Parents, How Much $ Did/Will You Allocate for Allowance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every college includes about $3500 for personal expenses and books in the budget. Since they're not likely to spend more than $1000 for books, that works out to $2500 in miscellaneous expenses over 10 months or $250/month. If they get a work-study or part-time job, they can easily earn that themselves or use their summer earnings. If you're already paying $60k in tuition, fees, room and board, that's not a lot to ask for a student to pick up and assume responsibility for. If you do cover misc. expenses, give it to them in a lump sum and let them learn how to manage the money to last the whole year. If your child is already a self-motivated, well-organized adult, they'll want to earn some of their own money so they can be more independent and self-sufficient or just to gain real world experience and connections anyways.

My DD is high maintenance and going to a private college in an expensive city. We don't want her to work (she's bright but has some learning disabilities) and want her focus to be on school. She'll be on campus with a meal plan (and the food is good). $250 seems to be the amount she'd ask for and I feel it's too much. Or do college girls get regular manicures, blow outs, spray tans, Uber accounts, etc??

My college girl is at school in a major city. She gets enough money for a monthly bus pass. She doesn't need an Uber account. She only uses a taxi if it's pouring rain or she's trying to carry something either super heavy or cumbersome home - so MAYBE once a month. If she wants a manicure she can give herself one. I'm not giving her money for one unless she has a wedding to attend. Same with a blow out if she can't do it herself. Spray tanning is ridiculous unless you're regularly on tv.

She gets $200 a month and uses the money for food for her dorm room, toiletries, going to the movies/shows, gifts for friends/family, misc. PP, one thing we do is, if at the end of October she has $50 left from the $200 we gave her for that month, then come November she only gets $150 - to bring her up to $200. DD is at school to get an education, not to focus on her looks. Blow outs, manicures and spray tans on any sort of regular basis? Hell no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every college includes about $3500 for personal expenses and books in the budget. Since they're not likely to spend more than $1000 for books, that works out to $2500 in miscellaneous expenses over 10 months or $250/month. If they get a work-study or part-time job, they can easily earn that themselves or use their summer earnings. If you're already paying $60k in tuition, fees, room and board, that's not a lot to ask for a student to pick up and assume responsibility for. If you do cover misc. expenses, give it to them in a lump sum and let them learn how to manage the money to last the whole year. If your child is already a self-motivated, well-organized adult, they'll want to earn some of their own money so they can be more independent and self-sufficient or just to gain real world experience and connections anyways.

My DD is high maintenance and going to a private college in an expensive city. We don't want her to work (she's bright but has some learning disabilities) and want her focus to be on school. She'll be on campus with a meal plan (and the food is good). $250 seems to be the amount she'd ask for and I feel it's too much. Or do college girls get regular manicures, blow outs, spray tans, Uber accounts, etc??

My college girl is at school in a major city. She gets enough money for a monthly bus pass. She doesn't need an Uber account. She only uses a taxi if it's pouring rain or she's trying to carry something either super heavy or cumbersome home - so MAYBE once a month. If she wants a manicure she can give herself one. I'm not giving her money for one unless she has a wedding to attend. Same with a blow out if she can't do it herself. Spray tanning is ridiculous unless you're regularly on tv.

She gets $200 a month and uses the money for food for her dorm room, toiletries, going to the movies/shows, gifts for friends/family, misc. PP, one thing we do is, if at the end of October she has $50 left from the $200 we gave her for that month, then come November she only gets $150 - to bring her up to $200. DD is at school to get an education, not to focus on her looks. Blow outs, manicures and spray tans on any sort of regular basis? Hell no.

This sounds reasonable but do you also send the occasional care package? I have a friend who pretty much mirrors your budget but if in Costco might pick up a mega packet of soap and send it.

[Anonymous]

This sounds reasonable but I'd prefer that if she doesn't spent all the money one month that she's free to save up funds and spend them on special occasions -- like an outfit for an occasion or something else that doesn't come up weekly or monthly.

[Anonymous]

When I was in college two sisters received a lump sum at the beginning of each semester. They bought a used car and kept (maintained) it at college for three years without their parents knowledge. I still laugh about their disposable income compared to mine.

[Anonymous]

$50/wk with a meal plan living on campus, $150/wk if off campus. Off campus utilities are additional. Nether of mine had a car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$50/wk with a meal plan living on campus, $150/wk if off campus. Off campus utilities are additional. Nether of mine had a car.

Would you adjust the amount for girl vs boy (my DD spends a ton more for health and beauty items--which frankly, I wish DS would spend more on) or urban campus which costs more to go out and get around?

[Anonymous]

Buy DD the supplies at the beginning of each semester and stick to the $50 per week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy DD the supplies at the beginning of each semester and stick to the $50 per week.

Along these lines, does anyone know of a health and beauty mail order site (like Amazon but much more limited to health and beauty "necessities"). If such a site existed, I'd consider opening an account and letting her order things from there as she needs them.