<p>Aside from things like tuition, housing, and meal plans, how much money do I need for other things? I know I could sit here and just calculate everything that I think I may need, but I would appreciate if someone could tell me what I probably would need, based on personal experience :)</p>
<p>Hello eklee311, glad to know someone from Taipei. I am now in China mainland.</p>
<p>As for your question, if really depends. Maybe you want to consider buying a car, some textbooks (though not recommended), snacks (which probably does not take much), dining outside, and maybe member fees for some fraternities? And surely, there are some ways to save housing and meal plan fee, if you live off campus, for example.</p>
<p>I’m sorry but that really doesn’t tell me anything 
I kinda needed a number or a general estimation haha…</p>
<p>I’d say having ~$200 per month to spend on other things is nice. I mean, do you have a car or any form of transportation? If so, you need gas…</p>
<p>Yes, $200 will definitely do for me.</p>
<p>Well it depends, what are your habits, and interests? You may live in a small town now where there is not much use for currency because there aren’t that many attractions, but once your friends are going off to Disneyland and water parks, In-n-out, Trader Joe’s, you will notice your need for $$$ increase very dramatically.</p>
<p>I mean, are you a female? I mean you’re going to be living in LA, the fashion capital of the west. Are you looking for a job, etc?</p>
<p>yea it really depends on what you’re going to do. If you’re planning on going to theme parks, dining at very fancy restaurants, or shopping every weekend … well you’re going to need a lot of money.
But $200/mo for an ‘average’ person would be sufficient. By average I mean ‘occasionally’ going to eat out with friends, catch a movie or two, shopping for essentials, etc. And you should still have some money left over for emergency cash in case you need it.</p>
<p>Okay well I guess I’ll have to be more specific of my spending habits haha…</p>
<p>I’m a guy coming from a busy city. No car, so no need for gas.</p>
<p>Trekforever, you said $200/mo would be sufficient for the ‘average’ person, but for your description I might be a little above average haha… $300 would probably suffice though, to be safe? And yes, I probably will try to get a job.</p>