<p>I’ve read that cadets earn about $800 pay a month but also that most of that goes to the expenses of textbooks, computer, dry cleaning and other expenses. Does anyone know about how much we will end up with in the end? Any cadets able to pay for travel expenses home out of their pay?</p>
<p>In the appointee kit, it said that we would see about $100 a month for the first two years until the initial loan for books, uniforms, computer, etc. was paid off. I'm not sure how much of the stipend you will actually be receiving your second and first class years. And I was wondering the same thing about traveling home. I don't want my parents paying for flights home on holidays, although I'm sure they would be willing to at least help with the cost.</p>
<p>That was my concern too. I think that my family could afford it and will want to pay to bring me home as much as they can but I really don't want that to happen. I want what is best for them, and that doesn't include blowing all their money on me. I would feel guilty on my vacation and wouldn't enjoy it as much as if I got home on my own merit.</p>
<p>Umm..... If I may offer some advice in a non-Navy forum?</p>
<p>In my day, we got the princely sum of $25 per month the first semester Plebe Year, and (after the largest percentage pay increase I've ever received), $50 during second semester. I imagine inflation has adjusted that UP a bit, but you're not going to be starting a 401(k) Plebe Year.</p>
<p>IIRC, my initial Plebe Issue was paid off within a few months of starting my 3/C year. Still, the pay was a good bit more than $50 simply because the withholding was less. By 1/C year, I was clearing $800 or so a month which, believe me, is a FORTUNE when everything else is paid for.</p>
<p>As for your parents, permit me to suggest that you let THEM worry about it. If they offer to fly you home, don't be rude and say no. Believe me, you're saving them a bundle just by being at USAFA rather than Podunk University. Heck, my parents retired years ahead of time and paid for my first car with what I saved them!</p>
<p>All things considered, you won't have much time to spend what little you make the first year, so just hang tight. I was fortunate to have my meager savings from NAPS to pull me through, but I wasn't exactly thrifty, either. I paid for that later.</p>
<p>Don't know how applicable all that is to USAFA, specifically, but I suspect the gist is pretty close.</p>
<p>We get $100 a month for 4 dig year. I think it goes up to 300 or so 3 dig year. Not sure how much increase (if all the way) 2 dig year, but definitely $800 firstie year.</p>
<p>Good to know. Doesn't sound like I'll be flying home often off of $100 a month.</p>
<p>While it is in the somewhat distant future for you all, as a new lieutenant, you will make considerably more money. Prior to taxes, rent, utilities, etc., I make $3426.04 per month.</p>
<p>"Doesn't sound like I'll be flying home often off of $100 a month."</p>
<p>If you do your homework, and book your flights way in advance, you can fly round trip coast to coast for well under $400. I would think you could fly just about anywhere from Colorado for the same or less; it will just take a bit of planning and shopping for the best deals.</p>
<p>Think of living on virtually nothing as part of the time honored college experience.</p>
<p>lol, I will GLADLY let my parents pay for my trips. When we go, we get to take all of our id and credit/debit cards and everything right? If that's the case then I'll have no problem flying home with my own money but if not, the parents will definitely be paying for my trips :D</p>
<p>if you plan far enough, as WPSON2010 said, you can get good prices, sometimes as low as $200 (although usually for me around $300). And depending on you, you can try to make a deal with your parents and have them pay part of it if you can't (since they aren't paying tuition), but that varies obviously based on the family. And if you can't get home for one break, there are sponsor families here you can stay with, as well as other opportunities sometimes (spring break trips with habitat for humanity or something like that which i heard were a blast)</p>
<p>Uncynical -- does that include your housing allowance? I noticed you said "before rent."</p>
<p>Freshmen get paid $100 until around July when they start getting paid $220 a month as a sophomore. </p>
<p>Every year it changes but around March or April as a sophomore you will have your loans paid off and start to make your full allowance (which varies on the person...I just made 700 this month alone). Not too bad I'd have to say, considering a lot of our stuff is already paid for.</p>
<p>"Uncynical -- does that include your housing allowance? I noticed you said "before rent.""</p>
<p>Yes, but even after I include rent, electricity, and water, I get about $200 more for housing allowance than I spend.</p>