Back-to-School Guide: College Student Dorm Room for Under $500

College life is daunting for just about everyone, especially in the first year. If you will be heading off to college and living on campus, your to-do list is even longer. Here's your handy guide for purchasing what you really will need and use and avoiding what you don't need and won't use. These tips will help you find the best stuff for your dorm at the best prices.

Futon couch bed with extra thick mattress. The futon is the ideal piece of dorm equipment. While your dorm will come with a bed and mattress, don't use them. It's impossible to really clean a mattress and who knows what happened on it last semester. Sleeping on a dorm mattresses is less comfortable than sleeping on a park bench. Choose the thicker coil spring mattress for your futon for best comfort. I made the mistake of purchasing the thinner futon mattress and it was miserably uncomfortable. I wound back at the mattress store begging for the better mattress. You can buy a quality futon and mattress set for around $200. Choose the wood vs. metal frame for better durability. Look for a futon with drawers built in the frame for storing clothing.

Large Micro Fleece or Polar Fleece throw blankets. Look for at least 60" x 70" blankets. With a futon,bed, you really don't need sheets unless you want them. These blankets are available anywhere under $20.

Small refrigerator: Portable refrigerators are available for under $50 at mass merchandisers. You can stock this with healthy power snacks and what you've stolen from mom and dad's frig each week. This will help you to avoid the freshman '20#'; the midriff bulge that many first-year students acquire from living on vending machine food. You can save loads of money on food and snacks too. Your little frig will keep your beer cold too (I AM kidding.)

Back pillow with arms: Long nights of reading and study and working on the floor are killers for your back. You can buy these pillows for under $20 at Target and Wal-Mart.

Branched floor lamp that uses T8 and T5 (Pentron) high efficiency light bulbs. The floor lamp uses up less space and lights up a wider area. A branched lamp enables you to shine one light down on what you are reading without turning on the others. This is great for studying when the room mate wants to sleep. Wal-Mart carries just such a lamp for under $15.

Refillable Water Cooler or cases of bottled water: If you don't buy bulk bottled water, purchase a Culligan water cooler or 2 gallon jug. Avoid using shared water sources for drinking, to prevent the spread of illness, disease and germs. College students are very susceptible to mononucleosis, Strep B, pneumonia, RSV and other viral infections.

Portable Microwave: While this isn't the ideal way to cook, microwave ovens are useful for the dorm student. Cheap microwave ovens are available for under $40; I found mine for $20 on sale at Meijer. Never microwave with plastic.

Toaster Oven: Dollar General carries a small toaster oven for $10. Use the toaster oven to heat foods in metal foil. Toaster oven foods are safer and less toxic than microwaved food.

Hot Pot: Dollar General carries an electric hot pot for heating tea, water or soup. Use this to make instant oatmeal in the morning. The Hot Pot is useful and can be poured like a coffee pot.

Coffee Maker: Don't rely on Starbucks for your morning Java; at a $1.40 a cup, you can save about $1.25 per day by brewing your own. Get a small coffee-maker for under $10 at Wal-Mart, Dollar General or Family Dollar.

Power Strip cord (with surge protector and auto-shut down for overloads). You'll need this for the multitude of appliances. $5 at Menard's, DG, Wal-Mart.

Insulated Travel Mug: for water, coffee, tea and even soup.

Washable Corel or plastic dishes, drinking cups and utensils. Corel makes durable inexpensive dishes, bowls and cups that are easy to wash out after using. One mug, glass, plate, bowl and utensil set are all you need.

Bathroom Travel Kit: Choose a washable, completely zippable bag for taking toiletries into shared bathrooms and showers.Store razors, shave cream, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, towels and washcloth in separate plastic containers in your bag. Take it with you in the bathroom and keep it with your stuff. Try the presoaped razors for ease of use.

Use this shopping list as an easy, inexpensive way to set up your college domain.