College student monthly budget

[Anonymous]

1000/month. He has the basic meal plan (like 5 meals a week or something) and this is for groceries, necessities, spending, entertainment.

[Anonymous]

Freshman year my DS prob spent $200 a month average even though we gave more. We are into the second year off campus and spending has increased to $600 average a month with groceries, gas, and going out with friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

$100 per week

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1000/month. He has the basic meal plan (like 5 meals a week or something) and this is for groceries, necessities, spending, entertainment.

How can they afford to go out on that amount? That is barely covers 2 nights a month out.

[Anonymous]

Going out on most campuses costs zero. You walk to the dorm or house having a party, drink and dance for free, then walk home.

[Anonymous]

Give them what you want to give, let them figure out everything.

They can work or save or make do.

I’m very serious.

They will always always say it’s not enough. It’s up to you to assess if it’s not enough for their wants or needs. Done.

[Anonymous]

Nothing for food since they have a full meal plan. They use their own money to eat out or doordash since that’s a luxury. Nothing for entertainment. There’s a ton of free entertainment on college campuses. Beer money, Top Golf, bowling, movies, concerts is on them. This is a great time to learn to budget. I do start them off with dorm necessities and toiletries. Of course we pay for medical expenses. And they are lucky that we cover their tuition, room and board so they can graduate debt free.

[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.

I’m struggling to understand why you are controlling your college student’s earned money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’m struggling to understand why you are controlling your college student’s earned money.

An 18y old with 13k in his bank account thinks he is RICH and will spend it like he is (right now in HS he uses his saved allowance money for 'fun' money and since getting a car and a license has blown through a several hundred this summer on chipotle, panera, cava, etc.) That 13k could go in a year. As he gets older, we will loosen the reigns on it as he matures. I have talked to several families and we aren't the only ones doing this.

[Anonymous]

Also in Boston - we pay full meal plan, plus tuition, room, board, books and travel home for holidays. The rest is on her, from summer job money (going out with friends, ordering good delivery, flying to visit a friend from HS at their college, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’m struggling to understand why you are controlling your college student’s earned money.

An 18y old with 13k in his bank account thinks he is RICH and will spend it like he is (right now in HS he uses his saved allowance money for 'fun' money and since getting a car and a license has blown through a several hundred this summer on chipotle, panera, cava, etc.) That 13k could go in a year. As he gets older, we will loosen the reigns on it as he matures. I have talked to several families and we aren't the only ones doing this.

He’s presumably 18 years old. I get doling out any money you are gifting him, but not letting him access his own money? Does he not have control of his own bank account? This is so bizarre.

[Anonymous]

My 18 yr old has around $3k or so in his checking account which is money he earned over the last three summers. I almost want him to blow through it by mid year so he can learn that I’m not giving him anymore. He’s one of those kids who has to learn from experience. I pay for tuition, room and board along with toiletries etc.

I cannot imagine doling out they money he earned. It’s literally like spoon feeding a baby. Very strange. Doesn’t he have access to his money in his account?

[Anonymous]

No limits. We pay for everything and my kid takes supplies from home because he lives 40 minutes away. BUT, he is quite frugal and does not have expensive taste or bad habits. His friends are also good kids so the company he keeps is very nice.

[Anonymous]

About $800-$1000 a month

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing for food since they have a full meal plan. They use their own money to eat out or doordash since that’s a luxury. Nothing for entertainment. There’s a ton of free entertainment on college campuses. Beer money, Top Golf, bowling, movies, concerts is on them. This is a great time to learn to budget. I do start them off with dorm necessities and toiletries. Of course we pay for medical expenses. And they are lucky that we cover their tuition, room and board so they can graduate debt free.

That is us pretty much too. DC is very frugal. More than me.
School supplies like loose leaf rings, new mouse when the old breaks are fine, but even then, I know DC is looking for an inexpensive alternative and good at finding it.
DC has a campus job for the occasional eating out or ice cream but is saving big time for their study abroad next year.