[FallinWoman]

My DSD just headed off to college. We are still discussing money with her. I am trying to figure out what a reasonable amount of spending money per month would be.

Here is what is already paid for...
~Room and board, including all meals, utilities, etc.
~We pay for her phone
~I sent her off with a stockpile of shampoo/conditioner, contact solution, deodorant, toothpaste, face cleanser and moisturizer, body wash, laundry detergent, fabric softener, and tampons. So she shouldn't have to spend a dime on that stuff. I will continue to stockpile that stuff when it is on sale and I expect her to restock at Christmas
~ She does not have a car and there is no public transportation in her tiny college town

We are not a rich family. Money is tight around here. So i don't want her to be able to afford to go buy $200 shoes when the whim strikes.

So...What would you think would be a reasonable amount per month? It has been 20 years since I was a freshman in college so I can't remember the money situation!

Thanks!

[Dixana]

They make a prepaid visa that gives you 2 cards. One for her, one for you guys.
It costs $6 a month to keep them active.
I would personally give her one of those, put $25-50 a month on it and if she wants/needs something else for herself she can call and ask you to put more money on it.

[mom2more]

Honestly if you are already paying for all that why can't she get a part time job for spending money? Most college towns have lots of places nearby.

[~*Nicole*~]

I agree with the above. I remember my 1st semester of college and my parents did almost exactly what you're doing. They paid for all the classes and books for classes, food (in the dorm food court), phone, and all the basic essentials. They also gave me $200+ a month to spend and I know that was way too much. I think I would have been a lot more studious if I didn't have all that money at my disposal! I think that less is best in this situation. She shouldn't need much above and beyond what you're giving her and if she needs extra money she can probably find a PT job close to campus for a little extra cash.

ETA: Don't forget that credit card companies LOVE to target young college kids that have brand new credit to screw up. If you haven't, I would definitely talk to her about that and how to use credit cards responsibly if she chooses to get one.

[~Rae~]

I'd do about $400 per school year, so about $50 a month the months she's on campus. She'll want to buy snacks, cheap lunches off campus with friends, scantrons, materials for projects etc.

I'd teach her how to use a debit card, if she doesn't know already, & open a bank account with hers & our name on it. I'd deposit $200 a semester & tell her there is NOT more from where that came from so budget $50 a month.

[marieks85]

I agree $50 should be enough considering you are already paying everything else. If she needs more she should find a job on campus. At my school there are TONS of part time student jobs that are flexible and easy to get. She should look into that if she needs more than the $50.

[Dee Darling 3]

I agree $50 is more than enough. I would highly encourage her to get a part time job for spending cash. Over the year, I would wean her from your spending cash, so that she earns that money.

[w292737]

I'm over generous I guess. I think 50 is too low. One night out at movies with friends and she's spent half on a ticket and popcorn.

Will she be working. If not and you guys don't want her to work then I'd say more. Maybe 50 every 2 weeks for her to learn to budget.

Otherwise have her get a part time job and give her 25 every weeks.

[Mama.Angie]

Things are more expensive here in Canada... I would be sending my child with about $100 a week honestly. But I really think location plays a big factor in this case.

[~Rae~]

^ $400 a month? Holy smoke, that's a windfall!! That's a small fortune to a college student here. You could lease a small apartment with a roommate for that kind of money.
My parents gave me enough that I could entertain myself and eat junk, but not every day, or every week for that matter. Freshman were required to buy a meal ticket, so 3 meals a day were covered if you ate in the cafeteria. I think most colleges are like that out here. I used the little allowance I got from my parents for scantrons, sodas, occasional movie ticket ($4 matinees), and a cheap lunch at McDonalds here and there. No I couldn't buy what I wanted when I wanted, but it taught me responsibility, to delay gratification, and that I needed to get another pt job close to school.

[~*Nicole*~]

$400 is definitely a small fortune to a young college student! Just remember that college kids like to have fun and sometimes drink beer and $400 can buy a LOT of beer...

[Admin-Rachel]

I think $50 is plenty if you cover everything else.

[Mama.Angie]

I think my key thing still stands... difference in locations. When I was in college I was renting an apartment that cost $1200. I couldn't imagine living in a place with someone for $400! That's a DREAM! McDonalds is fine, but I wasn't keen on eating there all the time. Not counting food that was paid for by someone else, if I wanted to go out for a decent meal and a drink or two (not boozing by any means) I'd be looking at at least $80 a week here.

[babi_lovin11]

If food, rent and everything else is paid for then 50 bucks every 2 weeks is what I would consider. My first thing would to tell them to get a PT job...I went to school with a baby and did it 100% on my own and I lived on little money so I know its possible...

[Mod-navywifey2003]

Wow everyone is so generous my parents paid for school and that was it but I went to a local school,lived at home but I still had to work as well. I was responsible for my phone bill, car insurance, ect. I think 50 is more than generous considering everything else you are paying for.

[AniLand]

Oh my gosh. I wish I had parents like you. I paid for everything. Tuition, rent, food, everything. I intend to help Will a lot more than I was helped, but he can get a job if he needs spending money. I think it's important for them to start learning how to budget and appreciate the things they can afford on their own.

[babi_lovin11]

I also will only help out for one year like that, the first year will be scary and new but after that they need to be independent, if they want to live rent free than they are more than welcome to stay at home while going to school, but I won't pay there rent forever lol.

[joonzgurl]

Based on what you are describing, I would be giving her $40 a week I think.

[lrowe70]

Wow, guess it depends on your region.
Around here $50/month will only pay for Top Ramen and a case of bottled water. Unless there is a Dollar Theater, forget going to the movies.

Back when I started undergrad(1994-gah almost 20 years!) my parents paid for all you described, and I had a bit of cash saved from summer work(about 2 grand). That plus graduation money plus a few hundred bucks on special occasions was what I used for the first year. Maybe 3 grand total-with over half being my own earned money.

The next year got a job on campus and got by on about $150 a month.

Does she, or has she, worked? Now may be a good time to start.