<p>Okay, so my question is - how much allowance are your parents going to give you in college? I don't know if my parents are being serious or not, but they're sort of freaking me out when they make it sound like I'm not going to get as much money when I'm away, and that's when I'll need it. Like I was telling them that I want to get and car and bring it my freshman year (and park it in a garage, for a fee) but they didn't seem so hot on the idea. They were like "no, no, that's too complicated" and they my mom said the scariest thing ever - "where will you get the money from?" haha so i was like eeeeeeeeek. </p>
<p>So to parents, students, whoever - how much money do college students subsist on? Even though this thread probably sounds like I'm really bratty,I'm not, and was just aiming for a little humor not).</p>
<p>I started a post like this recently; just scroll down a few topics, same page. It's entitled, "The College Student's Bank Account". Several people responded to my questions concerning weekly allowance and college spending.</p>
<p>Also, I don't know your financial situation, and I'm honestly not trying to judge, but if your parents are funding your education, now might not be the best time to ask for a brand new car, hehe.</p>
<p>My parents aren't giving me any spending money. I worked over the last two years to accumulate enough spending money for more than a year at college.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm bringing a few hundred dollars from working last year. The rest was put into savings because I know my spending habits if I have too much. My parents have not indicated the price range of the so-called allowance, but they have my account number so they will be able to make deposits. My dad assured me that I will be able to dine out sometimes - we got the standard meal plan solely because he informed me that I would be able to afford food off campus occasionally throughout the week. I had my first job when I was 15, and worked continously until I was 18. I took a break for a semester, and my parents funded movies, concerts, and food - in total moderation. My family is fairly comfortable but they're not lavish spenders and do not believe in going overboard. I get things when I need them, but I don't see mom and dad's credit card on a daily basis what so ever. If your parents are anything like mine, I wouldn't worry. They're not going to leave you hanging, but understand that they're shelling out thousands for you to go to school, so don't expect to be shopping every weekend. </p>
<p>I would suggest finding a part time job on campus - they're easy and laid back, and usually revolve around your class schedule. At my school, jobs usually start two-three dollars above minimum wage and go up generously from there. </p>
<p>Thanks for the heads up... the thing is that I'm not going to get a job at college because my parents and I have agreed that I can spend the time to focus on my school work and other non academic pursuits such as clubs, whatever.
I guess I'm used to an expensive way of life right now since I live in NYC and you need $30+ for one saturday because of cabs, subway, restaurants, etc. and hopefully the college I go to will be in a more reasonably priced location. ;)</p>
<p>If you save money throughout the school week (i.e. mainly eatting in the dining halls, preparing quick lunches with items in your dorm mini fridge/cupboards, or even grabbing a cheap snack in town) then $30-$40 isn't too bad for a weekend, at least in my opinion. I would assume that many parents would agree that sending that kind of money their child's way isn't a huge inconvienence. I mean, a movie is pushing 9 bucks, and then if you include one or two reasonable, full meals (10 bucks), thats nearly 30 dollars anyway. </p>
<p>I would suggest working over summer and winter break if you're not going to work in college. Students that have some of their own money (even if it's just a few hundred for a semester), either from working during the summer or during the school year don't stress about a set budget as much. they are the students that can afford to go shopping more often, and don't need to call home and beg on a regular basis. even the most wealthy parents want to teach their kids responsibility, and don't really want to fund the bar tab every weekend. </p>
<p>I know it may sound scary when parents say things like "well, where will you get the money" or "I hope you can afford that", but honestly, they're just trying to be realistic. I think us students forget that it costs a great deal of money just to study at a university...hence why college students usually live cheaply. High School is free and community college is cheap - so those who were living off their parents then should natually expect a lower allowance in college.</p>
<p>No def. dont get a job your freshman year. You need all the time you have to adjust to the academics and new social life. please dont tell me you're going to college in nyc and wanting a car. think about wanting a car seriously before you commit. if you're going to be in Oklahoma, that's understandable, but a fairly big city, dont' worry about a car. My parents put in $300/month in my account, and that's for any traveling, dinners, movies, anything I want to buy, and fraternity fees...
but be sure they know you don't want to get a job to get money, cause you'd rather have your academics be your full time job. those kind of lines work well...</p>
<p>my parents offered me a semester to just get used to the academics and lifestyle, but after that, they want me to work part time. i don't think working 10-15 hours a week is asking too much, especially when it's something as easy and laid back as an on-campus job. honestly, $300 is a decent amount and will probably be the ballpark figure i'll be dealing with from my parents. however, you're going to want to pursue some internships and the like, and why not get paid for your work anyway?</p>
<p>They're trying to be realistic. Parents really do enjoy not having to send in allowances every month. At least my mom's happy that I worked during my first year so she wouldn't have to worry about adding my allowance to the budget. I didn't mind too much as my on-campus job was pretty laid-back and earned quick money.</p>
<p>Please, please do NOT consider bringing your car to campus during your first semester. Really, what do u need it for? Have you seen the price of gas lately? Wake up. At this point, even if I had a car, I wouldn't be using it all the time.</p>
<p>And I agree with the above poster- right now is not the best time to ask for a car, especially that most college bills are due on August 1st...</p>
<p>I'm not going to college in NYC, I live in NYC. My parents have already offered me a car, so I'd rather take it to college than let it sit in a garage. <em>Shrugs</em></p>
<p>You could always sell the car they've offered you (unless you mean they've offered to buy one)! </p>
<p>I've picked up a couple of college life books and they all have suggestions for going out on budgets. One more creative idea was dressing up in a formal dress/tux and going to McDonald's.</p>
<p>Hmm....i wouldn't exactly dress up and go to mcdonalds for a good time but about deciding wither or not to bring a car to college, I would have died without mine. I go to a college in the middle of wheatfields and about 6 hours from home and I didn't want to have to depend on other people for getting around. Having a car on campus was def. money spent well in my mind. And the whole allowance thing, my parents actually gave me more money while i was away because they knew that I was eating out a lot and also buy things for my room and other random things. Overall, my parents really gave money on a monthly basis but whenever i needed more they would give it to me. But mainly, it's hard to budget when in college in my pov.</p>
<p>my parents gave me 0 dollars for spending in college. </p>
<p>i started working part time when i was in 8th grade, and worked at the same place till the day before i left for college. with that money i had bought my own car when i was 17, as well as my own computer and whatnot. </p>
<p>during college i worked part time my first three years for 10 hours per week. sometimes more, sometimes less. </p>
<p>during my fourth year, i worked about 30-40 hours per week for the first two months (i was still working my summer job on the weekends, as well as my part time job at school during the week).. and with that extra money that i made in those two months i put it as a downpayment and bought myself a new car, which i continued to pay for throughout college... </p>
<p>after those two months i just worked one job and made $100/week.. which as imentioned paid for my car, my insurance, cell phone, food, gas, entertainment, etc... </p>
<p>My parents helped with some of my tuition - i couldn't ask for more than that.</p>
<p>Work-study during freshman year isn't so bad if you can find a cushy job in the library, computer lab or something like that. Stay away from food service, (at least washing dishes) if you can.</p>
<p>No offense, but if you live on the upper east side you really shouldnt be worried about/complaining about a lack of money. It sounds like your parents are being very generous as it is. You should have thought about this ahead of time and gotten a job this summer to pay for this stuff if it's really that big of a deal.</p>
<p>That sounded kind of harsh, but the only girl that I know from the upper east side is just so naive about the concept of money. Apologies if I'm applying a stereotype to your case.</p>