Being a full time college student doesn't leave me much money to buy decorating supplies and pastry bags. I recently purchased some and am wondering how much more difficult it will be as compared to piping with a ziplock bag (fill it up... cut off the end)? I'm really excited to start piping properly but I'm definitely nervous. 

oh you'll do fine

you'll have much better control with a nice piping bag

in the meantime~~kudos to you for 'doing the best you can with what you have'

one of my favorite mantras ;)

AJust buy the right bags. On tv and in articles, they say a ziploc is ok, but it will never work properly with tips, and it can be a hassle to use. You can buy disposable bags at like $4 for a dozen, and it's worth it. When I'm feeling cheap, I will rewash those bags for weeks. And when they start looking like they might burst or tear, into the trash they go. No fuss.

Speaking from my own experience, storage- or freezer-grade zip-top bags work just fine. Sandwich bags are likely to burst; they're too thin.

Get a 50% off Michaels coupon and go get a washable one, it will cost you maybe $5.

I second the buying with a coupon suggestion. Hobby Lobby has a coupon but I think it's only for 40%. What I like about the pastry bags vs ziploc bags is that my tips don't slide around. I'm probably not doing it correctly though, which is something different. So I just got used to pastry bags.

I've never not used a coupler. Probably because I don't expect the bags I use, whether ordinary zip-top bags or disposable plastic piping bags, to work very well without one. And because I might very well be sharing one tip among several bags of frosting. And probably because the idea of not using one never occurred to me.

But if you're using a bag that works without a coupler, then that would be one less thing to wash.

I don't like ziplock bags, because the tip is not centered, it changes how i have to hold it and I always end up with a mess, and even on the best quality ones, I get split seams with stiff frosting.

They sell the washable wiltons at walmart for a great price..I bought my 18 for under $10

Ebay is a great place to get the plastic piping bags.  Made in China, though, not by Wilton in China.  Just made in China.  

Thanks for all the suggestions. I didn't even know I could use tips with the Ziplock bags... I just snipped the end off!! I only used them for cupcakes, but I'll definitely look for those coupons!! 

I bought some piping bags off of ebay....Huge mistake.   I got like a million for $1.99....not really, but it was a lot....for a little.   Almost every one busted at the seam.   They were super, duper thin and cheap.   

Ziplock bags are much more common and more widely available, so while I do use them a lot, a pastry bag really is a better tool when it comes down to it. The reason is that a pastry bag is much thicker than a standard sandwich or freezer bag and has less “give” to it.

If I'm lazy and just want to use a ziplock bag (without coupler), I cut the corner, put the tip down there, and then sellotape firmly around it. I've never had one bust, but don't squeeze too hard just in case. I do find the sellotape really helps secure it though and it doesn't slide around.

Otherwise, I agree with what others have said.... you could just get a washable pastry bag and that's just one expense over and done with, you can use it as many times as you wish. The only problem is they can be a pain to wash out with the grease.

Personally if I were you, I'd just get good disposable ones online. Be careful of the really cheap ones... although I was lucky and mine were cheap but good.