Reasonable allowance for college freshman?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t these coddled snowflakes live for a few months on Ramen or Cup Noodle?

THIS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will probably give mine $100 on her account for laundry, vending & occasional school cafe and another $100 for off-campus groceries for the semester.
She is on a full meal plan and has some flex dollars as a part of that account. I will make sure she is stocked to begin with.
Bus transit is free w/ student ID, no need for Uber unless she wants to
If she wants to dine out or buy clothes, she can pay for that with summer earnings. She already does. I will make sure she has some base wardrobe on me.
If her account is low, I can always help out.
If there is something she needs that is a necessity (health stuff, cleaning, toiletries, groceries), I can always transfer to her account, or she can order on my Amazon/Target if needed.
Books are covered by her FA.

I just don't get the $200/$250/mo allowances if the kid has a full meal plan. Though, I suppose if you have the money....

Um do you have a kid in college yet? The food is generally terrible and dining halls close by 8 pm often. My DD Often had to order Uber eats because she had just come up for air from classes and studying and the dining halls were closed. Plus sometimes she just wanted decent food.

PP here. I'm a professor. I occasionally eat with students. I know what college food is like. Also, you have no idea what the dining hall hours are at my kid's school. That's quite presumptive (& the "Um" lead in is just annoying). If the halls are closed, my DD will pick something up rather than make it cost potentially double with uber eats. Your DD doesn't have to order uber eats or miss dining hall hours frequently. Those are life choices. Mine has summer earnings if she wants "decent eats" occasionally. That's what she does here too.

I love how you think I’m presumptuous but you know nothing about my kid, when her dining hall closes, whether or not she has a car and any health issues that may be at play.

The OP asked for opinions on what people have done. People have offered different opinions and experiences. Why do you need to start an argument?

You are the only person talking about your kid or their dining hall. You presumed that too. PP said nothing about it. Yes, the OP asked for opinions, and PP offered theirs. Then you jumped on them with that lovely "Um" comment, and they responded. Now you want to be all "OP asked for opinions?" Take your own advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the kid. My two teens were raised the same, but have opposite attitudes about money. DD is a spender and I fully admit I haven't done the best job at teaching her to budget. So she will be getting $100/week to start and once she's handling that well, I'll switch to giving her a monthly allowance. It will have to cover her many "wants" (extra clothes, going to movies, eating out) and I will continue to cover needs like books, essential clothing, etc.

My younger child rarely spends any money and will probably be fine with $200/semester (and have some left over). You have to parent the child you have.

Why wouldn’t you give the non spender more money too so they can save some. Maybe the other one will realize after college they need to budget when their sibling has saved enough for a down payment on a house and they wasted it all on liquor and cheap clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the kid. My two teens were raised the same, but have opposite attitudes about money. DD is a spender and I fully admit I haven't done the best job at teaching her to budget. So she will be getting $100/week to start and once she's handling that well, I'll switch to giving her a monthly allowance. It will have to cover her many "wants" (extra clothes, going to movies, eating out) and I will continue to cover needs like books, essential clothing, etc.

My younger child rarely spends any money and will probably be fine with $200/semester (and have some left over). You have to parent the child you have.

+1 my kid has mental health issues so tends to require a bit more support than her sibling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t these coddled snowflakes live for a few months on Ramen or Cup Noodle?

THIS

Because poor nutrition impacts health. Poor health leads to poor brain functioning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will probably give mine $100 on her account for laundry, vending & occasional school cafe and another $100 for off-campus groceries for the semester.
She is on a full meal plan and has some flex dollars as a part of that account. I will make sure she is stocked to begin with.
Bus transit is free w/ student ID, no need for Uber unless she wants to
If she wants to dine out or buy clothes, she can pay for that with summer earnings. She already does. I will make sure she has some base wardrobe on me.
If her account is low, I can always help out.
If there is something she needs that is a necessity (health stuff, cleaning, toiletries, groceries), I can always transfer to her account, or she can order on my Amazon/Target if needed.
Books are covered by her FA.

I just don't get the $200/$250/mo allowances if the kid has a full meal plan. Though, I suppose if you have the money....

Um do you have a kid in college yet? The food is generally terrible and dining halls close by 8 pm often. My DD Often had to order Uber eats because she had just come up for air from classes and studying and the dining halls were closed. Plus sometimes she just wanted decent food.

PP here. I'm a professor. I occasionally eat with students. I know what college food is like. Also, you have no idea what the dining hall hours are at my kid's school. That's quite presumptive (& the "Um" lead in is just annoying). If the halls are closed, my DD will pick something up rather than make it cost potentially double with uber eats. Your DD doesn't have to order uber eats or miss dining hall hours frequently. Those are life choices. Mine has summer earnings if she wants "decent eats" occasionally. That's what she does here too.

I love how you think I’m presumptuous but you know nothing about my kid, when her dining hall closes, whether or not she has a car and any health issues that may be at play.

The OP asked for opinions on what people have done. People have offered different opinions and experiences. Why do you need to start an argument?

You are the only person talking about your kid or their dining hall. You presumed that too. PP said nothing about it. Yes, the OP asked for opinions, and PP offered theirs. Then you jumped on them with that lovely "Um" comment, and they responded. Now you want to be all "OP asked for opinions?" Take your own advice.

Stop pretending to be someone new. You brought it up your kid's dining hall situation and are now obsessed with my response which did not include any detail on my kid's dining hall. Good grief. Just let it go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of y’all’s children are going to have very hard first year working a real job and juggling house, car, kids, food, health.., unless you’re going to extend their allowance until they are 50?

Sweetie, may be true for your kid but this is certainly not how UMC kids roll.

NP: I think you were trying to be snarky here w/ the "sweetie," but it didn't really make sense. Bless your heart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of y’all’s children are going to have very hard first year working a real job and juggling house, car, kids, food, health.., unless you’re going to extend their allowance until they are 50?

If my DC graduates from college and doesn't have a job that allows them $200 a month in spending money, then something has gone very, very wrong. And I doubt it will be because they had an allowance in college.

NP If my DC entered college and doesn't have enough saved up for $200/month in spending money, or cannot work 5 hours/a week at a campus job to earn said spending money, and instead must rely on mommy to fund their Uber Eats and nights out with friends...something went very, very wrong.

If my DC went to college without merit scholarship and was doing a major that did not get them a high paying job right out of college...something went very wrong. Oh, and yes, they will have the monetary legup from us. I would rather they did an internship over a summer job.

wow, if your kid is in a major that leads to high paying jobs after college (so assuming tech, business, etc.) and can't find a handsomely paid summer internship in that field...indeed something went very very wrong. my engineering major is making $25/hour this summer...and this is at a small company...the "coveted" internships at big tech companies, banks, etc. pay much more than that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of y’all’s children are going to have very hard first year working a real job and juggling house, car, kids, food, health.., unless you’re going to extend their allowance until they are 50?

If my DC graduates from college and doesn't have a job that allows them $200 a month in spending money, then something has gone very, very wrong. And I doubt it will be because they had an allowance in college.

NP If my DC entered college and doesn't have enough saved up for $200/month in spending money, or cannot work 5 hours/a week at a campus job to earn said spending money, and instead must rely on mommy to fund their Uber Eats and nights out with friends...something went very, very wrong.

If my DC went to college without merit scholarship and was doing a major that did not get them a high paying job right out of college...something went very wrong. Oh, and yes, they will have the monetary legup from us. I would rather they did an internship over a summer job.

wow, if your kid is in a major that leads to high paying jobs after college (so assuming tech, business, etc.) and can't find a handsomely paid summer internship in that field...indeed something went very very wrong. my engineering major is making $25/hour this summer...and this is at a small company...the "coveted" internships at big tech companies, banks, etc. pay much more than that

Ugh people like you really think they are special. I am not the PP but my Ds has a Congressional internship and making a tiny stipend. So no, not all “coveted” internships pay a ton or even at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will probably give mine $100 on her account for laundry, vending & occasional school cafe and another $100 for off-campus groceries for the semester.
She is on a full meal plan and has some flex dollars as a part of that account. I will make sure she is stocked to begin with.
Bus transit is free w/ student ID, no need for Uber unless she wants to
If she wants to dine out or buy clothes, she can pay for that with summer earnings. She already does. I will make sure she has some base wardrobe on me.
If her account is low, I can always help out.
If there is something she needs that is a necessity (health stuff, cleaning, toiletries, groceries), I can always transfer to her account, or she can order on my Amazon/Target if needed.
Books are covered by her FA.

I just don't get the $200/$250/mo allowances if the kid has a full meal plan. Though, I suppose if you have the money....

Um do you have a kid in college yet? The food is generally terrible and dining halls close by 8 pm often. My DD Often had to order Uber eats because she had just come up for air from classes and studying and the dining halls were closed. Plus sometimes she just wanted decent food.

PP here. I'm a professor. I occasionally eat with students. I know what college food is like. Also, you have no idea what the dining hall hours are at my kid's school. That's quite presumptive (& the "Um" lead in is just annoying). If the halls are closed, my DD will pick something up rather than make it cost potentially double with uber eats. Your DD doesn't have to order uber eats or miss dining hall hours frequently. Those are life choices. Mine has summer earnings if she wants "decent eats" occasionally. That's what she does here too.

I love how you think I’m presumptuous but you know nothing about my kid, when her dining hall closes, whether or not she has a car and any health issues that may be at play.

The OP asked for opinions on what people have done. People have offered different opinions and experiences. Why do you need to start an argument?

NP. I'm the parent of a child with Crohn's disease (a health issue that requires numerous dietary modifications) and she does not have a car on campus. I would have had a convulsive fit of laughter if she told me she HAD to have extra money because she HAD to order Uber Eats instead of going to the dining hall. She eats at the dining hall like pretty much every other student...not at a school known for particularly good food, I'll add, and she has done just fine. Sure, there have been a few times it necessitated that she open her mouth and ask a dining hall employee to whip her up a piece of plain grilled chicken or a plain turkey burger without a bun when she didn't see any other options for protein out that would have worked for her that day...but such is life. I believe it to be part of my job as a parent, and especially as the parent of a child with chronic illness, is to teach my kid those basic self advocacy skills (which were mastered around oh, age 13) rather than have her throw her hands up and insist on throwing money away on say, Uber Eats.

Your kid is playing you, mama bear. If you want to send your kid money because she'd rather order take out than eat at the dining hall that's one thing, and...I guess no shame if that's what you WANT to do. But I just have to guffaw at the idea that any college student NEEDS Uber Eats because their schedule is just sooo busy that they can't possibly make it to the dining hall before 8pm. What did those poor poor college students do...oh...a decade ago before food delivery apps were widespread?

(Besides, for the vast majority of students -- my daughter included-- and myself for that matter, back in the day-- eating at the dining hall with classmates/floormates/friends is an integral, FUN part of the college experience. Sure, the food at most places isn't gourmet, but it's not really about the quality of the food...the camaraderie that takes place while sharing meals and interacting at the dining hall has always played a major role in facilitating the bonds and "college experience" that lead to happy students and alumni. I would feel really, really sad thinking about my kid missing out on all that bonding and community in favor of eating Uber Eats in her dorm or the library at 8:30pm.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of y’all’s children are going to have very hard first year working a real job and juggling house, car, kids, food, health.., unless you’re going to extend their allowance until they are 50?

If my DC graduates from college and doesn't have a job that allows them $200 a month in spending money, then something has gone very, very wrong. And I doubt it will be because they had an allowance in college.

NP If my DC entered college and doesn't have enough saved up for $200/month in spending money, or cannot work 5 hours/a week at a campus job to earn said spending money, and instead must rely on mommy to fund their Uber Eats and nights out with friends...something went very, very wrong.

If my DC went to college without merit scholarship and was doing a major that did not get them a high paying job right out of college...something went very wrong. Oh, and yes, they will have the monetary legup from us. I would rather they did an internship over a summer job.

wow, if your kid is in a major that leads to high paying jobs after college (so assuming tech, business, etc.) and can't find a handsomely paid summer internship in that field...indeed something went very very wrong. my engineering major is making $25/hour this summer...and this is at a small company...the "coveted" internships at big tech companies, banks, etc. pay much more than that

You sound insane

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of y’all’s children are going to have very hard first year working a real job and juggling house, car, kids, food, health.., unless you’re going to extend their allowance until they are 50?

If my DC graduates from college and doesn't have a job that allows them $200 a month in spending money, then something has gone very, very wrong. And I doubt it will be because they had an allowance in college.

NP If my DC entered college and doesn't have enough saved up for $200/month in spending money, or cannot work 5 hours/a week at a campus job to earn said spending money, and instead must rely on mommy to fund their Uber Eats and nights out with friends...something went very, very wrong.

If my DC went to college without merit scholarship and was doing a major that did not get them a high paying job right out of college...something went very wrong. Oh, and yes, they will have the monetary legup from us. I would rather they did an internship over a summer job.

wow, if your kid is in a major that leads to high paying jobs after college (so assuming tech, business, etc.) and can't find a handsomely paid summer internship in that field...indeed something went very very wrong. my engineering major is making $25/hour this summer...and this is at a small company...the "coveted" internships at big tech companies, banks, etc. pay much more than that

Ugh people like you really think they are special. I am not the PP but my Ds has a Congressional internship and making a tiny stipend. So no, not all “coveted” internships pay a ton or even at all.

Ok. Congrats to her. I was responding to a post that brought up majors that lead to "high paying jobs right out of college." Do Congressional internships generally lead to high paying jobs out of college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will probably give mine $100 on her account for laundry, vending & occasional school cafe and another $100 for off-campus groceries for the semester.
She is on a full meal plan and has some flex dollars as a part of that account. I will make sure she is stocked to begin with.
Bus transit is free w/ student ID, no need for Uber unless she wants to
If she wants to dine out or buy clothes, she can pay for that with summer earnings. She already does. I will make sure she has some base wardrobe on me.
If her account is low, I can always help out.
If there is something she needs that is a necessity (health stuff, cleaning, toiletries, groceries), I can always transfer to her account, or she can order on my Amazon/Target if needed.
Books are covered by her FA.

I just don't get the $200/$250/mo allowances if the kid has a full meal plan. Though, I suppose if you have the money....

Um do you have a kid in college yet? The food is generally terrible and dining halls close by 8 pm often. My DD Often had to order Uber eats because she had just come up for air from classes and studying and the dining halls were closed. Plus sometimes she just wanted decent food.

PP here. I'm a professor. I occasionally eat with students. I know what college food is like. Also, you have no idea what the dining hall hours are at my kid's school. That's quite presumptive (& the "Um" lead in is just annoying). If the halls are closed, my DD will pick something up rather than make it cost potentially double with uber eats. Your DD doesn't have to order uber eats or miss dining hall hours frequently. Those are life choices. Mine has summer earnings if she wants "decent eats" occasionally. That's what she does here too.

I love how you think I’m presumptuous but you know nothing about my kid, when her dining hall closes, whether or not she has a car and any health issues that may be at play.

The OP asked for opinions on what people have done. People have offered different opinions and experiences. Why do you need to start an argument?

NP. I'm the parent of a child with Crohn's disease (a health issue that requires numerous dietary modifications) and she does not have a car on campus. I would have had a convulsive fit of laughter if she told me she HAD to have extra money because she HAD to order Uber Eats instead of going to the dining hall. She eats at the dining hall like pretty much every other student...not at a school known for particularly good food, I'll add, and she has done just fine. Sure, there have been a few times it necessitated that she open her mouth and ask a dining hall employee to whip her up a piece of plain grilled chicken or a plain turkey burger without a bun when she didn't see any other options for protein out that would have worked for her that day...but such is life. I believe it to be part of my job as a parent, and especially as the parent of a child with chronic illness, is to teach my kid those basic self advocacy skills (which were mastered around oh, age 13) rather than have her throw her hands up and insist on throwing money away on say, Uber Eats.

Your kid is playing you, mama bear. If you want to send your kid money because she'd rather order take out than eat at the dining hall that's one thing, and...I guess no shame if that's what you WANT to do. But I just have to guffaw at the idea that any college student NEEDS Uber Eats because their schedule is just sooo busy that they can't possibly make it to the dining hall before 8pm. What did those poor poor college students do...oh...a decade ago before food delivery apps were widespread?

(Besides, for the vast majority of students -- my daughter included-- and myself for that matter, back in the day-- eating at the dining hall with classmates/floormates/friends is an integral, FUN part of the college experience. Sure, the food at most places isn't gourmet, but it's not really about the quality of the food...the camaraderie that takes place while sharing meals and interacting at the dining hall has always played a major role in facilitating the bonds and "college experience" that lead to happy students and alumni. I would feel really, really sad thinking about my kid missing out on all that bonding and community in favor of eating Uber Eats in her dorm or the library at 8:30pm.)

NP...Can't believe you even took the time to write this, what a waste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of y’all’s children are going to have very hard first year working a real job and juggling house, car, kids, food, health.., unless you’re going to extend their allowance until they are 50?

If my DC graduates from college and doesn't have a job that allows them $200 a month in spending money, then something has gone very, very wrong. And I doubt it will be because they had an allowance in college.

NP If my DC entered college and doesn't have enough saved up for $200/month in spending money, or cannot work 5 hours/a week at a campus job to earn said spending money, and instead must rely on mommy to fund their Uber Eats and nights out with friends...something went very, very wrong.

If my DC went to college without merit scholarship and was doing a major that did not get them a high paying job right out of college...something went very wrong. Oh, and yes, they will have the monetary legup from us. I would rather they did an internship over a summer job.

wow, if your kid is in a major that leads to high paying jobs after college (so assuming tech, business, etc.) and can't find a handsomely paid summer internship in that field...indeed something went very very wrong. my engineering major is making $25/hour this summer...and this is at a small company...the "coveted" internships at big tech companies, banks, etc. pay much more than that

Ugh people like you really think they are special. I am not the PP but my Ds has a Congressional internship and making a tiny stipend. So no, not all “coveted” internships pay a ton or even at all.

Ok. Congrats to her. I was responding to a post that brought up majors that lead to "high paying jobs right out of college." Do Congressional internships generally lead to high paying jobs out of college?

Girl just stop

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of y’all’s children are going to have very hard first year working a real job and juggling house, car, kids, food, health.., unless you’re going to extend their allowance until they are 50?

If my DC graduates from college and doesn't have a job that allows them $200 a month in spending money, then something has gone very, very wrong. And I doubt it will be because they had an allowance in college.

NP If my DC entered college and doesn't have enough saved up for $200/month in spending money, or cannot work 5 hours/a week at a campus job to earn said spending money, and instead must rely on mommy to fund their Uber Eats and nights out with friends...something went very, very wrong.

If my DC went to college without merit scholarship and was doing a major that did not get them a high paying job right out of college...something went very wrong. Oh, and yes, they will have the monetary legup from us. I would rather they did an internship over a summer job.

wow, if your kid is in a major that leads to high paying jobs after college (so assuming tech, business, etc.) and can't find a handsomely paid summer internship in that field...indeed something went very very wrong. my engineering major is making $25/hour this summer...and this is at a small company...the "coveted" internships at big tech companies, banks, etc. pay much more than that

Sure, they get money from internship but why should they be spending that? They can put it in their retirement savings, and continue using our money. We are not hurting for money and it is a reward to them for doing well. Once they are firmly on a career path and earning good amount of money, they can start paying.