The damage. Students spend an average of $300 per year in the school store on items such as toiletries, groceries, and notebooks.
The fix. Set a $100 limit on insignia items; that should pay for a hoodie, T-shirt, and a few logo-covered notebooks.
Shop at big-box stores. Load up on items like Gatorade and bar soap at Costco or Target.
NEXT: Getting home
By Kim Clark, Beth Braverman and Zain Ejiofor
@Money
- Last updated March 29 2012: 9:23 AM ET
