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Spending four years of college in style. In addition to getting an education, you'll wear the latest fashions, decorate your dorm room as though it will be featured in a fashion magazine, and meet your friends at the trendiest coffee shops to drink hot lattes and do homework.

Between your share of tuition, books, and necessary living expenses, you'll be wearing the same old clothes you had in high school and drinking watered-down instant coffee from the dining hall. You are, in short, a poor college student.

For many college students -- especially those faced with the responsibility of financing all or part of their education -- limited funds can get in the way of  

College life

  according to the high style they dream about. Most teens away from home for the first time are also confronted with first-time budgets. Of course, applying for and obtaining a credit card (or two) can be an easy out, but we all know how that story ends.
Fortunately, you don't have to splurge or dive into debt to live life in style on campus. This handy guide will show you how to make the most out of your dwindling financial supply.

Dressing on the Cheap
One of the first things many dormmates do - after learning each other's names, of course - is check out each other's closets. And, for good reason. While at first the thought of sharing clothes may seem a little icky, especially if you've never had a sibling, having a friend who wears the same size can be a big payoff: Your wardrobe instantly doubles (or triples or quadruples!). You can also set up a clothing donation box in your dorm's common area. You may not have much use for that old sweatshirt your ex gave you when you were still together, but your roommate may think it's perfect for early morning runs. Similarly, the funky T-shirt your roommate bought and wore once before deciding it just wasn't her style may find a new, permanent home in your closet.

When you shop for clothes, hit the sale racks, preferably with a friend. Many retailers such as Old Navy, A�ropostale, and American Eagle Outfitters offer a price break if you purchase more than one of the same item. "I buy my clothes at Nordstrom Rack and Marshalls," says Andrea Weathers, a recent California State University - Fresno (Fresno, CA) graduate. "They have designer brands at more reasonable prices than you would pay in a department store."

The Library Advantage
When you aren't in class, studying, or working, you may just want to curl up with a good book or DVD. Before you head out to the big chain bookstore for books and biscotti, swing by your campus library, or see if you can sign up for a library card at a community branch. Many local libraries have multimedia rooms where you can check out CDs, DVDs, videocassettes, even computer software - for free. They also have the latest bestsellers and magazines. Just remember to return them on time to avoid fines.

Stylish Digs
Decorating your dorm room can be tricky. You don't want to spend a fortune on bedding and accessories when decorating your dorm room, but you don't want to live in a room with bare walls and no personality, either.

Shop sensibly and compare prices whenpurchasing for your dorm room. That was what Joey Stuart, a student at Fresno city college (Fresno, CA), did when looking for sheets and a comforter for his bed. A designer bedding ensemble (for a twin bed, the size most colleges provide) that includes sheets, throw pillows, and a comforter, can retail for - no joke - between $250 and $500 at most major department stores. A similar set can be had at Target or Wal-Mart for usually a third of the price.

Some students even find that less is more. A funky blanket purchased cheaply on your last vacation to Mexico or a homemade quilt from grandma will help you add your own unique style and save cash.

When venturing beyond bedding, don't buy frames for each and every picture you'll display to remind you of friends and family. Instead, buy a bulletin board and arrange your photos in a collage. Confer with your roommate before moving in to find out what you have and what you need so you don't end up with duplicates of big-ticket items such as refrigerators and microwaves. Sometimes these can be rented from your school, but if the rental cost for multiple years is more than the cost of buying, get your own. You can always sell it and make some money back after you graduate.

Money-Saving Chats
Since colleges either block long distance phone calls or send the bill to you, many students opt for a reasonable cell phone plan or stock up on phone cards. Look for wireless plans that offer free long distance, especially if you know you'll be making lots of calls back home Some phone cards boast rates of less than six cents per minute, and are often more affordable than your school's long distance provider. But be sure to ask yourself "Do I really need cool ring tones, Internet access, and the built-in camera?" Those extras equal extra dollars you could be spending elsewhere.

Dining Out (Or In)
Peer pressure gets the best of all of us, especially when it comes to food. You may have a hot night planned at the dining hall (after all, you bought that prepaid meal card at the beginning of the semester) when your friends announce they're ordering a pizza or making a Taco Bell run. It's tempting to join them.

Stop! Don't go broke over food, especially if you've paid for your meals in advance. While it's certainly all right to chip in for the occasional celebration -- your football team's big win or the season finale of The Apprentice viewing party - don't go all out every night. You'll be saving money and calories. Similarly, while it's nice to study at Starbucks for a change of scenery, if you have to have your caffeine fix every day, it's much cheaper to buy your own instant, flavored coffee or tea bags and make it yourself in the microwave. "Doing coffee is a big thing," says Nina, "but everything gets kind of expensive." Consider yourself warned!

The Essentials
Toothpaste, shampoo, razors... they may seem insignificant, but these expenses add up. And if you value your hygiene (not to mention your social life), you'll need to allocate room in your budget for these everyday essentials.

Shop the sales at drug or discount stores for these items. "Target, Target, Target," says Joey. He shops at the discount retailer for everything from deodorant and dental floss to school supplies and sneakers. Don't overlook the dollar store, either -- you never know when they'll have just what you're looking for.

Another way to save on items is to clip coupons. Sure, it sounds like something Mom might do, but a few coupons at a dollar off per item can add up to big savings. Combine them with sales for even more bang for your buck. If your parents belong to a wholesale club, stock up on items like shampoo, razors, and contact lens solution before you head off to school. Buying in bulk is often cheaper than buying the same item at the drugstore every few weeks.

Now that you have some idea of how to get started, no doubt you'll think of even more creative ways to stretch your dollars. You might even find yourself using these money-saving strategies post-college, when student loan repayments, rent for your own place, and a multitude of other real-world obligations make their appearance.



Jackie A. Bondanza is a former writer for The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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