COUPON QUEEN: Savings to be had by college students

Sending a child off to college is exciting, emotional and expensive. But with some planning, resourcefulness, and a bit of creativity, my son is proving it's possible to cut those costs down in meaningful ways while he is at Bowling Green State University. Here are a few of the smart, frugal choices he's made during his college years that any student (or parent) might appreciate. Before he started his first year, we compared meal plan options. Instead of opting for the top tier, he picked the cheapest one the school offered. One big reason was that his college only allowed students to move up to a larger plan if they ran out of swipes, but not down to a smaller plan if they bought too many. Not only did we think it was safer and smarter to start small, but most seasoned parents in the college Facebook groups also recommended doing this. They knew from experience that students rarely used every meal swipe, especially once they discovered all the other ways to eat on and off campus. While the smaller plan may not fit everyone, it did work best for him. Another way he saved on food was by keeping his meal swipes and grabbing inexpensive groceries. Bags of rice, pasta, fresh veggies, eggs and peanut butter became staples in his dorm room mini-fridge. Even better, he and a few friends turned cooking into a social event. They'd gather in the dorm kitchen, pooling ingredients to whip up big batches of tacos or pasta. Many college dorms allow you to borrow pots, pans and cooking utensils, so these weren't an extra expense for him. Another resource he uses is the free on-campus food bank. Once a week, he can stop in to pick up extra staples to stretch his grocery budget. The food bank is open to all students, faculty and staff, with no income requirements and no questions asked. They strongly encourage students to stop in through their social media accounts and flyers throughout the campus. They stock nonperishable pantry items like pasta, rice and peanut butter, plus fridge and freezer items such as eggs, cheese, yogurt and even frozen meals. He's even brought home shampoo, soap and other hygiene items, saving him a trip (and extra dollars) to the drugstore. It's an incredible resource that helps him fill in the gaps when funds are tight. His biggest money-saver will be this fall as he applied and was chosen to become a resident assistant. Being an RA means plenty of responsibility, but the payoff is enormous. His position covers his room and board, plus he receives a small stipend each semester. That's thousands of dollars in savings every year and a valuable line on his resume. Perks for being an RA at each school will be vastly different, but most offer discounts or stipends. If your student is interested, have them look out for an informational meeting in late fall. Another smart move: He keeps his college ID handy at all times. Many local restaurants, movie theaters and museums offer student discounts, both on and off campus. He even brought his ID on vacation to save a little extra on an activity we were doing. If you have a college student in your life, encourage them to find frugal options on their college campuses. This can vary by college, but it adds up to significant savings. Sometimes the best lessons in college aren't learned in the classroom; they're learned one budget-friendly choice at a time. This week's deal Here's a deal to grab this week at CVS. Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats or Pop-Tarts (8 count) = $1.99 each Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there, and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at couponingwithrachel@hotmail.com