<p>okay, i’m not sure i understand this monthly budget plan thing.</p>
<p>i understand it’s a way of paying tuition and stuff over the year in smaller chunks but when they have you calculate how much to pay each month they give recommended amounts for personal expenses. </p>
<p>could i just leave all the personal/books out and get money when i need stuff as opposed to having it budgeted in? or, if i do have my “personal” expenses budgeted in and needed more money during the year, how would that work? do personal/books and supplies go to the penn card??</p>
<p>afaforce, since I just completed this exercise today (singing up for the budget plan)I can answer this with certainty.</p>
<p>I had the same question, so I called the Penn Office. I was told that the "personal expense" line item is completely optional. It is designed for a student to have money in the account for personal use. But, students can just use cash, debit/credit card, whatever. </p>
<p>So, no need to deposit it. Personal books and supplies can go onto the Penn card. But, parents/students can pay for those AFTER they are charged...and don't have to plan it into the monthly budget. </p>
<p>The woman I spoke with recommended removing the line item. </p>
<p>I've now given Penn permission to withdraw funds from my account. So, let the financial excavation of my bank account begin!!</p>
<p>Signed,
Poor Penn Parent!</p>
<p>so then we can get rid of "personal expenses" but not "books and supplies"?</p>
<p>momsdream- thank you so much for clearing that up!</p>
<p>i think we can get rid of the books and supplies line too, or leave some in. But I think ideally I won't be buying books at retail price or some at all if I can get it from someone else or something, so I'm going to leave that line out, too.</p>