<p>I’m not very good at using this website so I’m re-posting a question I’ve seen in the past but cannot find. Any money saving thoughts or tips on affording prep school? I remember the one about driving a 13-year-old car (My car is only 9-years-old.), and on the unusual occasions I buy coffee it’s McDonald’s not Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. Thanks! *</p>
<p>*My slightly rusted beater is a nice contrast to the Mercedes SUV G-class SUV’s I’ve seen at the kids’ school recently. If I not mistaken, base price is $100,000.</p>
<p>Driving an old car, along with giving up vacations, restaurants and other luxuries are part of our frugality plan. It is hard to do when there is so much ostentatious wealth around. It’s nice to know that there are others who put education first and are willing to sacrifice for it. The luxury of making brand name distinctions, as listed in the other related thread, are a luxury that many on this board have never, and will never, question. </p>
<p>So no brilliant ideas from me, just gratitude that you posted and that there are others, like us, willing to claim their seat at this very privileged table.</p>
<p>It’s hard, isn’t it, when you already do all the frugal stuff–used car, used clothes, small house, no fancy vacations, rare eating out… Prep school aside, kids’ stuff just gets more expensive as they get older. At some point you just run out of corners to cut… </p>
<p>You’re probably already doing this, but one place I save money is by avoiding cell phone plans. Everyone in the house old enough to have one has a different prepaid plan. It took a bit of research to figure out the best plan for everyone since we all use our plans differently–but currently I’d estimate that we pay about $70/month for 4 cell phones (taxes and fees included), and everyone gets what they need (if not what they want…see iphone discussion on the other thread…:|). And the kids pay for part of that and always buy their own phones. If I didn’t have a kid at bs, I’d probably be paying half that…and if I didn’t live in the boondocks where the phone company has a monopoly on wireless service, I’d cut out my land line and just go to cell phone. </p>
<p>No cable/satellite t.v. is another way to save money–but, again, one of those things we’ve been doing without for 15 years…</p>
<p>Once your kid is old enough to drive, be sure to seek the discounted insurance rates for “non-resident student.” Also, have your kids buy used textbooks, or swap with friends. Kids will sell them for just a few dollars (especially at the end of term or year, when their funds are running low). My younger son is resourceful enough to have set up a PayPal account that he can use to shop for bargains on-line. Remember to apply for financial aid - there’s a surprising amount available, so cast a wide net.</p>
<p>We actually put off our son getting a license for a year because we don’t have to add him to our insurance as long as he has a driver’s permit, and most of the time that he’s home he’s driving with one of us anyway. The non-resident student tip is a good one for next summer though!</p>
<p>A few more ideas:
We buy a computer about once every ten years, putting it off until we literally can’t access anything on the internet anymore. This year, our kid (the gamer, don’t get me started) found a great computer on Craigslist and paid half so that we get something fast enough for him to play his games on. </p>
<p>When we really need to buy something expensive, Craigslist is our go-to source for everything from sports equipment to furniture. We live in the boonies, as I’ve said before, but my husband shops Craigslists all over the country; most people are willing to ship. </p>
<p>And when I’m feeling a bit glum about how much scrimping we need to do, I read The Tightwad Gazette–it makes me feel downright extravagant. Seriously, though, it’s a great source for frugality tips.</p>
<p>We just pretend were still living in an era before technology and fancy brands took over. Like @classicalmama, we havent had cable in years, weve adopted cooking as a hobby and rarely eat out preferring to entertain/feed our friends in our home, we drive old, paid-for cars (never buy new), we dropped the land line (fortunately, our companies pay for our cell phones), we dont vacation, our home is one of the smaller ones on the block, we never intend to buy a kid a car, our wardrobes dont have any identifying characteristics, I cut the familys hair (beauty school before college), and I paint, wallpaper, and sew–basically avoiding paying anyone to do anything we can do ourselves . Unfortunately, because weve lived this way most of our married lives with an eye to retirement, we didnt quality for FA. Now, we HAVE to live this way and will be pushing retirement off a few more years (we are older), but I wouldnt change a thing. Education is one of our core values, and we are thrilled to be able to provide DS with this enrichment even if it means every single penny I make goes to CRH. Its worth every cent, every sacrifice. And, Im still eager for any more frugal suggestions anyone has.</p>
<p>Choatiemom- we did the same thing- still do, for college! CRH was worth every penny and my kids were soooo prepared for college. My frugal tip is shopping for groceries at closeout stores like Big Lots. Gourmet fare at bargain prices LOL. Invite your kid’s friends to your modest, but fun, house and they will get invited to fabulous vacation houses.</p>
Seriously, though, it’s a great source for frugality tips.</p>