<p>We just opened up a joint checking / debit account and a student credit card with a $500. credit limit. I'm not sure how much 4 my son will need while at school I know books will be a larger expense in the beginning of each semester but I don't know about other incidentals. I really don't even know what to expect as far as books. I know many student order books online or rent them now. Any advise from those who know would be great!</p>
<p>When I used to buy books from the bookstore, I spent $400-$500. I buy from amazon now and usually spend $200. But I am in poli sci, other majors have more expensive books.</p>
<p>For spending money, if I’d had my way I probably would have spent $20-$30 a week. But I didn’t have my way and probably spent $100 per semester. There are a lot of really expensive things here to spend your money on, and a lot of not so expensive things. How much he gets should depend on how much you are comfortable with.</p>
<p>Textbook costs can vary depending on the courses taken. As for spending money, D had the money she had earned over the summer and got a part-time job on campus so she provided her own spending money. It’s a great way to learn about supply and demand! ;)</p>
<p>Find out what the total COA is for your school. That number is what you could get in aid to pay for the student’s year there. That is a good starting point as to what your student should get in terms of funds. Adjust according to special situations. If the student is in a major that doesn’t need much in the way of books, cut that amount down. Show him/her how to get books cheaper on line or used. On the other hand, the student might have some special needs that other kids don’t have, and the allowance should be adjusted to reflect that.</p>
<p>I found it depends on their interests/hobbies, the free offerings at the schoo, and also on how often they’re coming home to shop at MomMart! My D comes home around once a month and we usually restock her with cereal bars, juice, water, meds, soap, etc. before she goes back. Her school has tons of free and very low cost stuff to do and there’s no charge for laundry either. So, her need for spending money is pretty much limited to skating fees and dinners/entertainment off campus. I don’t think she spent anything close to $100 a month…maybe $10/week unless she was buying clothes or jewelry (a blessedly rare event). They do seem to spend a lot less when they’re spending their own money!</p>