<p>Dear posters,</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great ideas. </p>
<p>S is working part time this summer and will earn $600-800 which will be his spending money for the whole year. Told him I expect there to be some left. Will not have a car. We’ll take care of travel home, books, necessary clothes, and all his musical supplies, music, repairs, etc. He’s on our cell phone plan. </p>
<p>S once complained in HS that friend’s mother bought him expensive clothes/designer jeans and S’s clothes all came from Target/Wal-Mart. I pointed out that he had designer instruments (several) and we paid for $80-100 / wk in music lessons. A typical order for reeds is $250. If said I’d be glad to switch and buy better clothes if he wanted to forego the rest…needless to say, S dropped that subject. </p>
<p>S has had own cc since his first away summer band camp after soph yr. It is useful because I can see whether he’s spending for “unauthorized” items, tho I can’t get him to save receipts (*like H). </p>
<p>What about having a local checking acct in the college town or one at home. We just opened one at home. For one-time $15 fee, the ATM-debit card can be used anywhere in the US for no extra bank fee (by our bank). The ATM may still charge a fee, but there won’t be 2 charges. We figured he would mostly be able to pay with cc or debit and would not need to write many checks locally. Has this been your experience?</p>