<p>"What school has a $9000 meal plan???</p>
<p>That makes sense to me. Last year when we did our taxes we needed to know the breakdown between tuition and R&B for the tax credit and S’s school only lists a comprehensive fee. We were told by the school his grant covered his tuition - leaving a $19K R&B fee - and since everyone is on the same, unlimited meal plan - if broken out even more would probably be close to that price.</p>
<p>^^^…being very thankful for the $8000 Room and Board at D’s school!!!</p>
<p>In that poster’s case, however, that is not the standard meal plan, it’s an extra, add on.</p>
<p>^ I bet, but at the lottery school your son applied to I would think the R&B will be more in line with the higher figure.</p>
<p>“Your child would have done better at many other schools that she or he applied to smaller LAC.” I’m not quite sure about the syntax there, but I believe you are saying we could have found a cheaper option than a UC, in my case. Yes, of course, but a) she wanted to go to a big university, so we indulged her on that point, and b) as it turns out, I am infinitely grateful that she ended up in the same city where we live, because I got really sick in her sophomore year, and thank God she is close by. That one we couldn’t have imagined.</p>
<p>I guess the bottom line is she didn’t drop out or fail any classes, she is graduating early, she has no student loan debt, and she is happy, despite the rotten circumstances, because her University was the right choice for her… So Bob’s your uncle. Who knows what would have happened if she had gone away to a small faraway LAC just because it would have been a bit cheaper? (I doubt she would have gotten a free ride anywhere- she’s not that special, except to me, of course).</p>
<p>^^not really, only about $11,000.</p>
<p>Even for standard meal plan, it’s more than 800/month as they really only eat there for less than 7 months (8 months - 6 weeks of break)</p>
<p>Amen! To Tptshorty, it worked out well, and that’s what we hope for with ours. A lot of factors play into whether a choice is the right one or not, and luck is in there too. It makes me feel so good when it works out. I wasn’t thrilled with any of my kid’s college picks. Definitely not what I would have picked, but it was their choices within certain constraints. It’s mostly worked out despite some problems. My feelings about it was not a problem at all.</p>
<p>tigerdad14–most schools run from Sept to May, that is 10 months, probably 9 taking out breaks. Even with the breaks $5600 is less then $800/ month. Even at 8 months it’s $700/month which works out to be about $7/meal. That really isn’t expensive.</p>
<p>mid sept to mid may = 8 months
8 months - 6 weeks < 7 months</p>
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<p>Expensive is a relative term. If you’re from a family that hardly ever eats out, a budget for $21 a day on food per person is pretty extravagant.</p>
<p>And if you’re from a family that NEVER throws out food and uses vegetable peels for soup and mushy tomatoes for sauce-- $7 for a meal that your kid ends up skipping (too tired to wake up for breakfast, in a lab between 6-8 pm every night so can’t make it to dinner) the meal plan is beyond extravagant!</p>
<p>I’m with tpshorty, who spoke to how vulnerable most of us are to sudden changes in circumstance, due to injury, illness, unexpected death, etc. We learned this as young parents, as DH was diagnosed with a rare cancer (at age 39) when our kids were small (elementary school-age). DH survived, but the lesson stayed with us: we lived life such that we could survive on only one income, if needed, at any time: minimal to no debt, a paid off house…a small, sensible footprint. </p>
<p>DD went to a UC and graduated in 3.5 years, with no debt. She’s now applying to grad school in a health area, something that might not be as attractive or viable if she had accumulated UG debt. </p>
<p>DS was accepted to USC School of Cinematic Arts (#1 in his field), but no aid was offered (a profile school!!). Instead of tapping into equity or taking massive loans, DS wisely <em>insisted</em> on attending the less prestigious private (rated #13 or so in his field, still a fantastic program) that gave him huge merit money (making it significantly cheaper than out public UCs). Fortunately, DS knew before applying that that FA was a crucial factor at all the privates, and that it was not in our family’s ethos to go out on a limb in that manner. It was nevertheless a wonderful thing to see him conclude on his own that no one program warranted placing an albatross around the family’s neck. Getting into SCA felt like a big deal, after all–I felt myself going a bit starry-eyed and razzle-dazzle at the glamour and excitement of it all. I can see how it happens to families when kids get admitted to fancy or big name, prestigious schools. </p>
<p>Anyway, DS is at the smaller private now and very happy with his choice. He pays all his own expenses (beyond tuition/dorm) via work study and freelancing in his field. </p>
<p>So, for this upper-middle class family–one that knows first-hand how the ground can crumble beneath us–there are no regrets. If we had tapped into equity or taken loans to do full pay, instead of the highly discounted, smaller merit school, I wouldn’t be sleeping at night now (nor would DS). The rug can be pulled out at any time; things that seem almost-do-able in the excitement of college acceptance season may not be–an instant later. This tough but valuable lesson will stay with my kids through their lifetimes. </p>
<p>One more observation: having his father diagnosed with a deadly cancer when DS was only six also taught him to appreciate <em>everything</em> and to sieze the day. Life is short and it is very important to take risks in life–just not financial ones that saddle one with massive debt at age 22!</p>
<p>Gladiator: Your kids sound fantastic. Good job! Yet another example of how hardships can strengthen kids. TPShorty - Your kid sounds like a good kid who is lucky too. I found it refreshing that you described your kid as normal, instead of unusually exceptional in multiple ways like many CC parents. I’ve always thought it was a little funny that CC parents claim their kids, their high schools, etc. are so unusual on CC, when there are so many posts claiming exactly the same thing.</p>
<p>^Thanks, Neon. He is fantastic, perhaps just not “unusually” so, by CC standards, LOL!</p>
<p>Neon, you went through something similar–with sudden illness in your spouse. I empathize, and it does make the kids stronger and wiser, whether they like it or not! :)</p>
<p>When my son was on the required full meal plan, I paid for the meal plan and he had to pay for any other meals with his own summer job earnings. He ate most of his meals under the meal plan.</p>
<p>When he moved to an apartment, I said I would pay for his grocery purchases, but he had to pay for his restaurant meals out of his summer earnings. He has mainly been cooking his own meals.</p>
<p>Remember the first rule of economics - incentives work.</p>
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<p>So first you said you were commenting because she was telling everyone they were spending too much on their kids. Now you say you were commenting because you’re a cheapskate, too. I think most people can see you were commenting as a brag about how little you are paying. It’s disingenuous because that’s a choice you’re making. You’ve said your daughter can’t go to her first choice because you won’t pay the cost or sign for loans. The same with your son if he gets into his first choice. Your oldest went for a year and I believe you’ve said he paid for everything himself. And let me emphasize, again, that’s fine. I’m not criticizing the choice, I’m criticizing the brag. </p>
<p>My problem was really with the dishonesty. People come to these forums for help. It’s not helpful to claim to put four kids through college for less than 100k when that’s not true.</p>
<p>Some great parents here. It’s when adversity strikes that one can see how good the decisions one made were, in dealing with the possibilities. And dealing with the “wrong” decisions takes grace too. I’m learning, but not so gracefully, I’m afraid. </p>
<p>With my last two, I paid so much and the rest they covered on their own. They picked their own meal plans–i believe they went to the rock bottom option. I always recommended that they have some meal plan so if they are ever flat broke and hungry, at least that option is there.</p>
<p>Somebody’s got somebody’s number! 
Right, MN?</p>
<p>Incentives do indeed work, charlieschm! We contracted with our freshman son that he could take his car to campus in spring <em>if:</em> he earned 3.5 or above first semester, missed no classes (unless ill, etc), and demonstrated to us in a written budget plan that he could save $150 to pay for the parking permit and pay for all his gas–via work study/freelance earnings. He did it! (I had been a bit worried about his getting up on time every day for early classes, as he definitely had the teenage-reverse-biorhythm thing going on last year. But he’s tackled it and done well). </p>
<p>So, last week DS came home to pick up his car. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him more proud. The car is not a Beemer, by the way. It’s the same Volvo we brought him home from the hospital in as a newborn. It now has 304,000 miles on it, but runs dependably. DS knows he can keep the car on campus as long as all contracted contingencies continue. If grades drop, the car comes home. Last year’s decision to decline the glitzy full pay school was a similar lesson about the value of a dollar. It’s not easy, but so far, so good. He is proving to be very focused in school and resourceful! </p>
<p>Meal plan had worked out great for DS–economical and healthy. </p>
<p>And this is an aside, but how on earth does someone with 18 posts (kat444) garner such an impressive array of green reputation blocks? I appreciated the posts and all, but must not understand how it works.</p>