<p>I made a deal with my mom that the money I made from working would be “mine” and that I could spend it as I wished. I also offered to cover the cost of my own textbooks(thus also giving myself the responsibility of trying to buy them and sell them for maximum profit online) and random fees that might come up. Basically, she pays the bill sent by the University and my plane tickets, and I cover the rest. </p>
<p>This year I spent around $2100 for my entire freshman year(books included). I spent this money on textbooks, supplies(lab goggles, for example), detergent, shampoo, gifts for friends, the occasional dinner out for birthdays or a special occasion(girls night out for Valentine’s Day), gifts for my parents, clothes, the cost to get into random shows and parties on campus(usually $3 each), membership fees for clubs, and a somewhat expensive trip up to Boston for a swing dancing workshop that included the cost of transportation(train&cab&shuttle=$$$), two nights of a shared hotel room, and the workshop itself. </p>
<p>Being on my own budget really forced me to take a different approach to clothes. When I was in high school, I shopped at Banana Republic and Nordstroms and my mom would pay for things so I never even LOOKED at the price tags. I was kind of in shock when I visited it in college and looked at price tags and realized that oh my, that would cause a large hit to my budget. I started to shop at a second-hand store near campus and was delighted to find all sorts of cute items at around $25 or $30.</p>
<p>I think I did a pretty good job spending money this year. The major cost was that workshop–a couple hundred dollars, but I averaged $300/a month(though much lower if you take that workshop out). Unless your child is going off to NYC, $300/month should be plenttttyy.</p>