Thrifty Thursday: Cars on Campus
Thursday June 4, 2009
Considering letting your child take a car to college? Campus wheels are a pricey proposition. Forget the gas and tolls. The real expense lies in parking passes, whose fees range from $50 to $1,400 a year. That price tag merely guarantees that your child won't get ticketed in student parking; it doesn't mean he'll actually have anywhere to park. On some campuses, you have to arrive well before 9 a.m. to find a space. Ouch.And if you're worried that your car-less darling will be stranded on campus, fret not. Every college has a shuttle or taxi system. Many have free bus passes. And then there's that most amazing of amazing options: the Zipcar. On more than 100 campuses, any licensed driver, ages 18 and up, can rent one of these cute little vehicles for a few hours, gas and insurance included. Zip!
Looking for more Thrifty Thursday tips? Here's more money-saving advice from About's Parenting Guides this week:
Comments
The parking situation on college campuses is truly out of hand. When they opened a new parking garage at the University of Texas a few years ago, my niece spent the night in line for the chance to purchase a space, just like she might have done for concert tickets!
Thanks for the tip about car insurance. I didn’t know that, and I have a granddaughter going to college next year.