College student monthly budget

[Anonymous]

College student is in Boston. On a full meal plan, but she’s a picky eater. Trying to figure out how much $ to put on her debit card each month. She will pay for her food, entertainment, toiletries, clothing. We will pay any medical or travel bills. What is a reasonable monthly amount?

[Anonymous]

We started with $100 -factoring in the use of Uber in an urban college setting. The first month went over the allotment - lots of new things to try, places to explore. Once school got underway our student has used much less than this per month and decided eating on campus was the best choice and price point.

[Anonymous]

I suggested our student allot $35 / week for going out to dinner or other off campus fun. This is money they earned themselves, so we are not sending more. They need to practice saving and even spending wisely.

Their big school offers so many activities included in the activity fee. All athletics (lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and more) are free. They can also create art, swim, workout for free, do rec sports—and can do a lot more for a low cost (on campus movie theatre, concerts, plays, musicals, farmers market, and bowling).

Hopefully, your picky eater attends a school with a wide array of food choices. I can’t imagine my student not finding something they like among the multiple food stations covering the cuisines of many countries and regions.

Being picky is a choice and is a good way to get more $$ from the parents.

[Anonymous]

Would start at $200 and adjust from there.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you're paying for everything if you're loading her debit card.

Picky eaters have to learn the financial consequences of being like that. Extra food not on the food plan is a luxury/fun splurge.

[Anonymous]

A reasonable amount is whatever my son earned at his summer job. Nothing teaches you how to pace yourself than that.

[Anonymous]

My son’s earnings from his summer job is what he’s using for spending money . At orientation, they told us how to really make use of the meal card swipes and take snacks, drinks, etc back to your dorm room fridge because the swipes disappear at end of week if not used. He really needs to become shrewd with his money, because once he goes through it, his well is dry. Like PP, there are so many activities and clubs on campus, no need to spend so much as a freshman. We will pay for books, travel home if using public transit. Otherwise he just usually gives gas money to his friend for the drive. I even mentioned perhaps a part time job on campus next semester! Besides spending money, a job can be social.

[Anonymous]

$500/month. Has the 13 meal plan and purchases the rest of meal and groceries with monthly allowance.

[Anonymous]

Monthly spending money was based on what they earned over the summer. Divided weeks by the amount earned and determined that was what they could use. We supply funds for books, travel home and if there are medical needs. They are on the dining plan and don't have car, so anything else they need to budget for. We will have to adjust next year when they go off the meal plan, but that conversation will be based on their summer earnings. Currently, our student is spending about $25 per week - I'm sure that will change over time.

[Anonymous]

Similar to the other pp’s, start low. If she needs more, she needs to justify. Your DD has a meal plan so Starbucks, a WaWa sandwich everyday isn’t an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Similar to the other pp’s, start low. If she needs more, she needs to justify. Your DD has a meal plan so Starbucks, a WaWa sandwich everyday isn’t an option.

No Wawa’s in Boston. 🥲

[Anonymous]

Kid is going to start college with about 13k in his account from working 4 summers as a lifeguard. We will be dolling it out in about $200/month increments. He will have a full meal plan, no car (not allowed on campus), and other minimal expenses.

[Anonymous]

We provide $50 a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid is going to start college with about 13k in his account from working 4 summers as a lifeguard. We will be dolling it out in about $200/month increments. He will have a full meal plan, no car (not allowed on campus), and other minimal expenses.

Why are you controlling what he earned?

[Anonymous]

Mine lives off campus on a partial meal plan. She covers all her fun spending and incidentals with money in her account earned from jobs, etc. So far she tells me 25 a week is plenty for food so we’ll see how that unfolds.