Rossen Reports: Don’t take this stuff to college dorms

Deals, scams, your money, unemployment— Jeff’s newsletter cuts through the noise.

While your child packs up for college, there are some things they might think are essential for their dorm room or apartment, but there are better options out there. Options that will save you money, space and frustration.

We all think we need a water pitcher with a built-in filter, but really, they take up a lot of space in your mini fridge.

Take this: Instead, get yourself a water bottle that has a filter through the straw. We love this $28, 36 oz. Brita Water Bottle (smaller sizes available too) that you can fill up at a water fountain or even in your bathroom sink. It fits better inside a mini-fridge.

We have a lot of options for you. All you have to do is ditch the big bulky ones.

Take this: Bring these Tree Hangers that will let you hang multiple shirts on one. It takes up more space vertically than horizontally. We bought a set of two for $20.

Take this: If you have the hangers but you still want space, you can try these Space Savings Hangers. You hang your hangers in each hole on the hook, then detach one side to take up more space vertically. We bought a 10-pack for $12.

Try this: Want a DIY to hack this? Take your hangers up to school. But every time you crack open a soda, save the aluminum pop can tab. Take the tab and put one hanger through one hole and another hanger through the other. This will create that hanger tree effect for a fraction of the cost.

Bringing a full-size printer and paying for ink cartridges will be a waste of space and a waste of money. Most college professors are going paperless and campuses have printing options for students. If they need to print something, there are printers in resource centers and the library. So lugging one up to school isn't always necessary. If you really want something for notetaking, there are other, cheaper options.

Take this: Try out a Mini Thermal Printer. We bought one for $129 but it goes on sale often. It prints with thermal heat, so there is no ink. Refill paper is also cheaper on Amazon as well.

Take this: This Sticker Printer is perfect to help assist you in taking notes. There are many options out there, but the one we got cost $37. It prints with thermal heat, so there is no ink. It also connects to your phone via Bluetooth.

Lugging up a nightside table or piece of furniture to school is a pain. Plus, you’re not even sure you’ll have space for it. And if you’re on the top bunk, you can’t use it.

Take this: Try a Wall Mount Shelf for $12. This has multiple shelves and you can stick it to the wall or a piece of furniture no matter where your bed is.

Take this: Here’s another Wall Mount Shelf that’s just one level, costing $13.

Take this: Try this Wall Mount Shelf that has more accessories to it like hooks and cable clips for $16.

Take this: Here’s another Wall Mount Shelf that has hooks and more of a caddy on it for $16.

You’re going to need one, but you might as well upgrade…

Take this: You need one with multiple outlets and a tower is better than a strip because it lets you bring plugs and cords from multiple angles, not just from the top. This one on Amazon is $29.