How to Contact Home on a College Budget

College freshmen learn quickly that their funds are limited after buying textbooks, class supplies and the occasional pizza. Sometimes, there's only a little bit left over for contacting loved ones at home, especially if parents can't continually replenish the fun money. There are ways to cut corners when communicating on a budget, if only to beg for more of the green.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make good use of the tried and true. The handwritten letter is unfortunately becoming a thing of the past with calling cards, cell phones and email, but it's one of the most cost efficient ways to stay in touch with family and friends back home. It also lets them know that you're truly thinking of and miss them because you took the time to write.

2. Put your technology to use. If you do take a laptop to school and can afford Internet access in your dorm room or can access the Internet on campus, take advantage of email and instant messaging. Since you're already paying for the service, and it's surely one of the quickest methods of communication, shoot a few off when you find some down time.

3. Ask your parents for prepaid phone cards. Not only are they available at great rates per minute, they also save you the time and aggravation of sifting through your phone bill every month to separate your phone calls from your roommate's.

4. Carpool home with other students near your hometown. If you need to get home or just want to pop in for a visit, put signs up around campus advertising the fact that you're looking for a lift home and willing to share gas expenses. Other students who have cars on campus and are driving close to your hometown are usually eager to take on an additional rider to offset the cost of gas.

5. Apply for a credit card with benefits. While it's generally not a great idea for college students to have credit cards if they're not fiscally responsible, consider one that offers rebates toward travel expenses for each use. Not only is a credit card handy in the case of an emergency, you're putting your dollars to work for you.

6. Call home during the cheap hours. Find out from the local phone company or your cell phone company when their discounted calling times are. Let your family and friends know when these hours are and if they're late at night, ask if it's OK to call after a certain time. Parents will probably welcome the occasional phone call after 11:00 p.m. if it means discounted rates of up to 60 percent.

7. Look for stocking stuffers. For the holidays and birthdays, make it known to whomever buys gifts for you that books of stamps or prepaid phone cards would make fantastic gifts. They can come from your parents, or from aunts, uncles or grandparents. You get free ways of contacting home and your parents don't even have to foot the bill.