Whether you’re sad the kiddies are heading back to campus, or you’ve got brew on ice (mostly the latter?), either way they’re going to head off. The following ideas can help you save over $500 dollars an year and still help the environment!!
1. Britta filtration system or something similar—Have you seen some of the brown sludge that comes out of the faucets on some campuses? Just nasty. The only other alternative? Bottled water? But let’s say that your kid drinks two bottles a day (not nearly enough, by the way) at a buck each, and he’s in school for nine months (on average). That’s 270 bottles a year….AND $270 dollars! $270! On something that you already pay for! And if they complain, there is always healthier water in the cafeteria!
2. Water bottle—A necessary item when you buy the filtration system. This $12 dollar item (if she says she needs a fancy one with cool designs) will allow her to get the eight cups a day, keep her awake (hydrated individuals are more alert and healthy), and giver her something to play with during physics when the teacher is droning on and on.
3. Energy-saving light bulbs—Late night cram sessions require lots of light. Why spend money on nine light bulbs a year when one energy-saving bulb will last longer and cost you and your kid less in the long run?
4. Canvas bag—This will come in handy when he goes to the school store, either for books or groceries. This will reduce Junior’s waste, because he won’t bring the items home and trash the paper/plastic bags. And, now there are great options for something he’d actually want to be seen in public with. I mean, you could torture him and go to extremes, with and put puppies and hearts on it, but the point is for him to use it!
5. Notebooks of recycled paper—Really, this is just an obvious one. No need to go into detail here!
6. Timer for the house lights—Especially if it’s your daughter at school, you don’t want her coming home to a dark house. It’s just not safe. But leaving the lights on all day (because she’s a rock star and taking 5 classes a day and working) wastes electricity and sends the energy bill skyrocketing! Instead invest the few bucks in a light timer. She’ll save money. You’ll feel comforted that she’s not walking into a pitch black house!
7. A bike—If Junior doesn’t have a bike already, now is the perfect time to set him up. For large campuses, like Penn State, getting from one class to another can be a real hassle. This is especially true when the university limits how many cars can be on campus. By using this alternate mode of transportation, you save gas money, parking fees, and his stress of finding a spot! (Oh and don’t want to spend a fortune? Check out the many police auctions that have very nice bikes for really inexpensive prices!!)
8. A basic dish set—Maybe she’ll wash it, maybe she won’t. But giving your student a couple bowls, plates, and utensils will come in handy when she wants to make a sandwich or heat up takeout (microwaving those Styrofoam containers releases all those plastic chemicals!). This is a better alternative to plasticware, as she won’t be loading up the landfills, and you won’t be shelling out $20 bucks a month. You easily save $240!! Pretty much cost of one textbook!
9. Surge protector—Not so much about saving energy as saving the life of his computer, though not an issue on a global scale, still important, nonetheless.
10. Clothes drying rack—This especially works well if your kid is living off campus and has his/her own washer and dryer (yes a miracle in the college scene but not unheard of). Energy bill amounts will lessen. Good for your wallet. Good for the environment!
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