<p>I'm having trouble searching for conversations, so my apologies if this is discussed elsewhere. But how important is it for students these days to have a budget? I'm a parent. If my kid has a meals plan, how much spending money will they really need (besides textbooks)?</p>
<p>I’m an incoming freshman so I’ve been trying to plan this out as well. First thing that comes to mind is that (s)he will need to buy the basic like shampoo, toothpaste, razors, etc, which aren’t really everyday expenses. Also,(s)he will probably have a mini fridge so a few grocery items every now and then. Don’t forget that some classes may require materials other than textbooks (this largely depends on the major) and sports clubs have fees that aren’t included in cost of attendance. I think the budget is very important. Unless the student has a fullride that covers all college expenses money will be a little tight so knowing how to prioritize expenses is crucial. As far as how much spending money they actually need, I think it’s a matter of thinking about those reoccurring expenses and knowing your kid. I really suggest talking to him/her. They probably will list things that are really unnecessary but it’s good to see what the mindset is like and what (s)he thinks is important (and some of the things brought may be really good ones you might have overlooked). After that, take time to mull things over then maybe lay the ground rules out about spending. These are just my thoughts though. Hope they helped some! (Also, you might want to try the parent café. You can get some good answers from here but if you’re looking for a parent perspective, the café would probably be better. )</p>
<p>IMO, the extras should be covered by the student and can easily be covered with a campus or summer job.</p>