• Avoid your campus tech shop—Ever wonder how they can get away with charging you $10 for a hot dog when you go to a baseball game? It’s because they know they’ve got you. Really, where else are you going to go? To some degree, the same is true with many campus technology stores. Although they offer some good deals, they never offer those screaming deals that will save you a lot of money. They know they don’t need to because all of the students who didn’t plan ahead will be in there in a panic, buying whatever they can get their hands on.

• Scour the Sunday paper—Really, when it comes down to it, the best deals for school-related technology needs can be found in your local Sunday paper. Just find the glossy inserts for your local “big box” retailers. Look through there and find a computer that fits your needs, do a quick online search to figure out if you’re getting a deal and to look for any negative reviews, and then head to the store committed to buying that computer (not the much pricier one they’ll inevitably try to sell you). One of the best Internet sites for technology reviews is CNet.com. Before you buy a computer for college, check CNet to see whether its reviewers give it their stamp of approval.

• Buy bundled software—Here’s the skinny: you’re going to need Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) at almost every college and for almost every major. Alternative programs like Microsoft Works, Corel WordPerfect, or any of the standard Mac programs just won’t cut it. Ideally, the computer you buy should come preloaded with fully licensed (not trial versions) of these programs. If you buy them individually, you might spend hundreds of dollars, but if you get them preinstalled on your computer, you might not spend a dime extra.

• Develop brand-name blindness—Like any other product, brand-name technology usually costs more. In reality, though, for what most students are going to do at the college level (with the exception of needing Microsoft Office), non-brand-name computers and software are more than sufficient. This is especially true with Macs (don’t get me wrong, this book was written on a Mac), which are all the rage with college students. A good non- brand-name laptop shouldn’t run you more than $600 to $800, while a brand name or MAC can easily run over $1,000.

• Look for open box specials—Most large electronics stores have a special section where they tuck away products that have been returned, but for one reason or another cannot be sold as brand new. These products still have their full warranties and might have never been used, but because the seal is broken on the box, they’re selling at a 10 to 50 percent discount. If you can’t find the rack of “open box specials,” just ask a salesperson.

• Utilize student discounts—If you are attending school in an area where there is a shortage of large electronics stores, or if you need to purchase any software including Microsoft Office, try to swing a student discount. To do this, either visit the link provided by your college or go directly to the manufacturer’s website and look for a student or education link. As an example of how large the savings can be, I recently bought a student version of a $1,000 graphics program for about $350. That’s a whole lot of savings.

• Don’t leave technology unattended—Most technology that gets stolen or damaged has typically been left unattended by the person it matters to most. In fact, many campuses are specifically targeted by small-time thieves who simply hang around coffee shops or libraries, waiting for a student to get up and take a potty break. Simply keeping a close eye on valuables will save you from paying for them more than once!

• Get a cable lock—One of the easiest ways to keep a laptop or desktop from growing a set of legs is to buy a $20 cable lock. In fact, virtually all laptops come with a built-in receptor for these locks, which look and function much like a bike lock. Although it won’t keep a determined thief with a set of cable cutters from stealing a computer, it will keep the casual thief from grabbing a laptop while everyone’s back is turned in the dorm or a library study room.

• Check your homeowner’s policy—Many homeowner’s policies cover students against theft and damage while they’re at college. If a loss occurs, this can be the cheapest route to replacing your technology.

• Buy the protection plan—In The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Boosting Your Financial IQ (Alpha Books, 2009), I share my disdain for the extended warranties pushed on you by the clerks at your local electronics store. Under normal conditions, they are generally a poor investment and will never get used. Under college conditions, however, they might be your best friend if you don’t have a homeowner’s policy. This is especially true if you can find one that covers accidental breakage or even theft.