<p>So I originally posted a question like this in the UC Berkeley forum, (apologies to anyone on both forums) but then decided that it's probably something that can be answered by all college students, regardless of school or location (although i'm sure these factors will have something to do with the answers provided).</p>
<p>I understand that the prime financial concern as you head off to college is the costs and fees that are owed to the university: course registration, insurance, housing, meal plans, etc. But what about recreational spending? How much do you personally set aside, or plan to have at your disposal for activities outside the classroom like dining out, going to a movie, picking up a new pair of shoes, or going to a local club for dancing or a concert?</p>
<p>I know that each and every one of us have different financial situations. Some of us are putting ourselves through college entirely while others are enjoying generous assistance from mom and dad. I'm somewhere in the middle. My parents are funding most of my education and allowing me a sort of allowance for reasonable spending and fun outside of school. Even though I'm saving most of the money I earned from employment, I plan to bring a small chunk of previous income (a few hundred) to last me a little bit. A part-time job will probably be in my future this coming semester.</p>
<p>So, on to the questions. Do you find that you fit the 'starving college student' stereotype to a tee, or do you feel like your funds accommodate a more shopper friendly lifestyle? What seems to be the norm at your school? Have you found that a budget for spending money is hard to maintain? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>P.S. This post was in no way created to examine or judge people based on their income. I was just wondering what the 'college life' is truly about. I'm basically just trying to get some feedback so I can be prepared, so I appreciate your opinions! </p>
<p>My mom gives me 5 bucks a day to eat lunch, </p>
<p>I get by. I go to school, go to class, eat, go to class. Go home. to the gym to sleep and then to school the next day. do that 5 days a week. then go to the gym on weekends and then home and to sleep,</p>
<p>I didn't mean to come off as if those things were needed in order to enjoy your college experience. I guess I am used to going out every now and then, and of course, those things cost a little extra.</p>
<p>Thing is, I'm going to be living on campus and away from home, so there are lots of new things to explore and experience. I guess I'm just an idealist, but I'm sure I'll be living off ramen and rented movies soon enough.</p>
<p>I mean, get a job on campus, work a few hrs a day, Maybe right before or after class. It will be Minimum wage, but think, 3 hrs of work is around $20</p>
<p>More than enogh to eat per day and if ya save a few bucks a day, its also more than enogh to go out on friday night.</p>
<p>Nobody should ever starve. you dont need a $5 mean.</p>
<p>Think what is the most satisfying thing for really cheap.</p>
<p>Its a really nice peice of bread. Go to bread shop or Bakery get a nice epice of bread with an ice-tea.,</p>
<p>You have got it made.</p>
<p>another way to save money is, Dont buy books. Many Colleges have more than 1 copy of textbooks availible for student use in the Library. You may have a 3 hr limit on the book, but most people dont use them. so you can just get them again.</p>
<p>or Borrow a Book and Copy it. I ahve done this many times. a $100 book with 200 pgs. Only costs $10 to copy.
</p>
<p>also some schools ahve Unlimited meal plans. you get a card and you can go in and have 20 meals a day. This doeant happen with Public schools. usually privates.</p>
<p>I'm not exactly worried. My spending habits aren't extreme in situations where money is limited and needed for neccesary items.</p>
<p>Where I'm going to be attending school (UC Berkeley), on-campus jobs start at about $9.00 an hour and go up from there. No minimum wage, woo hoo.</p>
<p>And no, you're not a loser. I do appreciate all your help. I'm totally the kind of person who loves a good time, meal, or textbook for very little money. Heh.</p>
<p>While I go to a community college, next year I'll be at UNC-CH.</p>
<p>My parents will be paying the tuition and board.</p>
<p>However, for the last year, I've paid tuition, bought all my own books, bought my own clothes, accessories, shoes, and anything else I needed, save for my birthday and Christmas.</p>
<p>When I get to Chapel Hill, I fully expect I'll be working a part time job or two to pay for everything I need.</p>
<p>During my senior year there, I'll probably move into an apartment, and I'll have to work during the summer to help ensure rent and furniture and stuff.</p>
<p>Putting yourself through college, even if it's just community college, is hard. I'll be grateful when I get to Chapel Hill.</p>
<p>My parents are paying my tution and if I buy books they'll probably cover that too, but I think my spending money will come purely from my work-study (or other part-time job) job. I think it's possible to survive on very little in college. Eat your meals in the dining halls, use your student discounts, don't go off-campus that much.</p>
<p>I have more money than I had expected to have in college. Having food paid for was nice (obviously cafeteria food is not ideal, but it's there and it's paid for), so I tried to avoid spending money during the week. I go shopping every once in a while, go clubbing at least once a week, and check out a movie about every 2-3 weeks. I think girls have it a little easier, though, because we don't have to worry about buying our own drinks... :-)</p>
<p>^^^fyi: My parents pay my tuition, I'm responsible for my own spending money. First semester, I had <em>plenty</em> of money from graduation... second semester I got a job making slightly more than minimum wage for about 15 hours a week, giving me about $200/every 2 weeks.</p>
<p>I am responsible for my college tuition costs and my own spending money as of this moment. I am extremely bitter about it because my family has quite a bit of money yet little was spent on me. My mom has quite a few large assets so that hurts me with financial aid.... I hate this system. Just because parents have money doesn't mean the child does. Not to mention that my dad died too this year so now I get ejected into the college environment without a real family and without money. ***** you all if you think I am whining -- I am ****ed.</p>
<p>Sometimes I just feel like I am getting screwed again though. I really need someone that I <em>know</em> can sit down with me, see all my information, and help me go through the Penn registration process a step at a time to ensure everything goes reasonably well. I don't like this feeling of having all this stuff to do looming over me, as it's giving me such a headache and I don't know where to begin.</p>
<p>Well in order to get to the point where you have someone sitting down going over stuff, you HAVE TO CALL THEM. How will they know you need/want help if you never ask? I think this is the most important thing for you: to get in contact with someone at your school. You can even schedule a meeting in person and we will go there. You don't know where to start? I'm TELLING you where to start. CALL</p>
<p>Do you people think $300 per month is a good enough living expense amount for a student going to a rural campus? I already have my tuition, books and dorm/meals paid for. I am generally not very extravagant. I do plan to go for movies, groceries, bar and eat out once in a while (like 2 weeks per month).</p>
<p>Yeah, $300/month should be fine -- I lived in DC one summer on $20/week for lunches, breakfasts at McDonald's, and entertainment.</p>
<p>The one thing to watch out for is groceries. I spend $100 at the grocery store every two weeks for me and my boyfriend -- groceries are expensive! (But, keep in mind that that figure is groceries for two people for eating dinner and snacks every night for two weeks.) Make a list and stick to it, because if you go to the store and start grabbing things, the bill can be pretty ridiculous.</p>