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Now that the whole admissions process is coming to a close, and the hard realities (for some of us) of paying for college are now smacking us in the face, what are we parents prepared to do to keep S or D attending their dream school?

It's practically all I've been able to think about for the past few days. I'll look at some product or service I'm used to getting, and start to ask myself if perhaps I can live without it, or go with something less expensive. I'm seriously thinking about trying to figure out how those "coupon wizards" buy $500 worth of groceries for $27.50. Is that really practical for the average consumer to do without it turning into a full time job?

No more restaurant meals (fewer that the 4 times per year we currently average) and a heck of a lot fewer fast food ones.

No more lattes at Barnes and Noble and a lot fewer book and magazine purchases (Ouch!) Better yet, stay away from the place (much safer that way).

No more vacations to sunny destinations---ooops---never did that anyway...

Nurse the old junker along for another 8 years---8 because S graduates high school the year D graduates college. (I hear spit and chewing gum work miracles.)

Eat a lot less. Loose lots of weight. Need to drop 50 anyway!

Read the Tightwad Gazett. Impliment as many mizerly strategies outlined in it as possible (without going completely nuts).

Count every dime spent on every single day. Make a game of seeing how little I can spend...

I can't think of anything else at the moment, so I thought I'd tap into the collective wisdom of CC's parents forum. There are a wide range of incomes represented here. Some of us don't need to implement draconian measures. But others of us are genuinely scared (that would be me.). So I pose this question to those of you who, like me, are getting very little sleep nowadays. What belt tightening measures are you planning to take in order to pay for college?

By Tropicanabanana (Tropicanabanana) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 02:03 am: Edit

Is any of that really going to make a dent in $160,000?

I know what my parents are doing..they are both asking the Presidents of their companies for scholarships..lots of companies provides the sons/daughters of employees with scholarships.

By Poetsheart (Poetsheart) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 02:47 am: Edit

Our price would be nowhere near $160,000, Tropicanabanana. More like $38,000. But even then, it would be a stretch. D has received a fair financial aid package from her dream school (Bryn Mawr), but the remaining EFC portion will still tax our income considerably. So basically, we are looking at about 9 grand per year out of pocket. Pocket change for some, but not for us.

By Kjofkw (Kjofkw) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 08:23 am: Edit

I feel like I've done the above all my life, saving some for college and retirement. But it is nowhere near enough. Even with merit aid, the colleges want it all and MORE! I'm wondering if they purposely put young adults in the financial aid office. It is hard for them to be sympathetic to our pleas when they probably make half of what most middle income earners make. They are also no where near retirement, so I'm sure they assume $30,000 plus in loans is quite doable, and our saving totally expendable. I've already seen my job prospects reduced by employers who are not interested in hiring a 50 yr. old female professional in my field (illegal? yes...but the truth). It is very scary.
Our "belt-tightening" measure will probably be to sell the house (slightly above average home cost), and buy an even smaller one. We won't need as much room in several years anyway, and I'm tiring of the upkeep.
ON THE OTHER HAND
We know we are fortunate enough to give our children choices most in the world do not have.

By Katwkittens (Katwkittens) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 11:33 am: Edit

Baloney sandwiches AND mac and cheese and Top Ramen.....not any different than when they were really little and we had no money! I (single parent) have 5 kiddos, 20,18,17,16,14, one in the middle of transfering (we moved) and one trying to decide where he will end up, but he knows it will be the one where the family will be the least out of pocket. And no we aren't talking 38K maybe 2 or 3 per year and that would be if the gap continues between the EFC (ours is 0) and what is being offered. No houses to sell here, maybe some clothes or shoes at the next garage sale???
He was accepted into a summer program so he smiles and says he won't be eating up all the sibs food!!! Who wants mac and cheese anyways???
The summer program (residential) will pay his tuition for the summer so he doesn't have to use any of his financial aid award for the coming year, I thought that was very nice of them. His younger brother says that's the only way his older bro will get to eat!!!!! (Both are big football players, argue about who gets how much constantly)
Younger brother has also been accepted to summer programs as well and is still in the interviewing process for another. They were trying to decide by how good the food would be at the various programs, not the quality of the science research being done. BOYS!!! my little toads
I am sure I will miss them at some point!

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 11:38 am: Edit

Congrats on placing all of those kids in summer programs! It is nice to miss them. There were a few I sent off that I did not miss one bit at first. but that all changed. Now I wish that they are all closer to home and I can see them more often. But am aware that those wishes are much preferable to wishing them far, far away.

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 12:02 pm: Edit

We went from a pretty huge salary to 100% commission when some unfortunate circumstances occured. Fortunately we are savers and have our home and cars paid for..but I dont want to dip into our stocks etc. so I decided to really really cut back.

The past few weeks I decided to do some belt tightening. I canceled a subscription to INSTYLE saving $24 (btw you can buy subscriptions on ebay cheap!! got 4 for $12 for one whole year for daughter!)
I called insurance company raised deductible on my home and had them reevaluate the replacement cost even though we get full replacement value anyway..price went from $900 to $543!
I canceled my voice message on telephone $4.50 per month but it adds up!
Other things I do is use the Library all the time.
Our biggest expense is eating out..I love to eat out. But we do it less often
and our phones. But I am doing the best I can with them. And its the lifeline for hubbys work.

By Valpal (Valpal) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 01:09 pm: Edit

Great Angstridden, great ideas! Keep 'em coming everybody. I can use all the help I can get.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 02:06 pm: Edit

A little thing I discovered recently for those who have medical savings accounts. If the college has a special mandatory fee specifically tagged for the school health clinic, you can set that money aside in the account and so avoid paying taxes on it. At #1's school, he has a mandatory fee of $500 that pays for the health center. I can prepay that in my medical savings account and save about $125 in taxes. Unfortunately, #2's school doesn't specify a seperate fee even though they fund a health clinic and all students have access to it through their overall tuition.

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 02:14 pm: Edit

the other thing I do is try to make extra income by selling on ebay..I have made thousands selling "great items" I no longer want. Though I would not try to make a living there..its great to sell your unwanted golf club, china, coins, etc. You get much more than you would at a yard sale usually. I have sold things for other people and taken a commssion also.
I also trade my makeup mistakes at makeupalley.com and I read about what makeup works and what doesnt there..
I spent $45 on a fantastic foot file so I can do my own pedicures easily..its amazing!
I sell used books on Amazon (I specialize in womens beauty and diet and fashion)
I workout at home so I dont have a gym membership.
Mow my own lawn (great exercise)
Buy ink in a refill kit to fill up the cartridges instead of buying cartridges.
oooh I almost forgot..just a minute I will get you a link..

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 02:19 pm: Edit

For shopping online I use a site that pays you a percent of what you buy. I buy from pennys, drugstore.com, sephora, amazon etc and get cash back and no spam..so far I have gotten around $244 back.
I also always look for coupons before i shop online and oftimes there is one.
If I am going to buy a book NEVER pay full price at borders buy from Amazon and get the discount plus free shipping if you order certain amount.

That tightwas gazette is a killer..lol when she made her kids costumes out of dryer lint and recycled her onion bags into scrubbies I just had to laugh.

there is also a magazine out called budget living that gives ideas I got a free subscription cant remember how..

By Easydoesitmom (Easydoesitmom) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 02:22 pm: Edit

Katwkittens : Your kids sound like great kids - blessed with a sense of humor about sharing the food ! My D works at a summer camp all summer so our food budget ( and hot water bill from showers ) will drop too. The library is our main source for rental videos and CDs and magazines . I took the collision coverage off our old Escort and raised the auto deductible . I did the same thing with home insurance and they are at the same company so I get a discount for using the same company for auto & home. We invested in a front - load washer ( less water ) and I use a clothesline for the heavy stuff to dry . I am not renewing any magazine subscriptions .......planning on making postcard Christmas cards & started to cut everyone's hair myself . D has given up Starbucks habit for learning to make it at home & uses a prepaid cell phone & cruises Goodwill for those cool t-shirts & didn't get her driver's license (she'll take the subway/buses to school ) .

By Jenniferpa (Jenniferpa) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 02:32 pm: Edit

I'm with the poster who mentioned libraries: I think they're a great source of free entertainment. Our local library has a huge selection of videos as well as books, so I rarely pay for such rentals. Since DD and I became vegetarian, our food bills have dropped dramatically, especially since meat is something my DD and DS now get less frequently, and in smaller portions. The west eats too much meat anyway. It helps that DD works at a farmers market and can take advantage of specials on veggies. I can't remember when we last had fast food, although money spent on restaurant meals has jumped recently (college travel etc). Mind you, DD and I normally order either one appetizer and one main course, and share, or two appetizers each: I find restaurant portions way too big. I introduced DD to the joys of resale and thrift clothing stores early on - rarely do she or I buy clothes retail. I also have a one trip a week policy for the main grocery store: it doesn't matter how many times a week I go, I always seem to spend the same every time! Why is that? Anyway, if we run out, we do without (we don't run out, except on "luxury" goods).

By Demingy (Demingy) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 02:51 pm: Edit

I just had to share my biggest finds for saving money using various websites (although, as with everything online, just be careful). I can't do the links, but just copy and paste. Hopefully these won't be censored by the mods.

Rebates for shopping- ebates.com (a TON of links to good websites)
Discount websites- overstock.com (I've bought so much from these guys and have been very happy--also saved a ton) and smartbargains.com (ditto)

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 03:30 pm: Edit

I always try to remember the phase "shop your closet" before I buy clothes. Its amazing how much STUFF we have.
In addition I ask the Dr. for samples of any medicines he prescribes (I have lousy insurance)
and keep the mini shampoos soaps etc at hotels..
We stayed at a luxury resort a few years ago and I shipped home my daily amenities they gave me..and it weighed 40 pounds!
My D. won her vocal lessons this year and last so that helped alot!
I keep my nails short and buffed so I dont need manicures.
I also buy when I buy furniture, or whatever the best I can afford and it lasts forever.
I tend to buy classics in everything and they dont date.
I just took a bunch of clothes to the consignment shop and they had no idea they had been in my closet for years because they looked so classic.

By Sopranosmom (Sopranosmom) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 04:23 pm: Edit

Angstridden -- sell your 'classics' on Ebay. I sell whatever and whenever I can there taxfree. Not huge amounts of $ made but goes for all those little hidden expenses that add up in a household! In our area, Goodwill sells all donated clothes/items 1/2 off one day a month -- I go and load up on 'famous labels' (charge to my cc so I defer payment!) and resell on Ebay -- I usually make 500% of what I paid! Speaking of thrift/consigment stores -- both my older kids furnished their apartments with stuff from such places. Other good sites -- especially for books -- half.com and campusi.com (my two oldest got all their textbooks this way -- and resold them after use!). Campusi.com compares online bookstores and includes ebay and half.com as well - a great resource. Someone already mentioned overstock.com -- another great site.

By Garland (Garland) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 04:36 pm: Edit

I cut everyone's hair.

We grow a lot of our own veggies during the summer, and since we eat largely vegetarian, that makes a difference.

My H grinds wheat from wheatberries and makes all our bread.

My kids are cool with castoffs, and anything new is from discount shops.

I *live* at the library.

Repair most things that need it ourselves, and put up with stuff that's in less than perfect condition, rather than automatically replacing.

We eat out sometimes, but almost never buy fast food.

Of course we drive the clunkers, though may have to replace one soon. We try to walk rather than drive whenever possible.

My H brews beer and mead. There're bottles all over the kitchen as I write.

No brand name clothes, no big-ticket consumer items.

Small house, keep it cool, rarely use AC.

These are all small things, but it's a way of life and adds up if its consistent.

By 1moremom (1moremom) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 04:39 pm: Edit

Many credit cards will rebate 1-5% on purchases; it all adds up. (Just be sure you pay it off every month.) And, if you can start skipping a few lattes and restaurant meals early on, you'll have a little more in the bank.

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 12:32 am: Edit

Yes we use cash back credit cards also.
Sopranosmom I sell what can be sold on ebay. Clothes are hard to photograph well and hard to sell on ebay unless you have something good. I sell childrens clothes there in lots but have found adult clothing does not go well unless its special..so I dont bother. Though I have sold special items there.
I have close to 1000 positive feedback and no negs on ebay so I am doing good there!

By Iflyjets (Iflyjets) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 01:14 am: Edit

At some point, I don't see how we...or anyone...can possibly "make-up" almost 4K a month out of our household budget. If H's company declares bankruptcy or he takes a 30%+ pay cut, we're not talking "economizing" to pay for college...but, instead, to even make the mortgage.

All jokes about "kibble" dining aside, at some point there just isn't any room to pull in the belt to the tune of 45K+ a year for college.
Our solution...D decided to attend a lesser known school with full tuition scholarship.

By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 01:53 am: Edit

Sopranosmom and Angstridden: Is it difficult to sell things on ebay? I have not tried that because I am not too great with computers, but I BUY plenty on ebay. I really should be selling as well. I don't know the first thing about digital cameras, scanners, etc. I have over 200 positive feedback for buying so I wouldn't be a newbie in that regard.

Someone I know runs around to our thrift shops here in the Seattle area and buys logo items from Microsoft, Boeing, etc. and then sells them. She was laid off from her job and is now doing that for income!

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 10:19 am: Edit

I think in order to be a successful seller on ebay you have to enjoy it! I really do. I enjoy everything from writing the description to packaging it perfectly.
The key is to describe your item accurately in the heading so buyers can find it.
Once I had a mug..usually I research but this time I didnt ..anyway thank goodness I listed it right.
That mug went from $4 to $96 turns out is was a rare budweiser mug!
I use vendio.com to host my pictures and paypal to collect the $
Its fun! That said I would not try to make a living at it..unless I was selling something like coins its very hard to make a living at it..and they take out huge fees.
Its a lot of work too.
I pretty much flipped into books and specialize in a category that I know really well. I will buy a book for a few dollars and flip it for plenty more. For example I just got one for $20 that I will most like sell for $150. BUT you have to know your books to do that.

By Aparent4 (Aparent4) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 10:24 am: Edit

Have only sold a couple of things, but I buy just about everything but my groceries on Ebay, and s buys a lot of his clothes there. Definitely helps keep the standard of living up and the cost down while we are paying tuition.

By Momstheword (Momstheword) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 10:32 am: Edit

It isn't hard to sell things on ebay. I figured it out and bu-leeve! me, I'm a computer illiterate. Have someone to walk you through selling--or just start keying in as a test run then bail out it before submitting and you might be surprised at how doable it is.
Aside from cost-cutting, revisit the idea of earning extra money on top of your day jobs, if it's at all possible. My H and I took on extra projects related to our fields to help pay for schools and our S's college. Some of you people on this board are amazing writers and could earn $ freelance writing (maybe on college admissions!). Some of you have done well working with your kids and could put those skills to work tutoring. Just some ideas for starters...

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 10:33 am: Edit

Bookiemom, I was going to ask the same thing as that piques my interest too. My hubby has been on my case for years to sell clothing to thrift shops and I have been bad about getting this together but have thought of doing so. I have 17 years worth of very good girls' clothing (two girls). I also have just about all my own clothes since I went to college. Uh, just to mention, we have a huge basement! It seems like an overwhelming task to get it together to sell but I think there is money to be made. In the past, I have gotten pleasure, particularly when the girls were younger, if I found someone with younger kids and I gave a lot away (though that did not put a big dent in the huge amt. I have left.) I also have specialty stuff like horseback riding clothing, things like that, from the myriad of activities my kids have done. I also have every single toy, you name it. Our basement is a store!

I had not used eBay but recently visited it and could not believe what is sold there, including clothing. I would not know where to begin with such a huge amount here. Angstridden mentioned "lots" which I imagine is like putting together a set of girls clothes size 10 or some such (that alone would be many bags worth in my case). I have thought about this as a way to earn a sum of money to put toward college before I read this post. Am curious if anyone wants to shed more light on having dealt with that and how it worked and so on.

Susan

By Sopranosmom (Sopranosmom) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 10:56 am: Edit

Yes, I am an Ebay addict - both a buyer and seller! Like Angstridden I really enjoy it. I started out just selling things rescued from the outgrown pile, cellar, etc., but it has now evolved into an avocation. I make two trips a month to local thrift/consignment stores for their 50% sales and buy the logo, label items I know people will buy - making sure everything is usable and clean. Then my husband gets in on the act and once a week photographs the items with the digital camera and loads the pictures onto the webserver. We have web space with our internet service which is a freebie. You can use an outside vendor or Ebay's picture webhosting service but there is a fee. Then I word-process the listings of each item and finally cut/paste the listings onto Ebay and list. It is lots of fun and I've met some very nice and interesting people. I pretty much stick to clothes and list for myself and others not interested in the legwork (for a consignment fee!). However, I've sold Xmas decorations, books, CDs, games, tools -- you name it, someone out there wants it! My H claims it is the New England yankee coming out -- always looking for a bargain! I see it as natural recycling!!

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 02:01 pm: Edit

I have sold everything from 300 + beer cans to solid gold coins. Once I had a Barbie with a chest that opened to reveal Ken..LOL I looked at ebay and folks were TRYING to sell theirs as pretty Barbie..They werent selling . Usually if something is not selling forget it..but I took a stab at it advertising it as WHAT WAS MATTEL THINKING BIZARRE BARBIE or something like that..I got tons of looks and sold it!
I got the fever so bad I used to grab anything out of a drawer and throw it on ebay.
I dont enjoy selling clothes, but I know others have great success at it. I had the most success with girls clothes selling in lots and YES HORSES ARE BIG! I sold a lot of girls clothes with a title like HORSE LOVER GIRLS VEST +++ sz. 8 or something like that..
I have sold hubbys golf clubs for way more than he would ever dream of getting.
I RARELY SELL MY RARE BOOKS THERE though I get more elsewhere.
Here is a sampling of what I have sold, crystal wine glasses, tons of weight loss products ( I made a killing selling Weight Watchers till WW got upset and stopped it at least for a while) - hypnosis tapes, videos, old catalogs from a company (I had about 30 of these and sold them for around $40 and under EACH!)
used lipsticks! coins, my old cell phones..THE REP AT THE PHONE COMPANY SAID NO ONE WOULD WANT THEM I MADE $69 EACH selling them on ebay,
My little ponies (these are very hot) - MY OLD JACKIE KENNEDY AUCTION CATALOG..and more and more. Once I was scouting on ebay and saw some ornaments for sale..I ran down and yanked two rocking horses from Hallmark off my tree and made about $36 each.
I also sold Longaberger baskets I didnt want. a bubblegum machine, toy record player, real record player, lil tykes houses
A hunting coat for my dad and believe it or not I sold large machetes (I was a bit uncomfortable with that..did it for my dad)
I love watching the prices go up!
I also like to do buy it nows..you have to put on a price that will make someone snap and just buy it instantly.'

I ship very carefully.

I have wrapped things in swimming pool liner, buy my bubble envelopes in mass quantities and save styrofoam peanuts for packing

Nowadays I pretty much only sell books because I ran out of household items to sell and found books easier to manage and find than other items.

By Kjofkw (Kjofkw) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 02:47 pm: Edit

Angstridden:
So out of curiosity...do you feel the profit pays for all the time involved? It's great if you love what you are doing, but I just wonder about the time.

I already spend too much time on CC!

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 03:26 pm: Edit

For ebay..it depends. If you sell small ticket items that bring in little cash no. But take my cell phones. I took a picture. Wrote some text and popped em on ebay. I copied my text for the next one (same type of phone) I made $69 per phone. YES worth it.
Or take a golf club I sold for my hubby $350. Yes
But if you are selling something for $5 and ebay takes a cut and paypal and vendio then no.
ALSO there are a lot of NONPAYING bidders out there.
I also weigh and measure things at my home. I have it worked out so I can figure the postage on many items and my kind mailman will take alot of packages (you are supposed to go to PO for items over a certain weight)
I send big items UPS and have them pick it up at my door.
I think its worth it if you have something of value.
You will rarely get the money at a yardsale that you would on ebay.
But indeed its work. So just sell your bigger priced items.
And its all extra cash.

By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 04:00 pm: Edit

Oh, my goodness, I think I might have to start being an ebay seller instead of just a buyer. Thanks for all the helpful information. I collect antique dolls of certain kinds, and it's a whole world on ebay for each type of doll and related accessories.

If there's anyone on here who collects anything specialized at all, you really should look on ebay. It is just amazing what you can find on there. It's also a useful place to look for gifts for people who collect things.

Soozievt: you really ought to check into selling with that whole basement full of goodies. This could really help you out with tuition costs. You mentioned the term "lot" for a group of related items. That is from the antiques/auction world, such as "lot of antique lace" or something like that. You live in an antiques mecca there, and there are a lot of sellers I see on ebay from upstate NY and especially Maine. They have great antiques compared to my region of the country (NW).

I have had mainly wonderful results with the people I buy from on ebay. Many are very kind in small ways. Susan, you will like this story, since your daughters are also in theatre. I was doing costumes last spring for Bye Bye Birdie and I needed gloves and hats for some of the costumes. I got a huge "lot" of vintage gloves for $1 per pair and took them in and passed them out to the girls to wear. I also got two great vintage hats for the girl playing the mother to wear, and the lovely lady selling them paid for quicker shipping herself to be sure we got the hats in time for the play's photo session. She said to consider it a donation to our theatre program!

This woman I know who is selling the Boeing and Microsoft logo items on ebay says she is averaging $1,000 per month selling on ebay!

By Easydoesitmom (Easydoesitmom) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 06:56 pm: Edit

Not to get off the ebay track but Jenniferpa , how did your DD find UNC Asheville ??? Did she decide to go with Goucher ? SUNY Fredonia ? We were at Fredonia last week . The town is a little quiet but I was very surprised how many students were there on spring break .

By Jenniferpa (Jenniferpa) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 07:15 pm: Edit

Easydoesitmom: no, Goucher lost out when she realised that she would be hard pressed to complete one major in 4 years, let alone 2 which she wants to do. She's currently weighing UNC Asheville and SUNY. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. The main disdvantages of Fredonia is the tiny town and the weather! UNC's music program isn't quite as comprehensive and it's not that easy to get to. April 30th will be decision date I'm sure, although she's going up to Fredonia next week to have another look.

Jennifer

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 07:25 pm: Edit

Bookiemom...you are right...I need to check it out but I can't imagine doing CC AND ebay....even more online time! LOL! I do think I could earn a tidy sum to put toward tuition which is surely an issue with two girls going off to college. I loved your story about the costumes for Bye Bye Birdie. I just have never looked on eBay for anything and it seems like a resource to be tapped for many things! By the way, I think BBB is a fun show. What role was your D? My younger D was in that when she was ten and played Rose so I have fond memories of it.

I have only looked at EBay once and actually it was last month. We had gotten tickets (the regular way) for my oldest to see Movin Out in Boston (which is over three hours away from where we live) cause she has been dying to see it and my younger one and I had seen it last year on Broadway. Anyway, as the date got closer for the show, my daughter found out she had gotten into Eastern Championships for high school ski racing, a goal she has had throughout high school and she was so excited to make it til she found out it was the same weekend as the one we had the show tickets in Boston. She knew how expensive those tickets were, so it was not like we would skip going. It was a huge dilemma and I felt badly cause here she made her dream and what to do, ya know? So, I thought of eBay, though had no idea what I was doing. But I figured it out and tried to sell them, giving ourselves three days cause I had to committ to the hotel for the big ski race weekend if she were going. I could not believe it but in less than three days, I got the bidding up to the $200 I had paid for the tickets. Then by sheer coincidence that is rather odd, but my other D came home from school that day telling me how a really good friend in her cast had tix for Movin Out in Boston that he could not use cause of a required all day rehearsal for the school production they were in and I would never have known anyone in my area would have tix to the same show in a city far far from here, but I called them up (I know his mom) and the chance that this ever would happen was slim but we switched tix and it worked for her and her son to see the show when we could not go and for us to take her tix to see it when they could not go. This was within hours of my having to accept the bid on eBay. I had to remove the tix for sale and I felt badly but I emailed the top bidder about it and also posted how they were no longer available cause my conflict with the date of the tix no longer existed (which was true). So, I never finished the deal there but we were all taken by the way we were able to sell them for full price (who knows, it was going higher even!). So, if I ever get my act together, maybe I can see about the entire wardrobes for two girls and all the paraphenalia they have from growing up. It's really nice stuff and somebody should have it who would use it (and I surely could use the money).

You are right that we have a lot of antique shops in our neck of the woods. Also garage and yard sales and flea markets are popular. I have never ran a yard sale but that would be some undertaking. If I ever moved, help me! We have a walk out basement the size of our house so it is a bit of a store down there! I am amazed at what Angstridden has sold.
Susan

By Easydoesitmom (Easydoesitmom) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 08:15 pm: Edit

Good Luck in making the comparison . I wanted to let you know that a Greyhound bus comes right to the Fredonia campus everyday - therefore , making connections to Erie , PA & Cleveland as well as Buffalo , NY & Toronto . The campus was also very freindly - people saying hello as you walk by , like a small town . I do agree that , for students , the surrounding mall & plaza looked a little quiet which surprised us for a college town .

By Easydoesitmom (Easydoesitmom) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 08:34 pm: Edit

Off the ebay track again : To Jenniferpa ( and also Jamimom's theatre -interest S ), although they are a little archaic, did you see the reviews of SUNY Fredonia ( esp. the one about Theatre program ) in Epinions ? Look at Epinion web site , under "education " - write Fredonia in search field . But there are those long winters to contend with there ..........

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 08:34 pm: Edit

Ebay sent me a community service award once..(for answering questions on ebay) it included several items..I sold the bumpersticker on ebay!
GUESS WHO OWNS EBAY STOCK. When I saw how much I loved it we bought stock and it has since split and we have double shares. Its a winner.
You can learn alot at the board over there. I would learn look and see what items folks were looking for and then see if I had them.
I even sold a huge pool table through ebay and a vaccum cleaner!

By Momof2inca (Momof2inca) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 08:41 pm: Edit

This thread is great.

Does anyone have recommendations for credit cards that accrue airline miles? Our S, a junior, is looking at going to a college out of state and we'll be needing to buy tickets over the next year (and then over the next 4 years). Anyone researched this for the best deal?

We have excellent credit and pay it off each month... just would like to start earning miles when we buy things like gasoline, clothing, etc...

By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 08:52 pm: Edit

Angstridden: you are an amazing ebayer! If I ever start selling I will keep you in mind as a CC consultant.

Soozievt: My D was Rose in Bye Bye Birdie as well! It was her senior musical and a great role for her. I got to help a lot with costumes and sets and I really miss it this year. I read the Musical Theatre thread regularly (that's how I found CC) so I have followed your D's story.

You must have lots of skis and ski boots and dance shoes. I'm sure you could sell those on ebay.

Sorry to keep turning this thread over to ebay, but it's a fascinating part of my life! And you are right, Susan, ebay plus CC does take up a lot of time. Even though my D has already started college, I still enjoy reading CC, learning more about colleges and admissions, and learning about the kids on CC.

By Worried1 (Worried1) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 09:08 pm: Edit

I would do a little research before choosing airline miles over cash back from a credit card; I've read more than once that you're better off with the cash (especially when you consider the blackout periods).

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 09:14 pm: Edit

Bookiemom, funny coincidence that your D also played Rose! My feeling is both of our girls must be similar voice types or actress types!

You are right that we have many skis and boots. My garage looks like a ski shop. Even though we have a TON of ski equipment at our house, that is the one thing I HAVE sold in the past. In our local elem. school, each year they hold one of the most well known ski and skate sales in the northeast as a fundraiser for our PTO. I have sold some stuff there in the past. But I still have a lot left! And yep, I have LOTS of dance paraphenalia. Once I made up a long list of dance stuff and posted it at our dance studio but had few takers surprisingly. I have all the equipment and clothing for horseback riding which my girls did when younger. Add figure skating, soccer, you got the idea! Anybody need a school project??? Got it! LOL

Actually my hubby used someone else (cause he did not have time) to sell for him on eBay an ENORMOUS comic book collection that was entirely catalogued that he collected growing up (filled a wall unit in about a dozen cartons). He sold them to earn money toward an expensive guitar he wanted. That is the only experience we have had in this regard.

Bookiemom, forgive me but I forget where your daughter goes to college! Did she get to do some shows this year? My daughter JUST had her show last weekend. Next for her are a lot of dance performances coming up. Next musical will not be til summer when she goes away to theater camp. Actually she is in Rome this very minute (not performing!!).

Soozie

By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 09:51 pm: Edit

Soozie, My D is at University of Northern Colorado as a theatre major. She was just in her first play there, Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge, and it was a big honor to be cast as a freshman. She is one of the ones who didn't get accepted into a musical theatre program (I didn't know back then how competitive that whole scene is), but regular theatre is working out well for her. She is also hoping to double major in biology and is very interested in that as well. She isn't dancing any more but may still take voice this summer from her old voice teacher when she is home for the summer.

Re basements full of stuff: you wouldn't believe all the costume items, props, and stage set pieces I have created from all the stuff I have stashed away!

Momof2inca: I have an Alaska Airlines VISA card and it is working out well for us. My D always flies Alaska between Colorado and Seattle. I put everything on that card now, pretty much all purchases over $20 and then pay it all off each month. For spring semester I even put D's tuition and room and board on there! Might as well get some benefit from laying out those funds. After you know where your child is going, you can see if the best airline for your situation offers a credit card with mileage points.

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 10:29 pm: Edit

Bookiemom, sounds like your D is thriving at Northern Colorado! Impressive that she got cast as a freshman and it is great that she is having performance opportunities. Funny, but yesterday at Smith on a tour of the theater department, a student was double majoring in theater and biology too. I know someone in musical theater at Tisch at NYU, who also is majoring in chemistry! Well, the musical theater college program stuff is on the back burner this week for me cause that daughter is on a trip to Italy and Greece and the older one is making final returns to open houses at colleges cause she has not figured out yet where she is going to enroll and the hourglass sands are pouring as I type!

Susan

By Dolce (Dolce) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 10:44 pm: Edit

A fews years ago my son (about 13-14 at the time) did really well buying and reselling on ebay. I could never quite figure out how he could buy something at a low price on ebay, then turn around and sell it at a high price, but he did it all the time. He dealt in athletic shoes, especially Nikes, and most of these were used. Did you know some people collect athletic shoes (not for wearing, for displaying!).
His best deal was a pair of used Nikes that had been autographed by Michael Jordan, (came with some kind of certificate of authenticity regarding the autograph); he paid $150 for them and resold them for $600! He often made a couple hundred dollars profit on a pair of shoes!
This kid is heading off to college this fall as a business major with a full-tuition scholarship. I think he'll do well in business!

By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 11:18 pm: Edit

Susan: could you email me? My email info is in my profile. I posted on the Musical Theatre thread to you about Michigan for your younger D--I went to grad school there. Our D's have so much in common--I'd love to be able to email you on MT concerns.

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 11:35 pm: Edit

Bookiemom, sure! My mind is on hold on that one's college process this week but I would love to be in contact with you.

Actually while my week feels nutty with three college trips in it, I WAS to have had two ADDITIONAL ones but with my other kid on the last night of the vacation week. We were to have gone to Boston (my third MA trip in about ten days!) for appointments at Emerson College and Boston Conservatory. This was the only date I could take her cause she is away on school break now and has too many performances and rehearsals to do with dance in the next few weeks and then college semesters end. She goes away in summer. Well, the day before she left for Europe, and the day before I left for Smith Open House with the older one, we found out that the teacher in charge of the Italy/Greece trip made a mistake as to the day the trip was returning home and they now are getting back a day later than we had been told. Thus, she will not be back for our trip to Boston for those two college visits! This is a big bummer. I have to call the schools to cancel, plus the overnight she had with a girl she knows in theater at Emerson. This was such a last minute thing to happen. Their plane flies in from Greece into NYC and then they take a bus back to VT. We thought of my driving six hours to NYC to get her at the airport and then to drive to Boston that same night but that is CRAZY for me to do in one day! So, we have to cancel which means pretty much all her college visits will now be next fall. She only has done NYU/Tisch so far. She wants to get these in cause she is contemplating applying ED to NYU-Tisch but realizes she should check some others out first to be sure. As it is, I guess we will have to visit a few faves on the list in Sept. before deciding to do ED and then leave the rest for Oct. and Nov. I think UMich is one of the ones higher on the list. It will be a very full fall. I wish I did not feel so rushed on it but I had no idea she was going to apply to college this soon. I just need to square the first kid away on this process. It is too bad the second daughter did not get to do these visits this spring. I might not have sent her to Europe on the school trip over the break if I thought we needed to look at colleges. Then again, it might have been even nuttier cause now I have the open houses with the first child over this spring break too. Anyway, two less college visits now for me in the next ten days. I can concentrate on just one's visits for now. But anything you can share about MT, I am all ears!
Susan

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 12:24 am: Edit

Bookiemom, I went to email you and have tried it twice at the address in your profile and the mail keeps coming back as not being able to go to that address. I am not sure what I am doing wrong.
Susan

By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 01:14 am: Edit

Soozievt: I just tried to email you and it didn't come back, so maybe that will work.
Bookiemom

By Bxian (Bxian) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 10:41 am: Edit

On credit cards-we have a Hilton Honors Amex (no annual fee). You accumulate points for hotel stays. We got 2 rooms in a nice hotel in Miami for free using Hilton points prior to our cruise last summer. I have been hoarding the points so that (maybe) we can take vacations at some point during D's and son's college days (oldest starts next year-$35,000 a year and no financial aid-it is going to be tough). I have signed up for every hotel frequent stay program that I can over the years. I have enough Marriott points (via every other year work conferences and Mypoints) for 3 or 4 nights at a nice hotel. I would also love to hear about airline programs. We have enough in USAIR for 4 domestic or 3 caribbean flights but I am afraid they won't be around much longer.
My husband loves books on CD and tape-he buys and sells them on Ebay so his net cost is quite low. He also sells other stuff every couple of months, netting $500-600 per year that we would not otherwise have.
I actually bought more work attire this year knowing that my spending next year will be very limited. My car has 109,000 miles on it and I plan on it lasting to 180,000 or more. I talked my husband into buying a new car this year rather than buying out his car lease on the theory that the new car will last the 4 years that D is in school. I have already cut back on food purchases-we have a large pantry and 2 fully stocked freezers-I am going to be creative and try to use up ingredients that I have on hand. I signed up for Upromise-so far I only have $110 but every little bit helps!
We are going to take out loans now and try to avoid using our savings until 2 years from now (when both kids are in school). I have also started using the library more.
I am trying to have perspective. Our family has had a good life over the past few years, unlike many others. We live in an affluent community. We've had vacations every year, ample food (as my waistline will attest) and plenty of new clothing. I am going to try to appeciate what we have and live more simply.

By Songman (Songman) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 11:06 am: Edit

college stuff... I need Valium....Our son and we were both naive to the college scene and did not realize the strong effect that early decision can have on admissions..While we knew that Middlebury and Dartmouth were real stretches for him ,he did not get into Tufts either although his friends did. (all early decisions).

He got into Skidmore,Kenyon (Ohio- Charlie UMASS/Amherst (honors program). Only Wheaton,MA (Norton, MA) offered him a scholarship $8,000 a year off tuition. Skidmore not a penny and Kenyon a mere pittance. I guess they feel we are wealthy? or his stats were not good enough?

He likes Kenyon and it is made for him.Tailor made except the Ohio in the middle of the sticks scares him....Skidmore(saratoga, NY) he liked also except they are $42,000 a year(they all are $40-42,000 except UMASS/Amherst $15,000 a year....much less less than the private high school he has attended for the last four years.can u believe it? He does not want to be in debt when he gets out of school.All that talk from Dad is working against us parents now I guess (the frugal budgeting be smart with money talks)......HA! Wheaton,MA he will visit on Friday (last school visit yeah!), he likes Wheaton , but worries that the town is boring and the school is too small....and wonders if they have the rep and skill for creative writing like Skidmore and especially Kenyon does....A guy at work here who went to Middlebury) says go into hock for Kenyon.......another employee here who graduated from Harvard) is sending his son to a third tier private college. He would like his son to grow up and mature and doesn't want to waste money.....Meanwhile my son keeps winning awards for creative writing at his school for work that the teachers are forcing him to submit or they are submitting without his permission. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! talent he has,motivation he does not!

Umass/Amherst was absolutely beautiful and the five college consortium (Amherst College,Smith,Hampshire,Mt Holyoke) is attractive because he can take courses at the other schools for no extra cost!. The town is awesome.I wish I went there to college! And they rolled out the carpet for him special dorms for honors, special classes and prof's and they might give him a scholarship off the $15,000 bill......what the heck do we do? We struggled to get to this point in life so taking any economic steps backwards is emotionally disturbing. and I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT GIVING UP LATTE"S and the three vacations a year. We have never gone on a family vacation that wasn't a freebie by staying at a friends house etc.... We can afford about $20,000 a year of education barring eating ramen soup every night. But $42,000 is way beyond my earning power or my wife's capacity to earn. I have suggested a year at UMASS/Amherst. That he grow up and transfer to Skidmore or Kenyon. Yet we are not sure that the transfer strategy would not backfire? But the private school name game is killing us. What do I mean? It is frowned upon to go to a state school out of his high school as they all go to private colleges....they are not PAYING THE Bills though, we are! Help! Any advice this board can provide would be appreciated. Sometimes anonymous advice is the best slap in the face we could get....so beat us up if you will, but please provide advice!

By Rhonda63 (Rhonda63) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 11:07 am: Edit

As a pennypincher by nature, I love this thread.

We are paying full fare for our D (at Brown), and I can make a couple of suggestions. We are both well-paid professionals and she is our only child, so it's definitely doable, but very few people can just shell out $160K and not notice it (and we're not among them!!).

Definitely take your own lunch to work. My briefcase is filled with food every day, plus my thermos of coffee (no expensive lattes for me!). It's amazing to me the amount you can spend every day if you buy lunch and coffee at work.

I have found a very good used clothing store near us (I don't call it a thrift store because the proprieters are very choosy about clothes they will take) and for example yesterday I realized everything I was wearing (skirt, blouse, jacket) came from there for a total of about $20! I also sell clothes there occasionally.

My D flies home from Providence on Southwest, and I make sure to check their sales to get the $34 fares whenever possible. SW allows you to cancel and change flights with NO PENALTY for credit you can use later, so the cost of her travel has been very cheap.

We also have only one car -- both our employers pay for public transportation, which we both use every day (so zero commuting cost). Our car is 15 years old and has 150K miles on it. No SUV for us!

That's about it -- we did take a week trip to Europe this year, but it was in January (when D was able to come with us) so we got excellent off-season rates on airline, hotel, etc.

Can't think of any other good tips right now. Oh yes, one more -- I NEVER buy books at Borders or B and N -- go to used book sales, most libraries have them, and often private schools do them as fundraisers. Also, there is the LIBRARY of course!

By 1moremom (1moremom) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 12:11 pm: Edit

Bxian, can I ask you a question? I am not being judgemental or critical; I am really trying to understand my sister, who spends money much as you do. If I asked her, she would take it as criticism. How could you spend money on a cruise, vacations, and "plenty of new clothing"?, knowing that college was coming and you didn't have the savings to pay for it? For me, it has been like a monster looming, all the more so because we have no way of knowing where our boys will end up, how high tuitions will have risen, and what, if any, aid might come their way.

By Bxian (Bxian) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 11:08 pm: Edit

1moremom-Our most important rule is "pay yourself first." We put more than 15% of our pre-tax income into college and retirement savings. We also carry no credit card debt. Aside from our mortgage, our only debt is a home equity line of credit for a car we had to buy unexpectedly, which we are paying off aggressively. For a very long time, we did not spend a lot on the "extras." In fact, one of my buddies used to call me the "queen of delayed gratification." I guess my H and I got to a point where we finally started feeling as though we wanted to enjoy some of the money we earned now rather than later (or never). Both children have college savings accounts. My feeling is that it was not wrong to enjoy some of our earnings now rather than saving all of our available funds so long as the savings goal came first. The point I was trying to make in my post is that we have been very fortunate to have some disposable income for discretionary purchases such as meals out and vacations. It is something that I appreciate-and something that I know will change during the college years.

By 1moremom (1moremom) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 07:48 am: Edit

Bxian, I certainly respect your choices. And, I'm sure we missed out on some good times because of my worry over college costs. Hopefully we'll be able to make up for them at the other end. Good luck in the future as you revert back for a little more of "the simple life".

By Frazzled_One (Frazzled_One) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 08:31 am: Edit

One other factor to consider in figuring out how the heck to pay that EFC (or more) is the money you WON'T be spending when your kid is no longer at home. It isn't just the food or additional utility expenses - it's stuff like dance lessons, music lessons, sports equipment, other EC expenses, additional gas to get kids back and forth, prospective college visits, testing expenses, etc. When dd17 goes to college in 2005 (sniff), we won't be spending about $4k/year on dance and music expenses, and that is going to make a considerable difference.

Before bidding an 8-year (or longer) goodbye to vacations - remember that it's also possible to make a brief vacation out of bringing kids back and forth to school. By shopping around on priceline or something similar, you can save a bundle on hotel rooms. Our dd20 goes to school near a tourist destination, and we've enjoyed spending an occasional extra day when we drop off/pick up. It's not Europe or the Caribbean, but it's still a break from the routine and we look forward to it!

By 1moremom (1moremom) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 08:53 am: Edit

And then there's the monthly contribution to the college fund which will instead go straight to the college. Dare I fantasize about the day we won't be sending money to either one?

By Sokkermom (Sokkermom) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 08:58 am: Edit

We figured that we will save about $600/month in our grocery bill by S not eating at home once he goes to college. That will help with the college bills!!

By Garland (Garland) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 10:48 am: Edit

Same for us, Sok. I look at the shopping cart, and half the food in it is stuff only he eats. (well, we probably don't spend 600 total, but what we do pay will halve or more.)

Also, our water bill halves when D is at school, so we hope similar savings when S goes (though it's looking like D will me moving back home for at least a while--big mixed feelings there!)

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 11:15 am: Edit

1moremom, I have mentioned several times that it is ironic that families who spend their income on vacations, going out, wardrobes, furniture, entertainment, etc have it a bit easier when the time comes to ante up for college. You can tighten that belt more easily than money spent on a house in a good neighborhood with high taxes, loans taken out, nice new car leases, private schools, music programs, enrichment for the other kids, etc. Those expenditures are painful to cut for many reasons. You cannot quickly or easily sell your house and get out.It takes a while to get back that money. If there are other children in the family, there is the equity decision to make. If the first child got into a great college, with all of the enrichment given to him, shouldn't the other kids get the same benefit? To cut the private music lessons or the hockey from the younger kid to pay for the college of the older one who got all of those benefits is not an easy decision to make, and most of us would not want to do this. Also pulling kids out of their schools if they are doing well and enjoying it is a major disruption of family life and it makes no sense to do it to pay for #1 Son or Daughter's college.Much easier to start shopping for clothes at good will and foregoing Saturday night out. Breaking a lease on a couple of cars can cost you before you make any money on it, cost you alot. So blowing a big income before the kid goes off to college is not such a terrible thing as long as you have that income to blow. Now if you are borrowing that play money , that is a whole different story.

By 1moremom (1moremom) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 11:52 am: Edit

I still believe that if you have to borrow the money later, you didn't really have it to blow in the first place. But God knows everyone handles their finances differently.

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 11:55 am: Edit

You are absolutely right, 1moremom. But a 4% Plus loan over ten years that can be consolidated currently at even less with a regular payment record is a heck of alot better than some of the credit card balances and car payments I have seen, not to mention the payments on a house in a desirable location.

By 1moremom (1moremom) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 12:09 pm: Edit

All true. I suppose the need for instant gratification and other fiscal irresponsibility that we see so much of makes me a little irate (especially when it ends up costing someone's kids).

By Kissy (Kissy) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 09:39 am: Edit

Speaking of ebay, here's an example of someone turning a huge profit with a little creativity.
Have a laugh!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4146756343#ebayphotohosting