heading across the country, bigger pieces of furniture can be difficult and costly to transport. Save yourself the trouble (and avoid the back-to-school rush in stores) by shopping online and shipping everything.
Some retailers, like IKEA, offer in-store pickup, so you can shop from the comfort of your home, then pick up merchandise at the store of your choice anywhere in the country.
10. Stay in one store.
Rather than drive all around town, limit your shopping trip to one store with vast inventory, like IKEA. That way, you can get everything your child needs—from a student-apartment-friendly bed, like this one, to kitchen essentials—in a single trip.
This strategy pays off in many of ways: You’ll spend less on gas, save time, be less stressed, and it’ll be easier to keep track of your total cost.
