College living money how much???

[roset]

DD is going away this fall, she got an apt. kitchen figure they can micro or little things. But know she hates to cook I really don't know what to do she got some classes 30 min apart so guess she will do fast food. I thought nites she can micro something. How much spending for the week? Anyone have an idea of how much to put in their acct? I thought we would do this weekly so she can budget herself. I am new to this so anyone that has been threw this please help me. We are thinking the meal plan which will be one meal a day she does have a kitchenette too. Maybe not go that way.

[wellsms]

Re: College living money how much???

I currently have 1 son in college, and have put 2 others through college. You really have to know your child. Can they budget and will they spend all the money on clothes. I had a niece who was on the lunch plan at college and would never eat at school-she ate at Subway for each lunch and supper-she was afraid of gaining weight. My one son went to Ohio State and they had a wide variety of things to eat there-but he would still get tired of it. He eventually ended up with a off campus apartment with 3 other boys and they enjoyed cooking their own meals. My suggestion would be to go to Sams and buy whatever she eats and snacks on-granola bars, pringles, crackers, juice boxes, bottles water, etc. She can throw a couple in her book bag and eat between classes and not have to wait in lines. My sons know if there is a "need" we would be there for them with extra money--but "need" did not include date money, new clothes, cd's, etc.

[Ginger]

Re: College living money how much???

What do you mean by 'apt kitchen'? Is she in an apartment where she has her own bedroom but shares a kitchen with others? Or is she in a residence where they have one snack room per floor Is she allowed to have a toaster, toaster oven or microwave of her own?

Another question--will she be sharing a bathroom with others or will she have her own?

And having put 2 children through university, what ever amount you give them it is NEVER enough!!

[luvs2eat]

Re: College living money how much???

Ha ha... not to hijack, but I remember being in nursing school. My parents gave me $20/every other week for spending money. (Our 3 meals were eaten in the hospital cafeteria)

I'd spend $7.50 on enough cigarettes for the whole 2 weeks (those were the days), fill my car w/ gas (about $5.00... THOSE were the days!!),try really hard to not spend the rest... and would usually stop by my dad's office in town and beg a few bucks from him before the next allowance.

ha ha... memories...

[Bean]

Re: College living money how much???

My DD had all 3 meals at school and as for spending money she was on a tight budget. She worked all summer and saved the money for her own clothes and extra spending money. We gave her a monthly allowance and she had to budget that. I think you have to look at your own DD and try and figure out what she will “need”. A lot of the parents gave their kids open credit cards which I thought was mad!

[luvs2eat]

Re: College living money how much???

My DD had all 3 meals at school and as for spending money she was on a tight budget. She worked all summer and saved the money for her own clothes and extra spending money. We gave her a monthly allowance and she had to budget that. I think you have to look at your own DD and try and figure out what she will “need”. A lot of the parents gave their kids open credit cards which I thought was mad!

Not to mention... when I went to college in the early 90s... on the first day of EVERY new semester, in every class... a credit card application was on each desk. Most the kids were older than 18 and didn't meed parent's permission to apply! Yikes!! I sure hope that practice has changed!

[sushi]

Re: College living money how much???

We give our son $50 a week. He has to use that for gas and food. He was on the meal plan though.

[wellsms]

Re: College living money how much???

Now the credit card companies are on campus giving out water bottles, frisbees, t-shirts, etc to try to get them to sign up for the credit cards. Parents must teach their kids/young adults how to resist temptation of easy credit.

[Machele]

Re: College living money how much???

Doesn't the college have a meal plan? When the meal plan didn't work- I ate Ramen :-)

[CalicoSkiesNC]

Re: College living money how much???

I would definitely look into the college's meal plan. Works out cheaper, healthier food choices and carefree. At my sons' college it works out to about $5-6 for a meal. We do 2 meals a day, and they just eat cereal or Poptarts for breakfast. My sons live in a dorm, but I know their friends who live in apts near campus can also do the meal plans.

[luvkidrock]

Re: College living money how much???

Not to mention... when I went to college in the early 90s... on the first day of EVERY new semester, in every class... a credit card application was on each desk. Most the kids were older than 18 and didn't meed parent's permission to apply! Yikes!! I sure hope that practice has changed!

It hasn't. My son gets credit applications all the time...they really hit the college kids