Kat’s Money Corner: Deck out a dorm room -- with restraint
Deck out a dorm room – with restraint
Kat Hnatyshyn
If you’re sending a teenager off to college for the first time, it only takes a few minutes on Pinterest to realize how difficult it is to resist going overboard. You want your child to feel at home in their new space, but you also want to determine which items are really necessary. With some self-control, planning and research, you can get all of the necessities, as well as a few aesthetic touches.
Take Inventory
If you know who the roommates will be, get in touch with them and split up any big purchases. There’s no need, let alone space, for two fridges, two microwaves, two couches, and so on. You’ll also want to take inventory of what furniture the school has already provided – you may have all your bookshelf needs taken care of, for instance.
It’s also a good idea to find out what items are not allowed in the dorms. Schools have specific rules on electrical appliances like hot plates, so save yourself the hassle by knowing what’s banned beforehand.
Make a List
Make a master list of everything you’ll really need to find or buy. Most dorms provide the basics of a bed and mattress, desk and chair, and some closet space with drawers. Look for items like furniture cubes that do double duty as storage pods and an extra place to sit. Just ensure your plan leaves enough room to move around.
Hit the Stores … Or Don’t
When it’s time to buy, hit resale shops and garage sales. Buying anything new might not make much sense for the college lifestyle. This stuff is going to get studied on, slept on, spilled on. Remind your child that vintage is in.
Or don’t buy at all – look in your basement or garage for unused items that can be salvaged with a little cleaning or repainting. If you’ve got a crafty kid, encourage creative recycling for items like curtains and décor. Using materials from your house can help when it comes to homesickness, too.
If you start to unpack and realize you’ve forgotten something basic like a comforter or laundry basket, leave your child with some cash or gift cards and permission to figure it out. A shopping trip or two can ease those first lonely nights before classes start and even create a bonding experience with new roomies.
Don’t be surprised if your kid’s first trip home ends with a trunk stuffed full of keepsakes. For many college students, it turns out that after a few months, they do want that teddy bear or bowling trophy after all.
Kat's Money Corner is posted on Dollars & Sense every Tuesday. Kat Hnatyshyn, when not blogging or caring for her little ones, is a manager with CommunityAmerica Credit Union. For more financial chatter, click http://twitter.com/savinmavens or visit http://communityamerica.com.
This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Kat’s Money Corner: Deck out a dorm room -- with restraint."