Financial advice abounds for incoming college freshmen

Students newly embarking on their college adventure may be having too much fun - or their heads may simply be spinning too hard - to absorb all the tips on financial planning for college coming their way. But considering all the time students may have spent filling out scholarships for college, isn't it worth listening to a few more-experienced adults explain ways to hang onto some of that money for college?

MSNBC financial reporter Laura Coffey offered some sound advice. For example, she warned against on-campus credit card offers. Sometimes, students will misunderstand the nature of the contracts they sign for new plastic financial resources, and get themselves into nasty debt. It should be kept in mind that late fees for credit cards can be brutal.

In addition, new college students should remember to pay their bills on time, as much of a hassle as it can seem to be at first. Coffey also wrote that it's a good idea to share a lease with roommates in order to delineate responsibility for rent and bills. While they're at it, students should make sure their roomies all have the necessary means, both financially and psychologically, to pay their share of rent.

Meanwhile, Emily Woodridge of the Wenatchee World, a Washington State news provider, wrote that buying used textbooks is an outstanding way to save a few dollars on study materials.

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