How much do you give your freshmen DD in allowance per month?

[Anonymous]

$0

[Anonymous]

$500 per month

[Anonymous]

$600 per month. I think it's too much; her father thinks it's the right amount. So far, she's spent about $77 since August 22. I stand by $600/month is too much.

Most of her purchases have been at Safeway and she went to the movies once.

[Anonymous]

$100 a week spending $. Plus she saved a bunch of money from working throughout her senior year and summer before college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All these posters are judgmental in ways that are unhelpful.

Yes, $1500 per month is a lot of money. But let's imagine she spends $250 per week on food (door dash or takeaway once per day, after tax and tip).

Then, it's $500 per month left: that's one set of highlights OR one pair of designer jeans, plus concession money at football games and ubers home from off campus parties.

So, OP, have a conversation with her about her budget. My guess is that she is going to spend every cent you give her. If you expect her to save/ have money for emergencies, discuss where she can reduce her spending.

This is a great comment because I genuinely can't tell if it's real.

PP: to be clear, I think it's crazy for a college student to be spending $350 per week on food. But some of them -- including many of the rich ones -- do. I think $200 jeans are not a necessity but many 20 years olds disagree. If OP's kid is hanging out with friends who have NO budget and can spend whatever they want each month, the DD needs to be made aware of her own family's situation and limits.

I don't have girls so I'm clueless about this, but do they really buy a new pair of $200 jeans every month?

No, and neither do they need monthly highlights. I’m 45 and fully gray and only get color every 6 weeks, with highlights every 3rd visit. I also only pay $200 and that includes the color too and a haircut. I’m not sure what all the Ubers are for either.

[Anonymous]

$8 per month plus pay for cell phone service & transportation.

[Anonymous]

I have a sophomore who was an athlete who had never had a HS or summer job, just some babysitting/gift type money when she left for college.

We gave $200/month for "fun money" in the debit account where we don't see the charges. Plus she has a credit card that I pay. It is hard to parse out because everything - prescriptions, books, toiletries, fast food, ubers, amazon orders, gas, activities, etc - is on that card, but it averaged about $1000 a month freshman year. She is in a urban area, but much less expensive than Boston/DC.

She is expected to pay for more on her own this year after having a summer job, but still gets the $200. I am definitely seeing less food spending and no manicures, which is one thing we said she had to pick up now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All these posters are judgmental in ways that are unhelpful.

Yes, $1500 per month is a lot of money. But let's imagine she spends $250 per week on food (door dash or takeaway once per day, after tax and tip).

Then, it's $500 per month left: that's one set of highlights OR one pair of designer jeans, plus concession money at football games and ubers home from off campus parties.

So, OP, have a conversation with her about her budget. My guess is that she is going to spend every cent you give her. If you expect her to save/ have money for emergencies, discuss where she can reduce her spending.

This is a great comment because I genuinely can't tell if it's real.

PP: to be clear, I think it's crazy for a college student to be spending $350 per week on food. But some of them -- including many of the rich ones -- do. I think $200 jeans are not a necessity but many 20 years olds disagree. If OP's kid is hanging out with friends who have NO budget and can spend whatever they want each month, the DD needs to be made aware of her own family's situation and limits.

I don't have girls so I'm clueless about this, but do they really buy a new pair of $200 jeans every month?

Jeans was an example. You can imagine that it would be easy to spend $200 per month on clothes if you had it: dress for a formal, new pair of boots, cashmere turtleneck, etc. If you love labels and you are used to wearing them, that's not a large clothing budget.

[Anonymous]

No 'allowance' per se, but our freshman has a savings from summer jobs and a credit card for extras like books, toiletries, food outside dining plan. Etc. She goes to school in a city. So far, i see about $30/week for uber-eats, $20/week snacks, some misc cvs charges, and at least 1 uber/week. During orientation week, I saw charges for some parties at city venues but that has now ceased. I'd say she's spending about 300 per month.

[Anonymous]

$0

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$0

Same. That's what the summer job was for. We pay for necessities. She pays for everything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We give DD who attends college in Boston $1500 a month to cover food (outside of the
meal plan), transportation, and her extras like clothing, hair & nails, entertainment, etc. We fund everything else. So far, since August she’s spent all of it each month and doesn’t have anymore left by the end of the month. Our older kids, all boys, got the same amount of money, but there was always a lot left over every month. To me, $1500 is more than enough so, I believe she’s overspending. How much is your DD getting per month?

I consider us pretty rich -- so much so that I want my DD not work for $ during the semester, but rather have time for schoolwork and ECs -- and we give her $400 per month (she's on a meal plan). My DH thinks this amount is insanely large.

I don't know what your DD is spending all the money on, but perhaps she's eating out a lot?

Drugs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dd doesn't really have a budget. Yes, I pay for hair, nails, clothes, concerts, food, travel. Flame away, but I don't really keep track. She works hard, has her own money from jobs & internships, and saves/invests it all. She already has a very well-paying job secured (she's a senior). I plan on paying for pricey things as gifts after graduation. The DC area is filled with people who are loaded. I'm surprised this type of spending is shocking to anyone. OUr entire social circle continues to pay for everything for college kids and heavily subsidizes young adults

Those heavily subsidized young adults turn out to be disappointing in the workforce. Be ware of coddling your kid. It has unintended consequences.

[Anonymous]

Freshman DD gets $500/mo.

[Anonymous]

$0. All needs covered plus the occasional want. When summer money runs out, will need to get a job. Has Amex for emergencies.