“Princeton on a Dime – Tips for Thrifty Tigers”

Congrats class of 2024! Some of you may have imagined yourself at Princeton for much of your life, but now as you plan to make it a reality, some of you might wonder: what will it be like? Is it possible to live comfortably without breaking the bank? Absolutely!

Getting Started -- The Dorm Room

Whether you are a minimalist or are more HGTV extreme makeover style, moving into a dorm room for the first time can mean that you’ll need to acquire at least a few items. On the hunt, consider these tips:

• If you have roommates, be sure to talk with them before making purchases or packing, since the costs of shared items could be divided among all, or you might accidentally bring the same items.
• Dorm Furnishings Agency provides a host of items like linens, shower caddies, policy-approved microwaves, and fridges. Bonus: items are delivered directly to your campus dorm room!
• The Office of Sustainability hosts an event each fall to purchase pre-owned, affordable dorm furniture and essentials. It’s a great way to be eco-friendly and economical!
• Route 1 Shopping: Just a short distance from campus you'll find Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Ross, Marshalls, and a number of other retailers with affordable items for your room. The Saturday Shopper will get you to some of these spots as well the 605 bus (which is less than a $2 ride!)
• TigerTrade: This Undergraduate Student Government sponsored website allows you to buy/sell/rent/request furnishings and other items. Think Craigslist for the Princeton community. Another popular webpage is Free & For Sale.
• If you have roommates, be sure to talk with them before making purchases or packing, since the costs of shared items could be divided among all, or you might accidentally bring the same items.
• Need cleaning supplies, an envelope or baking sheets? Check with your College Office first, as they have many items you can borrow for free. You should also subscribe to your residential college listserv, where you can email your fellow college mates to borrow a stamp, dryer sheet, or just get advice on where to find something.
• Trenton thrift stores are well worth a visit too!
• Laundry is free on campus, so don’t worry about stocking up on quarters!

Other Essentials

• Textbooks: If you need to purchase traditional textbooks, you should take advantage of the 30% discount for course books available at Labyrinth Books. You even have an opportunity to sell those books back to Labyrinth at the end of your course and earn 20-25% of what you paid originally. There are also opportunities to rent books for a fee through Amazon and Chegg. You should also be sure to check if your course books are available to borrow for free from Princeton’s libraries and e-reserves or through the Scholars Institute Fellows Program/USG lending library! For more information on that lending library, contract [email protected].
• Haircuts: Need a more cost-efficient haircut? The Princeton Barber Shop on Tulane Street offers 10% off haircuts for Princeton students with ID, and at the Princeton Shopping Center on North Harrison Street, you can get a great, cheap cut at Great Clips.
• Computing: If you'd like to buy a personal computer, there are huge discounts available through the Student Computer Initiative program. It is possible, though definitely more difficult, to manage your coursework using only the computers provided in computer clusters all throughout campus. Princeton offers free printing to undergraduate students up to a 2700 B&W and 200 color page-a-year maximum. With many professors opting to use e-reserves over traditional textbooks, this can mean a big savings in the bookstore department.

Clothing

• Check out the Greene Street Consignment store on Nassau, especially the sale racks on the second level.
• Route 1 has tons of affordable options as well (many already mentioned), and don’t let names like Nordstrom Rack fool you!
•  Red, White & Blue Thrift store is also an amazing option, whether looking for formal attire, a winter coat, or room décor. Inventory is replaced daily so there is always a gem to find there including many new with tag items and plenty of designer options.
• Career Services has Tiger Threads “career closet” for students to obtain professional clothing for free.

Free (and discounted) Food

Though every first-year student  has a residential college meal plan, there may be times when you want to stray from the dining hall. Check out these options:

• RCA, College Council, and Class of 2024 study breaks (breaks FROM studying) are places for food and socializing
• Free food listserv- simply send “subscribe freefood” to [email protected] to learn about events and places on campus where free food is available.
• Many local establishments also offer regular student discounts, so it’s always a good idea to ask before paying!

Social

There are a number of free activities hosted by the USG throughout the year, including:

• Movie nights at the Garden Theater on Nassau Street (free popcorn and sodas included!)
• The Student Events Committee also offers events every Thursday of the academic year, including trivia nights, crafting events, Winter and Spring festivals, and comedy nights.
• Passport to the Performing Arts Program. These free “tickets” live on your TigerCard, so all you have to do is swipe your card at the box office for each event and you’re set!

Jobs and Extra Cash

It is fairly easy to get a job on campus. The Student Employment website has a number of resources on securing a campus job and a list of openings. There are also other opportunities for academic and international experience grants and funding through the Student Activities Funding Engine (SAFE). And look out for advertisements to participate in studies done by various departments on campus—they are a great way to help our research community and earn extra cash at the same time!

Finally, if you ever have questions or concerns about your finances, you can also always make an appointment with a Financial Aid Officer at any point to discuss your aid package – [email protected].