My junior year of college, I lived in a very old house with 10, yes, 10 of my best friends.  It had old windows, old doors, and I’m pretty sure I saw some mice running around with AARP cards.  Our heating bill during the winter was anywhere from $800-$1000 a month that winter, even when we kept the thermostat on 65 degrees.  Here are some quick tips to help your student (and you!) save money this winter.

1. SEND BLANKETS!

I can’t emphasize how important this small step is.  With heating bills that high, I used blankets all the time…they helped me bundle up to watch TV in our freezer of a living room, and kept me nice and toasty at night.  In fact, 2 years later I still have the same blanket my parents sent me, and I’m still using it for the same purpose.

2. ELECTRIC SPACE HEATERS

These have been overlooked by too many college students as an alternative to cranking up the heat.  A few years ago, the safety of electric space heaters was brought into question, but now all are made with safety devices that automatically turn off once they get too hot (which actually never happened to me).  I turned it off when I was at class, and a few hours before I went to sleep I would turn it on.  By the time I crawled into bed, my room was like a tropical paradise.

3. PLASTIC, NOT PAPER PLEASE

Another great way to save money during the winter is to get your student some plastic sheeting-painter’s plastic will do just fine.  You can buy it at any home improvement store, and all that is needed besides that is some duct tape.  Just have your student tape it up on the inside of the windows, and it’s a surefire way to keep the heat in and the cold air out.

4. SOUP FOR THE COLLEGE SOUL

This not only saves money on the heating bill, but also on the grocery bill! There really isn’t anything better than a nice hot bowl of soup before a long night of studying, and it really does work to thaw your student  from the inside out!  You can go to almost any grocery store and get soup in packs of ten or twenty.  If not there, try Sam’s Club or Costco.

5. FURNACE FILTERS

Generally, if your college student lives in the typical college house, then they’re using a gas furnace.  Furnace filters can be bought for pennies on the dollar; all you need are the right measurements.  Any dirt on the filter will block air circulation from the furnace, period.  Also, consider calling (or have your kid call, they’re “all grown up” now!) the landlord; usually they provide the maintenance for the furnace.

If your student lives in an area that’s notorious for cold winters, they might need help adjusting.

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