Basic home ec could help prevent student college debt

If I tossed every piece of clothing with any sort of rip, stain, tear, or missing button, I would probably spend more on replacing my wardrobe than on a semester's worth of textbooks. While spilling orange soda on a white dress might not happen to everyone, its still good to know how to repair, rather than replace, clothes. And it can save big bucks in the long run.

You don't have to worry about dropping a load of cash on the latest Singer sewing machine either. All you need is a needle and some thread.. A starter or travel sewing kit equipped with a few needles, various colored, pocket-sized spools of thread and some mini scissors is enough to get started. A kit with 24 different threads and three needles sells for $1.99 at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores, but you can get a free one during your next hotel stay.