Saving with 6abc: Keeping college affordable

August 26, 2013 (WPVI) -- As college kids head to campus, it's not too late to save big on some of the major bills your co-ed will rack up this year.

Here are a few tips as we get the school year going:

Let's start with the obvious: books!

Buying a new one can cost a fortune, so try Amazon or eBay for used versions. You can also rent them for the semester from Chegg, BookRenter, and Barnes & Noble or purchase the eBook version - that's a lot lighter too and more ecofriendly!

Next - health insurance. Many colleges offer health insurance plans, but it may cost less to stick with mom and dad. Under the Affordable Care Act, kids can stay under their parents' health insurance until they are 26, this ends up being much cheaper.

As for travel expenses, plan ahead! Students should book trips home for scheduled breaks now and they can save up to half off. Booking flights or train rides last minute is often much more expensive.

Consider renters insurance if you are renting an off campus apartment; it's wise to spend a little on insurance now to protect from potentially larger bills later on should there be something damaged or stolen.

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