Back to school
A parent's guide to a back-to-school budget talk
How parents can set a back-to-school budget with a student: agree a total, split it into four buckets and keep a reserve so nobody argues later.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Topic
Back to school
Term-start lists and budgets.
Back to school
Laptop vs tablet for college notes
Laptop vs tablet for college notes: which suits typing, handwriting and a tight budget, and when a cheap tablet plus keyboard is not enough.
Lucas Bernard4 min read
Back to school
A back-to-school budget that survives the term
Split your term budget across dorm, clothes, study gear and a reserve, with an AED example, what to cut first and a rule for every purchase.
Lucas Bernard4 min read
Back to school
Buy vs rent vs borrow textbooks: which is cheaper?
Buy vs rent vs borrow textbooks for college: a simple rule for when each is cheaper, plus checks on editions, access codes and the library.
Lucas Bernard4 min read
Back to school
Back to school shopping list: what to buy and when
A back to school shopping list in three stages: buy before term, buy in week one, and wait until week four, so your budget does not run out early.
Nour Haddadi5 min read
Back to school
Stop shopping for the student you want to be
An opinion on why back-to-school lists fill up with things for an imaginary tidy, early-rising student, and how to shop for the one who turns up.
Lucas Bernard4 min read
Back to school
Student discounts worth checking before you buy
Student discounts worth checking before you buy: ask about student pricing for software, transport and shops, and how to confirm the offer is real.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Back to school
How to pack for dorm move-in day
How to pack for dorm move-in day: a box order that keeps bedding and chargers on top, what to carry yourself and what to leave at home.
Nour Haddadi5 min read
Back to school
Printer vs print shop for college: which is cheaper?
Printer vs print shop for college: how often you print decides it. A simple rule, a worked AED example and when a small home printer is worth the space.
Lucas Bernard4 min read