<p>So im starting this fall and was curious about how people usually do spending money. im going to the university of georgia, which has a very active downtown. i applied for a citi dividend platinum select visa card for college students, that Ill be using for gas/food/snacks (parents paying it; im very responsible with money). Ill also be using my university card for printing/laundry/food places that take it/ect., so I was wondering how much cash I will need each semester. I dont plan to go and buy clothes or games or anything, so just cash for everyday junk.
Also should I open any kind of bank account in town? (athens is 5 hours away from my hometown).</p>
<p>Is your bank at home a chain bank with offices in Athens? If so, don't worry about opening a new account. If your hometown bank is "XYZville Community Bank" and the only location is in your hometown, I'd recommend finding a bank in Athens that offers free checking for college students. Do this especially if you plan to frequently use a debit card to get money out of an ATM, because ATM fees WILL add up and WILL get expensive. It sucks going to get $10 out of the machine and then having to pay an extra $2.00 to get that $10 because the ATM isn't owned by your bank.</p>
<p>I would recommend having a bank account where your going to be. If you already have one and they have a location where your going to be then you don't have to worry about changing anything. </p>
<p>I used my debit (bank card) for things such as gas, food, etc. However, I also have a credit card and I use that when I go to the mall and go shopping. As far as laundry and those sort of things, I use my University account that is attached to my student ID.</p>
<p>Use your debit card and go for the cash back option. It doesn't cost anything and a lot of places will ask you if you want it when you enter your PIN. I just got asked at the drug store today (though I declined, being that I was going to the bank right after picking up some sunscreen anyway).</p>
<p>Get a student credit card. If you build up your credit while you're in college, you'll be in better shape when it comes time to get a different card (1 year with a student card = instant approval for Macy's card, which didn't approve at all before that) and also if you eventually buy a house or car. PAY IT OFF WHEN YOU GET THE BILL. Don't put your bills in the pile you won't get to for another month.</p>
<p>As far as cash, have enough out that you can go to a mom-and-pop store, use it for tips, buy refreshments at sporting events, etc. I like to keep at least $30-40 out and also keep out a $50 and a $20 that I don't spend. I use these for emergencies. I once had a $20 in my wallet for a year and a half before I used it. The current reserve $20 has been there for two and a half years! This is good if you run out of cash or something. Also, when you take out your cash, make sure you have some $1 bills for vending machines. You never know when you'll need that candy bar before the exam.</p>
<p>When you go to school, take your credit card (you may have to apply for it at school), debit card, library card if you're in state and have a Power Library page (PA has one), the aforementioned cash, and the checkbook.</p>
<p>As far as what I use stuff on:
Credit Card: Gas, baseball tickets, and some online purchases
Debit Card: Clothes, books, other expenses, other online stuff
Cash: Food on the run, small items (like if I need a pen or screwdriver)
Checkbook: Haircuts and paying bills, plus big transactions (car repairs, pool passes, etc)</p>
<p>Being a commuter I don't have any money on my student ID but they're usually good for washing machines, snacks, and often at local stores around campus (I know of a guy who can use his college card at a convenience store chain and I think also a Walgreens).</p>
<p>Manage your funds online. I think every major bank has a website now. If you've got a savings account (highly recommended) you can shuffle money between the two plus you get your statements online much quicker than the mailed ones. If you use Citizens Bank I warn you the website can be quirky.</p>
<p>You don't plan to buy clothes now, but you will. </p>
<p>Don't rely to heavily on a credit card. I personally feel they should only be used in unique situations or emergencies, not for day to day buying. I suggest that you pull out, say $50 a week, and have that be what you spend. You could use your debit card if you run out of cash, but try not too. </p>
<p>Yeah, make every effort to have you account at a bank that has a branch both at school and at home.</p>
<p>well today i opened a checking account at a bank that has an ATM on campus (and 4 more throughout town) and a few branches around town. its also across the street from my house.
i dont plan on using the credit card or debit card too much except to get cash and my parents can instantly put money on the university card (which is great), so i think i got everything straight.</p>
<p>Yeah, having an account with a bank that has a strong local presence is a plus. No hassles with ATMs, checks, and such.</p>
<p>How much do you guys spend / anticipate spending?</p>
<p>I have about $10,000 saved up for college - four years - including books, clothes, snacks, etc. I don't anticipate buying gas or too much food (no car, unlimited meal plan), and I'll probably work, but not more than $50-100/week. (This excludes tuition and room/board, which my parents will most likely cover, but it would need to pay for all miscellaneous expenses, because they won't like me to bother them.)</p>
<p>You don't need any cash.
I only spend money on food and laundry. Books you can get from the library, and haircuts you can do yourself.</p>
<p>The checking and savings accounts I use are ING Direct. They have 4% interest for checking, and 4.5% interest for savings, with no minimums or fees. They use the allpoint ATM network, which has more than 30,000 ATMs across the country. PM me if you want a referral ($25 for you and $10 for me). One downside of ING Direct is that they don't do checks. In addition, some online banks offer higher rates.</p>
<p>well im pretty much only paying for room/board and my fraternity in school related stuff so my parents are supplying spending money. i also have money from all my jobs saved up.</p>
<p>i really dont know how much ill be spending. i was wondering if any body that just finished their freshman year could tell me how much they spent.</p>
<p>Freshman year, I don't think I spent more than $500 on miscellaneous items - food, laundry, non-academic books, etc.</p>
<p>$500 really? that's great...
I'm getting really tired of my job, and I'm trying to decide if it's really worth having extra money in the fall...</p>
<p>If it weren't for a random car repair I would have spent well under $500 as well. But I needed an obscure part so I was out $300.</p>
<p>I find I spend more in the summer. Pool passes, baseball games, bowling, and a trip to the amusement park add up.</p>
<p>so I wouldn't need anywhere near $100 a week for spending money? (which is what my parents are suggesting).
I hardly spend anything now... and I won't have my car with me.</p>
<p>If you aren't a big spender and your school's location is on the more rural side, you won't spend $100 a week. If you will be in NYC or LA, I wish you luck at spending only $100 a week. My school is in the middle of nowhere and I didn't have a car this year, so I got by just fine on $20 a week. I will be taking a car this coming August, so that will change next year. But it seems like the new manager at my job that I've been at since 2005 will be better about getting me hours than the old one was, so I should be okay.</p>