<p>I can imagine a host of these indorect, hidden nickel and dime expenses really adding up, as if the published expenses ("dierct costs") are not enough.</p>
<p>If you take the bus or train, same issue of cost to get to the station, I suspect. Even if you have to give a friend some money for gas to get you to and fro, that is extra, too.</p>
<p>midmo, I was recpping previous poster's comments. I am looking to plan for these costs. I do not know about the rental fees. So better to buy the appliances possibly? I saw a sharing idea, but one's roommate is only for one yr, correct?</p>
<p>^^^Usually roommates are only for one year; that is up to the roommates. In my son's case, he bought the fridge, the other guy bought the microwave. Next year son will have to get a microwave or hope someone else in his multi-room "lodge" puts a microwave in the common kitchen area.</p>
<p>If you live near a college, you can probably buy a used fridge and m-oven really cheap on move out day; a lot of students are ready to get rid of them at that point.</p>
<p>You are correct that the nickel and dime extras can add up fast. You will need to plan, be prudent and explain the facts of life to janecollegekid ahead of time.</p>
<p>Sometimes the college will not allow microwaves, but will allow you to rent these micro-fridge combos. We don't have any experience with them, just saw them at a college we visited. Usually there is a common room microwave in the dorms that all can use. My D just took a fridge which we bought. Her roommate brought the TV, but then quit part way through the year so she was TV-less.</p>
<p>So parents experienced in college, what is a good amount to plan for for indirect costs (costs not included in tuition, mandatory fees, room and board)?</p>
<p>My D didn't have a televison in her room- I don't think anyone did. The RA did bring one and they had it in the dorm common room- but I only saw it on once.
Good to ask what the school expects outside of room/board & tuition. I didn't even think about schools requiring you to pay for something that you don't want- like mandatory health insurance even if outside coverage.</p>
<p>Wow! My D1 must be living the high life!;) Most everyone on her floor for the past two years has their own fridge...that's right 2 per room that they stack. She also has the m-oven that she shares along with a flat screen tv, dvd player and Wii. I was very surprised at how many kids have the nice big flat screens! (They do take up less room.) Don't forget the futon that they like to put under the lofts! Truthfully....the room stuff can be as little or as much as you want. She's very social so she has kids in all the time. She also has the folding lawn chairs to pull out when it gets crowded. You can't live off campus until you're a senior so the dorm rooms can be very nice.</p>
<p>The big one I'm wondering about at the moment is health insurance. I'm pretty sure the insurance we have will not be acceptable to the college since the deductible is so high. So I'm not sure which will be worse, to upgrade our policy or pay for the college's very expensive plan. Thinking about it makes me shudder.</p>