How much does your child spend at college?

[Anonymous]

My kids cover their own costs. Some books I pay for, but mostly it’s up to them.

[Anonymous]

We gave our $500/semester at William and Mary for spending money. We covered everything else.

[Anonymous]

Kid transfers $200/month from his savings (from 4y of summer jobs) for entertainment purposes (food off campus, Ubers, gifts for friends, etc.) We transfer $100 for personal care items/medication co-pays/etc.

[Anonymous]

$400 per month for groceries (no meal plan), dining out, drugstore, etc.

[Anonymous]

My college kid has summer jobs and a 20 hr/week campus job, so he pays for his own expenses. I see his credit card statement, and I'd say he spends $200-500 a month, on target runs, eating out with friends, going to a sporting event, occasional uber, etc. he is on the full meal plan. i know that sometimes the credit card bill looks larger than what he spent, because he picks up a $150 dinner with a group, and they all venmo him the money they owe for it. my kid's school is near a town and has a larger city not too far away, so he has off-campus options for activities and shopping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are on a meal plan and live on campus. We limit them to roughly $1,000 month spend for things like frat dues, meals out, clothing purchases, ubers, etc.

OOF. Meal plan AND $1,000/month?

[Anonymous]

Per UMD website, $1200 per year for personal expenses. But IMO a freshman should be able to work a few hours per week.

I also told my kids to save money while in HS from their jobs for personal expenses like going out. I pay for everything school related, books, housing, dining.. they pay for their fun and going out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are on a meal plan and live on campus. We limit them to roughly $1,000 month spend for things like frat dues, meals out, clothing purchases, ubers, etc.

OOF. Meal plan AND $1,000/month?

I guess they are wealthy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are on a meal plan and live on campus. We limit them to roughly $1,000 month spend for things like frat dues, meals out, clothing purchases, ubers, etc.

OOF. Meal plan AND $1,000/month?

I guess they are wealthy

In the pp's defense, those frat dues can be hundreds per month, and an Uber can be $25+ each way. Really depends on the school, location and wealth/culture of the student body for what's typical.

[Anonymous]

How can a kid spend only 500 per month. Do they never get chipotle or take an uber or go
To cvs for toiletries? Thats how much I spent in college in the early 90’s

[Anonymous]

$1200 per month. Apartment no meal plan. Why be in a big city if you can’t enjoy it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are on a meal plan and live on campus. We limit them to roughly $1,000 month spend for things like frat dues, meals out, clothing purchases, ubers, etc.

OOF. Meal plan AND $1,000/month?

That struck me too. High roller with the unearned money.

Those students are going to be a subset at every college. We chose earnings from summer jobs, whether an internship or waiting tables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can a kid spend only 500 per month. Do they never get chipotle or take an uber or go
To cvs for toiletries? Thats how much I spent in college in the early 90’s

That’s ridiculous. You don’t need to take an Uber to get toiletries. Order them online. Chipotle is like $12. They aren’t eating at Chipotle every day.

I don’t know how much my kid spends. He spends his money from working. He wasn’t spoiled growing up. He needed to use up a few meal points so he got his first ever Starbucks drink and said it was crap and a waste of money. Meanwhile some students are buying multiple drinks per day there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can a kid spend only 500 per month. Do they never get chipotle or take an uber or go
To cvs for toiletries? Thats how much I spent in college in the early 90’s

? 500 per month is enough for all that. If you are spending more, you are living large.

Amazon also delivers. No need for uber. DC takes the bus to the grocery store, or walks.

[Anonymous]

There is no right answer and depends a lot on where they go to school.