How much should I set aside for Dorm stuff?

<p>I have no idea how much to spend. I am thinking $500. I'm a girl and I want it to be pretty. No, I didn't include stuff like a mini fridge or a microwave, I might get it the day I find out who my roommate is. I plan on shopping at places like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Walmart & Target.
Here's my list:
Bedding Set
Under-bed Storage Bins
Shower Caddy
House Flip Flops
Reading Light/Desk Lamp
Mattress Pad
Bathrobe
Laundry Hamper
Extension Chords
Iron
Stationary (flash drives, trapper keepers, pencils, pens, sharpies...etc)
Organizer/Calendar
Message Board
Sewing Kit
Flashlight
Batteries
First Aid Kit (band aids, cotton wool, alcohol)
Medicine (Cough syrup, pain relievers)
Tissues
Paper Towels
Clorox/Kleenex Wipes
Air Freshener
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hair Spray
Deodorant
Body Wash
Face Wash
Lotion
Other Beauty Stuff
Umbrella</p>

<p>thats all you really need. Although, adding in a screwdriver might come in handy.</p>

<p>I just did all my shopping at Target, and I spent just about $500. It’s a ridiculous amount of money, but I do feel like I need basically all of it. Remember bowls and silverware and such.</p>

<p>“Girl” </p>

<p>A couple grand. </p>

<p>Sent from my HTC Glacier using CC</p>

<p>I would take iron off you list, I never used one.
Consider adding command hooks to your list because if you need to hang up towels/jackets they come in handy. I also enjoyed having a full length over the door mirror or a small desk mirror for doing makeup. You also might need a waste bin. Don’t buy air freshener until you get there. My roommate had asthma and I couldn’t use the spray kind or plug ins, only the non flame candles.<br>
Don’t buy your first aid kit at BBB. They wanted like 10 dollars and target wanted like 5 for the same thing. Use 20% off coupons at BBB. I would online shop for prices for your bedding. I’ve seen everything from 100 dollars at BBB to 30 dollars at Target.
500 should be enough, just be careful.</p>

<p>$450 should be enough. Your list is pretty complete, so it should should be ok for now. Regarding clothes and dresses, you don’t need to spend a ton of money to get nice clothes. There are many great girl-wears that look great but don’t cost too much.</p>

<p>I spent around the same $500 and had a pretty lengthy list. I saved money using copons and buying things that were on sale and clearance as well as shopping around different stores. </p>

<p>My Stores:
PBteen
Target
Walmart
Marshall’s
Urban Outfitters
ModCloth</p>

<p>One thing that I would advise splurging on is a mattress pad - they really come in handy. I tried to be cheap and bought a $10 one, and then I just had to buy a new one sophomore year because it got destroyed.</p>

<p>Anyways, I would also look at places like Marshall’s or Homegoods for bedding - I found a nice Ralph Lauren bedset, complete with covers, throw pillow stuff, and sheets, for $35. It was awesome and no one else has quite the same bedspread, which is nice.</p>

<p>*stationery</p>

<p>my cheap (at most $10) mattress pad has held up 1 year just fine, but I would second getting a better mattress pad, especially if you have a hard time sleeping in uncomfortable beds, I don’t. Some of my friends (both sexes) had ones with a few inches of foam, they seemed to enjoy it.</p>

<p>The cost is going to vary a lot, depending on whether you buy expensive fancy stuff or just ok stuff</p>

<p>Unless you wear clothes that need ironing a lot, I wouldn’t get an iron. If you really need one, the dorm should have one, and/or someone nearby will have one. (coming from a guy who didn’t need an iron or have to use one).</p>

<p>I think $400 is enough. I bought my bedding for under $20 bucks and the comforter is still in amazing shape. The sheets I’ve had to replace for another ten bucks but don’t spend $150 on sheets and comforters. Mattress pads get pretty expensive too though.</p>

<p>I second getting a screwdriver, I brought a tool kit with me and found it very, very useful throughout the year. </p>

<p>Also - BATTERIES. Buy them. Hide them. Don’t tell anyone you have them.</p>

<p>I also agree with above who said to look at TJ Maxx and Marshalls - at this time of year they have some really great deals on twin xl stuff. I saw a great Cynthia Rowley bedspread the last time I was at Marshalls and was severely tempted.</p>

<p>We spent $2000 on my son’s dorm room. But that included a couple of chairs from IKEA so it would be a fun place for people to hang out, a 32" TV and all kinds of hooks, rugs, lamps, storage bins, a very comfortable desk chair and all the other things you mentioned. And a bike for getting around campus!</p>