So, I know many of you have sent your kids off to college or are about too... what I'd like to know is where to get the bargains, with out it being used... I'm already doing the used text book thing, only cause I can get some notes in them, possibly...

I'm refering to Sheets, storage, little things like that... This is the start of my back to school shopping this month on forward.

Thanks!

OH! I live in the Chicago land area if that helps... 60707

I love shopping for bargains at TJ Max. They have great linens and storage. And some on the board have spoken highly of Tuesday Morning, although I have never shopped there.

Try J.C.Penney outlet store, BIG LOTS, Tuesday Morning, Ross, or go to the clearance section of the store. You never know what you will find there!
Best of Wishes on your education!! :thumbup:

I would say write down a list of what you REALLY need. Sheets...you will have a twin at college, so do you have a twin at home? Ask if you can take a set of sheets with you. You could get by with one set. Two would be better, so you can just whip off the dirty, put fresh on, and when the dirty come out of the wash just fold and put away for next week.

Same with towels...if you can bring two from home with washcloths, etc...you will be good. Check the clearance section and embrace the fact that even though you may like sky-blue towels you could end up with some rockin' fluffy orange towels for less.

Dorm rooms have dressers, so your clothes have a home.
Some have closets as well, so bring a few hangers from home.

I'd get a caddy for your bathroom stuff, like...you may find it in the cleaning/tupperware aisle at Walmart or Big lots. With a handle, able to hold shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap dish, razor, etc...because you probably will have to shower down the hall.

Thrift stores, auctions, yard sales

The less you can take to the dorm, the better. Only the essentials and a few things to make it cozy.
It never ceases to amaze me what slobs my DD's roomates were. Good thing she had so little with her or it would have gotten lost in the shuffle.
Don't buy things just 'cuz your BFF has it or it is the newest thing or color. Really think about how you will use it, how long will it last, is it worth the price, will you be able to re-sell after school or will you take it to your first apt., things like that.
We bought DD a dorm fridge on clearance at Lowe's because it had a scratch on it, a small microwave, sturdy hangers, two nice warm blankets (you don't want to take your quilts there do you?), a trash can, a locking file cabinet, some plastic storage bins; a couple of cheap plates, bowls, cups, & cuttlery, so she could eat her Ramen noodles and whatever else kids eat in the dorm. She had the plastic shoe boxes to store the snacks and food in so bugs couldn't get in. If she had it to do over, she would have purchased a rolling back-pack. Makes it mush easier to take to classes and easier on your back and shoulders. She took just enough stuff we were able to make it in one trip at the end of the year to haul back home.

I like Big Lots alot, but probaly the cheapest would be Walmart?

I found sheets for my girls at Target - they needed the XLong Twins for the dorm beds and they had plenty to choose from. (although this was 7 and 5 years ago). Depending on how your dorm is set up, a plastic tote for showering needs comes in handy. Ross is good - also check out Craig's list (be careful, though) and check out garage sales - you can find some good stuff there (also a bunch of junk!). Bed Bath Beyond has lots of college stuff - get some coupons - they never expire and you can get 20% off and use more than one per visit.

Also, if you are in Chicagoland, IKEA. They have great prices on lots of stuff, and the design is fabulous. I know there is one outside of Chicago, but I don't remember exactly where. It's worth the trip just to see the designs, I think, and get ideas about living neatly in small spaces. i can't think of a better place to get organizational tools of all kinds.

I am definately going to Ikea! I told my mom that we should go there just to look at what they have in person, since I get the catalog. I'm getting the macreme bowls and plates from Taget.

here is a list of what the school says to bring, and what not to bring...

What should I bring to school with me?

* Computer (modem or network access)
* Radio, stereo, television set (cable ready), VCR/DVD (provided these items do not use an outside antenna)
* Iron
* Hair dryer
* Electric fan
* Razor
* Trash can (not provided in rooms)
* Refrigerator (if it does NOT exceed 3.0 cubic feet or draw more than 300 watts or 1.5 amps)
* Outlet strip (we encourage you to have a UL-approved outlet strip with a surge suppresser)
* 4-cup coffee maker, hot pot, popcorn popper (provided they have no exposed heating coils)
* Carpeting
* Additional room lamps (not Halogen)
* Umbrella, rain/snow shoes, etc.
* Bedding for an extra-long twin bed
* Items from home to add a personal touch to your room

What should I leave at home?

* Microwaves
* Air conditioners
* Amplified instruments and drums
* Waterbeds
* Ceiling fans
* Hot plates
* Toaster ovens
* Any item with an exposed heating coil
* Halogen lamps
* Pets, except for fish
* Candles and incense
_________

I have most of these things. Some of these things are being purchased due to the fact that we need an extra, like a fan, which I'll be able to take with me. Especially if the room is as quiet as the ones on the Monmouth University campus (for that camp I do in the summer) after the air shuts off. I drained my ipod of battery power since it was WAY to quiet.

I'm thinking of having my computer equipped to have a tv tuner to save space. I don't iron unless I absolutely have to... I don't blow dry my hair often... Small trach cans are inexpensive, I think I bought one from wal-mart last year when I went to ITI for like $2. It was small, I'll do it again this year, but I'll bring it home with me this time. I will definately need sheets, I sleep on the couch at the moment, and we have a queen and a full size bed, so no twin sheets... I'll be getting a coffee maker since I drink coffee AND tea, and I'll get a small hot pot/crock pot what ever its called...

I don't have much I have to to get... maybe some clothes too, but thats due to the lack of a lot of clothes lol... I have clothes but not much... maybe two pairs of jeans and some tops would be good.

I jsut hope that I'll have room for that Sewing machine ;)

If you plan to sew you will need the iron. Are you near the school you will be attending or any other college for that matter? If graduations are this weekend, this is the weekend to hang around the campus near the dorms. People that live far away and are graduating will be selling very cheap a lot of the things you need and some maybe throwing away.

My daughter graduated last year and after the graduation the kids had 3 hours to empty their rooms. The amount of things I saw go straight to the dumpster was incredible. My daughter had collected a bunch of things and we took everything to the salvation army

The one outside of Chicago is in Schaumberg, IL right by the Woodfield Shopping Mall (My favorite mall).

And Target does sell XL Twin sheets, but not really till about July. But I'm starting to see college stuff starting to pop out in some places, I'm thinking this is due to the economy... last year our Wal Mart had School stuff on sale starting in mid June.

I'm going to make curtains for my room. But I'm going to clear that with my roomie first, and if we have no rod, I can get those 3m hook things and use those as a thing to hold the rod, this way no damage to the wall when they come down, and we get a little extra darkness. I just hope I don't get a hum bug of a roommate, I like to celebrate Christmas...

I have met a couple of my classmates via facebook due to the Elmhurst College Class of '14 page some one set up. So that is cool. I get to meet a couple in person on June 21st, so that shall be cool.

I'm about 15-30 minutes away, my mom works about 5 minutes away from where I'm at too. I know a few of the graduating seniors since I went to school with them, and they are my age! (It kind of sucks knowing I'm older than the freshman starting, but I'm not the only one! lol) I'm going to ask one of my friends if he has anything that he will not need.

a set of silverware, a dishpan to wash said dishes, cups, a toaster, a hot pot to cook mac and cheese, ramen, ect in. a basket for taking shower items back and forth, a laundry basket of some kind. I used this to transport dirty laundry home to do! Don't forget the alarm clock! Also, what about a mini ironing board if you are planning to sew there, otherwise you will probably have to run down the hall to use the community board. If you can get a hold of a loft from someone, they are a lifesaver! So much more room!

I picked up a vintage dry iron from a yard sale this past weekend for $2. My son is home from college now, he was given the names and # of his room mates so that coordination could be done on things like fridge, microwave, ect. No sense have 3 microwaves!

We are not to bring Lofts... And I'm afraid of heights! I can actually get these bed risers that go higher than the traditional ones, and my fridge would fit just under it, which will be great! The fridge is 3.1 cubic feet, so it's not really going to be noticably taller than the 3.0 max.

I plan getting a hope chest to keep blankets and a quilt or two... and some other things too. and I might get an iron and an ironing bored, unless the one we have works... and I'm not sure it does... should find out... (puts that on list of the things to inspect). I'm also going to get one of those lap trays for my laptop, so that way I can have the sewing machine on the desk, at least till I can get a sewing machine carrying case...

I'm also going to get property insurance on my stuff!

They are not allowed in the dorms, the microwaves. I need my own fridge for things that I generally need, and I would want to take up that persons space. We get our room assignment July 15th. I hope to find out my roommate then, so that we can get to know one another before we have to move in together. IF we move in with one another and can't stand it together, we can opt for new roommates after two weeks... after that we can't change till right before winter break unless it's unbearable. This is also an option for if you make a friend on campus, the two of you can room together if you choose, as long as you decide during that change room time.

Drive around campus right now and see what has been left by the students moving out. You may be a whole truckload of stuff that they didn't have room to move home. My daughter just moved home with LOTS more than we sent with her. She got a great purple pole lamp and her sister found a pile of clothes that were cute and fit her. SCORE!

I would if I drove, or had money to take a bus and train (the public transportation...) I might be able to this weekend... but I might be able to score my friends fridge, if he is not wanting it, and maybe some other things from people I knwo... I've got connections. haha, If they do not come through I will do as suggested! Thanks you guys!

If you're going to have a roommate, wait until you know some contact info so you can collaborate on who will bring what, regarding things like t.v., DVD player, fridge, etc. Those are all expensive, bulky things. In a small space, better only to have one.

I also got a small folding ironing board that I could put under my bed - cost about $7 at Dollar General, I think. Esp. if you're going to sew it would be useful. DO try to take along your sewing machine. I wish I'd had one when I was in college, but up to that point I'd always just borrowed my mom's.

Make sure you have a good light to use at your desk and in bed for all that reading! If you do not have your own shower, I'd suggest a mesh bag of sorts to keep toiletries in. Extra washcloths are handy, even the baby washcloths. A really soft bathroom rug to use by the bed. Small laundry basket. A lg plastic popcorn bowl. A 2 drawer file cabinet WITH a lock. A small lock box to go inside file cabinet. That's all that comes to mind at the moment.

Good Luck to You!!!!! Great adventure you are about to embark on!!!!!

When you're on a tight budget, there's nothing wrong with Good Will or the Salvation Army and they do have new stuff, too.

I'll be checking out the Good Will store since thats the only one thats not in the city (mom doesn't like to drive in the city or the south side for that matter... which gets annoying when we want to go someplace with her and she says no...) so Good Will it is! lol

Most of my tops I can get at old navy since they are generally in expensive, I'm going to have to spend a bit more on jeans at Torrid or Lane Bryant. Then again the jean I bought last fall from Lane Bryant were on sale for 19.00 and looked great on me. But this is only happening if I haven't dropped a couple of pant sizes (3 sizes to be exact).

have fun!