Dorm rooms - what is your budget?

[momxx5]

My oldest will be off to college in a few months and I am planning a budget for his dorm room supplies.

The have a list on line of the usual things needed:
Bedding
desk supplies
towels
personal items

So I was wondering what kind of budget to make? Do you think a room can be done for less than $200? I can do some great clearance, sale searching....never pay full price kinda shopper.
His roommate is bringing a tv and xbox. Fridge and microwave are already included in room.

 

[prncess674]

It all depends on if he is going to want to take any used stuff or does it all have to be brand new. Most dorms have XL twin beds which will require a special sheet. You can always cheat and just buy a XL twin fitted new then just use a previously owned flat, fitted and blanket that are standard size.

Also how responsible is your kid? Will he take care of nice things?

 

[momxx5]

Thanks I keep forgetting about the xlong twim. He just uses a fitted sheet and then comforter, so no need to worry about flat sheet.

He is responsible as far a taking care of things, so I do not really have to worry about that.
I worry more about him losing track of time like he does around here......"oh is it really 10:00, man I better get started on my super big project due tomorrow"....uggg.

 

[momxx5]

Also, is there anything that either you or your child wished they had, but it wasn't on the list.

thanks

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Thanks I keep forgetting about the xlong twim. He just uses a fitted sheet and then comforter, so no need to worry about flat sheet.

Verify the beds are XL. A friend's son who started college last year was surprised that the beds were regular twin.

I think it's good to have basic tools in a dorm room- hammer, pliers, a couple screwdrivers, duct tape (that's a tool, right?), utility knife. May not need them often, but when he does- it's good to have them!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We got most of DS stuff at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond last year. I got almost all of it on sale or with a coupon. B Band B will take out dated ones so never throw one out! I think I spent about $300 for it all.
We got new sheets/comforter/ blanket.
Towels/wash cloths/hand towels.
A mattress cover (the kind that completely zips around the mattress )
a mattress topper. I did spend more on the topper to get a thicker one and we were glad as the mattress was not very new or thick!
a lamp that hooked onto the bed
a flash light
a small desk lamp
paper plates and silver wear
paper towels
laundry soap
bathroom cleaner
bathroom shower curtain.
bed risers but we ended up returning them as the boys bunked the beds.
school supplies (pens,pencils, makers etc)
a large trunk to keep stuff in
under the bed storage box
a lockable box (he didn't use it but could have depending on roommates)
extension cords
he wished he had a fan this spring so we will likely send one back with him.

I think that is most of it. I enjoyed the shopping. DS not so much.

 

[Ress76]

I would think more important than "can you son take care of nice things" is the reality that most college students beat on their stuff...drag comforters to a friends room for movie night, pillows wind up on the floor to use the bed as a couch, spill stuff on the comforter etc. I'd get him a new bed-in-a-bag type set and a couple pillows for bedding, with maybe an extra set of sheets.

Since there will be a fridge and a microwave, I would get a cheap set of melamine plates and glasses and some silverware, nothing fancy, just a step up from paper plates and plasticware. I would send him, if not with a full toolbox, at least a hammer, a wrench and a couple screw drivers. (Never thought I'd use mine but we used them constantly for stuff!) Powerstrips and extention cords-some dorms and rooms are on the older side and may not have a multitude of outlets.

Honestly, I would plan on setting some cash aside so that once he knows where his room is and how big it is, you can go shopping then-even if it's hitting Target in the college town. Over my college years, my first room was a double, slightly bigger than a walk in closet, with orange shag carpeting worn down to the cement floor. There was barely room for clothes, forget extras like, I don't know, a TV. My next room was huge, and we put our beds together as bunks and had even more room-director's chairs, bean bags, small couch, footlocker as a table. Final room was a single, and not huge, but big enough a fridge cart, big TV, nightstand from home and a comfy chair. I'd hate to have you (or any parent) buy a bunch of stuff, get to the dorm room and wind up dragging half of it home again.

 

[tar heel]

Make sure you even need XL sheets - not all dorms use them. My oldest, for example, was in a central campus high rise at NC State where the dorms have standard twins.

I've found boys to be pretty simple. They don't tend to do a lot of matchy stuff -- as long as they are supplied with junk food and microwave stuff, they're good.

We spent around $200 (not including computer, of course) for the one whose room had a frig and microwave. One of mine didn't even get a new comforter, and the other one got a $25 one at Target. (10 years later that cheap comforter is still in use as are the towels we bought for college.) The essentials are a mattress pad, sheets (no more than two sets since boys don't change them), towels, a comforter or blanket and a laundry basket. I think we got each of ours a new pillow. He will also need a computer, an ethernet cord if needed, printer, ink, paper, pens, pencils, notebooks. the graphing calculator he had in high school. Throw in some paper plates or cheap dishes and make sure to send laundry detergent. My boys found underbed storage boxes useful and the one with lots of shoes liked a hanging shoe rack (cheap one). He doesn't *need* a rug, shelves, TV, chairs, etc. If he's wanting to take furniture, rugs, etc., look around your house first. Ditto for things like hangers.

Since you're on a budget, I would stay away from getting things he *might* need. For example, we got our oldest a study pillow b/c I couldn't have lived without mine in college. He never used it. Fortunately for us, his little brother did. If you get to campus and find that he absolutely has to have some more shelves or something, go to Target then.

I would recommend a clock radio with a nice loud alarm, but you may already have one of those around the house not being used.

What kind of desk supplies or personal items will he suddenly need in college that are different from what he has now?

Is he staying in North Carolina? We have lots of unairconditioned dorm rooms in the state -- if he's in one of those, he and his roommate both need to bring a fan.

I've not thought much about my son's stuff, but I'm not sure I'll buy new sheets if he needs XLs (he doesn't have his dorm assignment yet) because there's three sets in my linen closet. We will get plenty of towels, though -- Kohls Big Ones or the like. All three of my kids have gone to school in-state, which does make not having everything at the beginning a lot simpler.

I'm not a fan of TVs in dorm rooms, so I won't be supplying one of those.

 

[tar heel]

Ress76 mentioned tools. That's what my kids get for graduation and they did take their toolboxes to college.

 

[prncess674]

Thanks I keep forgetting about the xlong twim. He just uses a fitted sheet and then comforter, so no need to worry about flat sheet.

Icky! You must hav a huge washing machine at your house! How do you wash that every week(or at least every other week?)

Laundry isn't free on most campuses and having to lug a comforter every week down would be a PITA.

 

[Hannathy]

Boys don't need nor care about the stuff girls think they have to have. If he needs XL sheets wait a bit after they first start showing up at Target and Walmart and Kohls and you will find them on sale. He can take a comforter or blanket from home.

He will need at least 1 fan and lots of extension cords and an alarm clock. a bag or basket of some sort to carry laundry to the washer would be helpful.

an umbrella, a sewing kit and safety pins.

A medicine kit with Motrin, Tylenol, decongestant, benedryl, anything he usually takes and band aids.

School supplies would be just like he needed in high school and depending on his major.

My DD took a bunch of the Command Hooks and used those to add extra hanging space like for her coat and towels.

And his toothbrush! Even with an entire carfull of stuff and clothes my DD moved into her first dorm with out her toothbrush!

 

[Hannathy]

Icky! You must hav a huge washing machine at your house! How do you wash that every week(or at least every other week?)

Laundry isn't free on most campuses and having to lug a comforter every week down would be a PITA.

or

You really think a college guy is going to wash his comforter? And do you think he is going to wash his sheets every week?

 

[disneymom3]

Ress76 mentioned tools. That's what my kids get for graduation and they did take their toolboxes to college.

That is brilliant. My daughter has a bunch of guy friends who are graduating this year and we have been stuck what to get them for gifts. Toolboxes it is with the flashlight and duct tape someone mentioned as well.

 

[disneymom3]

Thanks I keep forgetting about the xlong twim. He just uses a fitted sheet and then comforter, so no need to worry about flat sheet.

He is responsible as far a taking care of things, so I do not really have to worry about that.
I worry more about him losing track of time like he does around here......"oh is it really 10:00, man I better get started on my super big project due tomorrow"....uggg.

Um, you do know he IS going to do that right?

 

[tar heel]

or

You really think a college guy is going to wash his comforter? And do you think he is going to wash his sheets every week?

Every week? My older son's were washed like twice a semester b/c I insisted they come home. I'm pretty sure one of his roommates didn't do his sheets . . . period.

Maybe the OP wants to add some room deoderizer to the list!

 

[Hannathy]

Every week? My older son's were washed like twice a semester b/c I insisted they come home. I'm pretty sure one of his roommates didn't do his sheets . . . period.

Maybe the OP wants to add some room deoderizer to the list!

True, well a few of us did mention fans! They can blow out also

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Just thought of another thing: Headphones. DS took some pretty good ones and said they were helpful blocking out noise in the room when he was trying to study but his roommates were not!

 

[Sagginit]

oust and febreeze!!!! if your child is not stinky they just may have a stinky roomate. it sounds mean but as stated some kids go off to college and just don't know how to clean on their own. i had a nice but really smelly roomate my frosh year (so bad my mother could smell an odor in the hallway).

as for laundry you must have the right kind of bag. we always had washers/dryers in each building, so a pop up hamper worked. if you have to lug it then you need a bag. also quarters for laundry because you could not get them on my campus, you just had to have them.

bed padding/mattress topper is a must, not a luxury or extra.

i would get what he needs to start, and then the rest will go on clearance at the end of the month. thats when you get things like throw pillows, those folding room chairs, storage furniture, all that fun dorm stuff.

i also had a tool kit and it was handy.

let me give a quick list of what i remember needing:
bedding (sheets, mattress padding/topper, comforter/blanket,pillows)
school supplies
shower stuff (towels, shower sandals, shower caddy w/ showering supplies)
desk lamp/fan/alarm clock/tv/ brita filter
under bed storage/risers may be needed
cleaning supplies (i had an electric broom type thing, windex, paper towels, cleaning wipes, oust & febreeze)
laundry (hamper, detergent, quarters, iron/ironing board, hangers)
tool kit
command hooks and sticky tabs for posters
snacks! (ramen noodles, snack bars, chips, cookies, pb & j etc - fruit i always snagged from the dining hall)

bedding we got at Bed bath & beyond, with coupons and it lasted my brother 2 years and me four. various things like shampoo, soap, towels etc my mother got on sale whereever she could. tool kit would be good to get now with fathers day and sales around the corner. school supplies at walmart or target before you go, the bookstore prices can be killer!

also encourage them to buy used books or shop around online to nap the best price.

 

[momxx5]

Thanks so much.
I just want to have an idea so as I see sales/deals I can grab them.

All super great ideas/suggestions.

 

[kellyg403]

I agree with others, the basics. Depending on the bed, sheets and comforter. Pillow. Towels and washcloths. We did 4 towels and 4 washcloths for dd, and honestly that was enough. I caught sales later and got her a couple more here and there.

The truth is, my first college student. I really overbought. The dorms are small and I loaded up the Yukon and moved her in. And brought back a bunch of stuff! If the college is not too far its best to get what you think he will need to start off and then go from there.

Bedding
Towels/washcloths
laundry/cleaning supplies (these usually last all semester)
fan
extenstion cords
School supplies (the best sales are at the beginning of the year, I bought enough to send her care packages or whenever she was home she could grab what she needed)
A over the door shoe organizer. My dd never used it for shoes. The bathrooms are small with zero storage, so the slots were used for hair pieces, shampoo, makeup stuff that usually sits on the sink. Their sinks did not have any space for anything
Junk Food. Easy micro foods. My dd had a meal plan, but honestly she spent a lot of time her first sememester learning the 'college' way and getting herself organized. She ended up eating in her room quite a bit so that she could do her homework and projects. This also meant that the 2nd year I could go with a smaller meal plan. I bought a bigger one the first year thinking she would eat at the cafeteria or food courts 3xs a day...I paid for a few meal credits that didn't get used! You can save money with a lesser plan!

What an exciting time! Honestly, what goes on at school stays at school I think because they go out a lot everyone is showering but cleaning and laundry...not so much!


Kelly