The cost of housing is a large part of the college expense for those that don’t live at home. Here are some tips of reducing that cost.

- Living on campus can sometimes be less expensive that living off campus. Living off campus can sometimes incur hidden expenses like deposits, furniture, utility bills, cleaning supplies, and travel costs that you wouldn’t have to worry about if you lived on campus.

-To save on furniture, scout the classified ads for yard sales in the area. Graduating seniors in particular will probably have furniture that they want to get rid of, and it’s a great way to buy the stuff you need at a low cost.

- During the winter months, put on a sweater inside of cranking up the heat. During the summer months, turn on a fan instead of the air conditioning. You’ll save a lot on your electricity bills.

- Turn off and unplug electric appliances when not in use. Phone, MP3 and PDA chargers in particular still consume electricity even if you’re not using them.

- If you have a roommate, discuss how you will divide the housing expenses (rent, utilities, food, etc.) well in advance. Discuss potential issues and scenarios involving emergency expenses as well so all of you are prepared before those things happen.

- Always pay your rent on time. Late payments can not only incur penalty fees, but they might also damage your credit rating, making it more difficult for you in the future to secure a loan with a good interest rate.

- Buy your twin xl bedding online to save money.

What tips do you recommend?