<p>It really depends on where you live and what kind of lifestyle you want to have. I mean I probably spend anywhere from 75-175 a week at school in addition to a weekday only meal plan at my fraternity house. So that includes things like going out or getting drinks, going out to eat a couple times a week, food for the weekends, and shopping every once and a while. Ann Arbor is a fairly expensive college town though so I’m sure it varies a lot if you’re in a more rural area, but can be even more expensive if you’re in a big city.</p>
<p>^^ That’s important to keep in mind. Not all meal plans cover 7 days out of the week. A lot of them cover 2 meals a day, Monday through Friday, and they leave you to fend for yourself on the weekends. There are, of course, usually different options available, but not all schools even offer meal service on weekends.</p>
<p>Seconding take into where you are into account! I’m in DC so that considerably drives up the price of things + things like cabs. </p>
<p>And Greek dues.</p>
<p>Hmm… well DS will be a freshman living in the dorm on the all you can eat plan 7 days a week. I’m sending him with a good supply of personal items so I’m going with the $30 a week if it’s not enough I guess he will probably come home to do his laundry…I suppose if he can show me it’s really not doable I would reconsider.</p>
<p>Well in Philly one dinner is like $30 and when the grown ups drink then that makes it like hundreds and im not lying. I have to add the tip part so I know what they spend and how to add the tip on. Its easy but the dinner is like $500 and that makes the tip like $100. So get a job serving tables. Even at a normal restrant you can make a lot.</p>
<p>MichiganGeorgia, $30/wk is plenty. He’ll have to learn how to budget it of course but I got by on that, if not less, from my parents.</p>
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<p>If something happens and he needs to get something, he’ll ask, but it sounds like he’s all set up with food, a place to live, and basic supplies. If he just wants more money to hang out with friends, he can get a part time job to earn extra spending money. Even a freshman with a solid course load can swing a couple hours of work a week to earn some extra money.</p>