Freshman "Funds"

[MinnieJay]

So I am guessing MATH isn't your major?
YOU said you spend $70 every two weeks for food
70 divided by 14 ( there are 14 days in two weeks, BTW) = $5 a day for food

Honestly , most college kids don't use crock pots
So let's say $1 breakfast....granola bar and milk
$2 lunch....can soup
$3 dinner.... A value meal at Wendy's

Not healthy & high in sodium

I don't eat that way lol. I would be starving lol. I get the math part. I GET THE MATH PART EVERYONE. I didn't just waltz into college y'all but just because I buy something RIGHT then, doesn't mean I use it. I stock up on items. Pasta noodles, spaghetti sauces, meats, etc. I spend 70 but doesn't mean I eat 70 dollars worth a week. I live an hour away from home, I go home sometimes, my boyfriend is the major cooker, I eat over there a lot as well. Yes, I'm also aware most college students don't cook with a crockpot, but goodness, Pinterest has opened my mind to a lot but I doubt a guy is pinning crockpot recipes lol

 

[Buckalew11]

That's what I thought, too so we snuck up there one NON parent visit day and ate. The food is remarkably good and for feeding a teenaged boy, the price is tolerable.

Yikes, 2442!! I guess they can charge whatever they want, huh?

They can because it is mandatory. Over 8000. for R&B for the year!

Yep and the kids who lived under the tightest reigns run wild the most!

Kinda like you can always tell the kids who don't get cookies at home by the way they go crazy when offered them away from the parents.

This made me laugh. My sister would not let her kids have sugar. I had them over for pizza and a movie and we made cookies (with her permission). The youngest one ate like 12 cookies that night! I thought for sure she would be sick...I had no idea until her sister told me!

Then I met the sister's teacher and he said, "Oh yes, I know your niece. I keep a bowl of candy on my desk and she always eats it all!"

My child will work at college - she will study and attend classes. That is her job - more than a full-time commitment. I don't want her worrying about anything else.

This is our theory too. She will actually do work study (AT) and that'll be spending money. We'll be taking care of the rest. DH's parents did it for him and he wants to do it for his. Since I didn't go to college, I want her to not worry about the $$ part of it.

My nephew (whose parents are divorcing) is having to take care of most of his own college. It is a huge burden to him and he worries constantly from semester to semester. Sad, because his older sister had no worries as hers was paid for by grandma but grandma isn't taking care of the rest because her son decided to bail from the marriage.

No I'm not a math major ma'am. All I did was answer the question. Yes, I am thin, so what fills me wont fill a 19 year old guy. I get that part. But if I was spending 500 on groceries every month, I would probably be eating lobster tails right now. OP knows her son best and how much he eats. Y'all know your children best and what is good for your families. What's 140 a month for one person, may take 400 to feed another. Doesn't take a math genius to figure that out.

You seem like a delight. I know your mom is proud of you!!

I don't eat that way lol. I would be starving lol. I get the math part. I GET THE MATH PART EVERYONE. I didn't just waltz into college y'all but just because I buy something RIGHT then, doesn't mean I use it. I stock up on items. Pasta noodles, spaghetti sauces, meats, etc. I spend 70 but doesn't mean I eat 70 dollars worth a week. I live an hour away from home, I go home sometimes, my boyfriend is the major cooker, I eat over there a lot as well. Yes, I'm also aware most college students don't cook with a crockpot, but goodness, Pinterest has opened my mind to a lot but I doubt a guy is pinning crockpot recipes lol

And I like Pinterest too. Some great recipes there.

One of my favorite CP recipes is a weight watchers one: Chicken into the slow cooker and salsa over that. Serve it over rice. yum! Then you can use the chicken for a quesadilla with chicken and cheese or a chicken taco etc. Really good flavors.

And someone mentioned when you use a half of a pepper--you can chop up the rest and freeze it and pull it out and add it as needed! DD does this all the time with both peppers and onions.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I will take exception to this. It is not Harvard but many of us have received a good education from C of O. I have a B.S. in math and believe me I worked very hard for it and my degree is in no way inferior. I had a 30 on my ACT so it is not like I did not have other options - most of the students are there because they simply could not afford to go elsewhere. I am a database administrator for a large regional insurance company and my DH is a chemist with our state university. I have many friends who have been very successful in their careers after C of O. So save your speech about mediocrity.....

It's not an insult to call something mediocre, although I suppose it has negative connotations and I could have said a school of "moderate" or "average" quality. Would you dispute that categorization? I also understand that most people don't go to an Ivy League school, a top tier school, or even go to college at all, but for one to aspire for their child to go to a mid-range school, particularly because of a fallacious belief as to the universality of the values espoused by the students at that school, doesn't make sense to me. Why not aim higher?

I also understand that people can get a good education at pretty much any school, as water will always find its own level, but it is empirically shown that students graduating from top tier schools do better, on average, than graduates of mid-tier and lower-tier schools; of course there are exceptions, but they are exceptions because they are not the norm. Even "average" students at top schools tend to do better that their peers at mid-range schools. Entire dissertations have been written on the "why and how" of those outcomes, and it's not a coincidence, so to pretend that it doesn't exist strikes me as disingenuous.

And lastly, I am deeply bothered by the disparity that exists and the foreclosing on the American dream as a result of the spiraling cost of higher education and the wide disparity in K-12 educational quality in this country, so the fact that I benefited from the system does not mean I think it's "right" or fair. I'm sure I come off as a snob, but c'est la vie...

 

[Hannathy]

I don't eat that way lol. I would be starving lol. I get the math part. I GET THE MATH PART EVERYONE. I didn't just waltz into college y'all but just because I buy something RIGHT then, doesn't mean I use it. I stock up on items. Pasta noodles, spaghetti sauces, meats, etc. I spend 70 but doesn't mean I eat 70 dollars worth a week. I live an hour away from home, I go home sometimes, my boyfriend is the major cooker, I eat over there a lot as well. Yes, I'm also aware most college students don't cook with a crockpot, but goodness, Pinterest has opened my mind to a lot but I doubt a guy is pinning crockpot recipes lol

So you really aren't eating for $35 a week. It is kinda misleading to tell someone that their child should be able to eat for $35 a week because you can, and then it comes out you really aren't either!!!

 

[Nancy]

Try disgust! I'm sick of coddled "children" thinking others should pay for their lives.

That says volumes about you

I just had to quote you with your own quote because I couldn't have said it better and what I really want to say would most likely get me points for the first time ever.

So when you go grocery shopping, and spend whatever amount of money you spend, you divide it in your head as ___ amount per day? I buy food, I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, so yes, 3 meals a day by spending 70 every two weeks. I don't think of terms as 5 dollars a day. even if my breakfast is a quick granola and some yogurt on the way to class. And I cook big dinners, enough for me to eat for lunch while I'm at work the next day. I'm not struggling or eating Ramen noodles every day.

I get what you are saying about it not really being 5.00 a day. I spend around 125.00 for DH and I. But maybe 20-25.00 of that isn't going to all be eaten that week. I mean I but a thing of mayo and I'm not eating the whole container in 1 week. I also know that what I buy is really only for 5 nights because at least 2 nights a week I don't feel like cooking.

I like your crock pot idea. DD is moving of campus this year so I just made a suggestion to her. She already has a crockpot and she does know how to cook.

Now if someone has a suggestion on how to keep a cut avocado from turning ugly overnight in the fridge I would love it. She likes turkey and avocado wraps but we always ending up tossing half even with storing in the fridge so I hate buying them.

ETA: to answer the OP. I would probably start on the higher side, you can always adjust down as needed. I know you can do it the other way but this way you know that they won't run short while you are getting settled with an amount.

 

[badblackpug]

I felt the same way when my kids got a bit older and I could actually read a book on the beach.

I think what is the problem, nchulka, is not what you believe or how you do things, but your emphatic discrimination and judgement of those who do things differently. It is one of the strongest judgemental attitudes I have probably seen on the DIS in awhile. And while I get that you want to live morally and do things with honor, being so critical and distasteful of others' choices totally destroys the good intentions you have with your own life.

I might love to sit by the pool and read. Why should I be judged for that? I could honestly sit here and call you an overbearing meddling mom because you don't "let" your kids play alone at the pool, but I would never do that. Because I don't bother to even think that way when I see it happening. I just think "Oh there's someone who enjoys playing pool games". No big deal.

You seem so full of judgement for people who are unlike you.

I absolutely do not drink or smoke (maybe for different reasons than you) but I would never, ever pass a judgement on someone who does. It agrees with them, it doesn't agree with me.

This was very well put, and very nicely, also. Much more nicely than I would have worded it, so thank you for saving me the points!

I'm so excited. I never expected one of my questions to turn into a debate on ANYTHING!.


I am so appreciative of all the opinions on the finances of feeding yourself. Thanks guys. My husband had suggested $400 which I thought sounded so high, but I guess it isn't. I have never actually sat down and thought about what costs might be, so this is very eye opening. (and so was the other stuff. FWIW, the 3 year old on the trike should wear the helmet so he grows up knowing that when he is riding on the freeway, he wears a helmet) So, back to the $ issue....

The student will have a car, so getting to real stores and my guess, organic produce stands, will not be a problem. Refrigeration, stoves, cabinets for storing....none of that will be an issue either.

As for whether it will end up being a trip to the grocery or a trip to a restaurant, I am not sure. I just don't know what to anticipate.

This will be a learning experience for both of us! The moving towards independence by learning to budget the money to last all month, making sure he can still buy gas for the car. I loved the reference to decisions of steak and ice cream,then PBJ to even it out for the rest of the week. We are very happy that we can provide the funds for college, but want it to be a learning process in moving from me shopping and cooking to him taking on these tasks.

For the poster that asked......there is no "meal plan" available. There is a restaurant where they can eat, and I know he will often. But it is not a traditional freshman dining hall type of environment.

I think $400 sounds appropriate. I spend about $800 on a family of 7. I think learning to budget is very important. Nothing teaches you responsibility like a week of ramen LOL. No seriously, I think that learning to live within a budget is a good life skill, and it is trial and error. I do remember being young, and blowing my budget going out, and then learning to make do on what I had left in the cupboard, or eating very, very cheaply for the remainder of the month.

I also think a recipe book like this would be a good gift. http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Colle...4062699&sr=1-3&keywords=recipe+budget+healthy

As soon as I could drive my mother made me do the grocery shopping in high school. I was given a list and money. I learned to look for sales, and I learned to coupon (at 17) It proved to be a very, very valuable skill.

 

[disykat]

OP - I would say maybe $75/week...$300/month? Enough to get salad stuff, some chx, some fruit, some fish, some sides. Eggs, beans, cheese, veggies, etc. are pretty cheap. Can make most meals out of those.

My son hasn't moved out of the dorm yet, but this is about what I'm expecting. We'll provide staples when we drive him over and he can shop in our pantry on vacations. He has a good grocery store nearby. He pays for his own "extras" in terms of personal expenses, so eating out is something he pays for himself.

He is used to being frugal so we had problems with him in the dorm not eating enough. First term he only used half of his meal plan money! (And trust me, I knew this would be an issue and had explicitly broken it down for him by day/week etc. making sure he knew to SPEND!) The rest of the year he was on the minimum plan and still ended up treating all his friends to use up the remainder.

I have fond memories of living on a tight budget with my roommates when I moved off campus in college. I don't want to take that away from my kids. (And yes, I'm serious!)

 

[MinnieJay]

So you really aren't eating for $35 a week. It is kinda misleading to tell someone that their child should be able to eat for $35 a week because you can, and then it comes out you really aren't either!!!

Never ONCE did I say HER child should eat off of 35 a week. One of OP questions was, and I quote, "How much do you think you spend on food for one person in a month?". And I answered the question.

I give up. From reading these threads, and boards in general, for people who love to vacation in one of the "happiest places on Earth", y'all are a snarky bunch. Have blessed days and to the OP, I hope your son has a successful time in college and no matter how much you give him, I'm sure you won't let him go hungry

 

[Swan4Me]

I never said I was sending them out, I said they are legally able to after that 18th birthday if they choose to. There is a difference, and if my children choose to, I better make darn sure they are prepared. That means, to me that they need to start being financially responsible for their needs, even when they are in college. Getting a degree is only part of their job when they are there. Learning how to live in the real world, where people have jobs and have to learn to balance work with anything else going on in their life so they can afford to live, is the other (invaluable) education they need.
You know the whole, prepare your child for the path, not the path for your child, thing.

Just wanted to make it clear that I don't begrudge anyone who chooses to support their adult child while they are in school. If that is what works for you and yours that is great, its just not something I'm planning to do for my kids.

That is exactly how my brother and Wife feel-and it has NOT worked.
They refused to help with any costs...so both sons joined Military-reserves and national guard...but that $$ plus part time jobs is still not enough for tuition and books.
So after 10 years, and still only 3 semesters completed with less that stellar grades(and changing majors every other year), oldest hopes to somehow finish with a General Studies degree.....meantime works at a place that sells additives to Body Builders and makes Smoothies all day, and lives at home.I worry about his future....brother keeps saying he needs a degree-I think he needs a job with a future and he did electrical work for one semester-to me that was something he should stick with.Electricians make good money .
I look at my 2 and am so thankful that they have careers, with great companies, Health Insurance , 401k's , etc.......and its because we helped them and they were able to finish college in 4 years with NO DEBT

 

[bdcp]

I guess I'm still confused. Someone going away to college SHOULD know how to take care of themselves in a reasonable way. They SHOULD know how to cook an inexpensive, nutritious meal. As parents, we've had 18 years to teach them these things, and if we haven't, it's OUR failure, not theirs. How sad. My kids have already begun making their own meals (they are 12), and doing their own laundry. We talk about good/not good food choices. We cook together. We shop together. They know what a "good" value is in food, and what is not. By 18, they better be able to plan a week's worth of meals for themselves for $100 (in today's money) or I will consider myself a major failure.

It's just silly, to me, to say they can get out of college still not doing those things because they need to devote themselves to their studies. Realistically, it does not take more than 40 hours a week to go to class, and study for said classes (I'm more than willing to bet that the average kid spends way less than this, actually). That leaves plenty of time...at least as much as the average working adult has...to take care of the basics of shopping, meal preparation, etc. And, plenty of time to also have fun.

Knowing how to and doing so are two different things. Occasionally my sons and their roommates would cook a nice meal (on the weekend) but more often than not they ate frozen meals, sandwiches, pizza, etc because they just weren't motivated to spend a lot of time cooking. That came with age.

 

[bdcp]

Let me burst your C of O cherry. I graduated from dear old C of O and you cannot guarantee they will not be exposed to other ideas and situations there. For the record:

I drank at C of O. I am not really a smoker or druggie but believe me it was available.

I had SEX at C of O and I was certainly not alone. The dorms are closed to the opposite sex so everyone just got creative. You never knew what you might see off on some more secluded paths on campus. Oh and those cheap $29/night hotel rooms in Branson during off season were fabulous. Many, many, many girls got pregnant.

I am against adultery but not homosexuality. I think people are born gay and they should be able to marry and have all other civil rights that I have.

I am a working Mom as are the vast majority of the women I went to C of O with.

And probably worst of all......I voted Democrat!





I will take exception to this. It is not Harvard but many of us have received a good education from C of O. I have a B.S. in math and believe me I worked very hard for it and my degree is in no way inferior. I had a 30 on my ACT so it is not like I did not have other options - most of the students are there because they simply could not afford to go elsewhere. I am a database administrator for a large regional insurance company and my DH is a chemist with our state university. I have many friends who have been very successful in their careers after C of O. So save your speech about mediocrity.....

My youngest went to a conservative christian college in PA and believe me, even though it was a "dry" campus, lots of kids drank, some to excess and a lot had sex. In a lot of ways, the fact there were restrictions on drinking (even if they were 21) made the covert drinking more common. Those over 21 thought it was ridiculous that the school tried to control their personal lives. This school was/is ivy league comparable. Their nursing and accounting graduates pass their "boards" at close to 100%. They also have a great athletic program, but they are a small school so most outside of the PA/MD/VA area haven't heard of them.

Even though we are a conservative christian family, we now wish he had gone to a state school like his brother did. That school really messed with his faith.

Anyway, as for the food costs, it really does depend on many factors. As I said above, location controls food costs. Also, some kids eat a lot, and some are very, very picky, just like adults. How many time haven't we seen posts about where to feed an adult on the boards who will only eat meat and potatoes?

 

[hj0519]

As a senior in college living in an off campus house I spent $45-$55 a week at the grocery store. Now as a new grad with a full-time job, I spend $50-$60 a week at the grocery store, eat out for lunch 2-3 times a week, and rarely eat out or get take out for dinner.

I buy a mix of frozen food, some fruits and veggies, snacks, drinks, and a meat. I occasionally ate on campus when I was busy and ate out or got take out once or twice a week.

Typical meals for me include: chicken stir fry, chicken wraps, sausage and peppers, pasta, tacos, salad with chicken, chicken fingers and fries, frozen pizzas, mac and cheese...not gourmet or the healthiest, but I'm perfectly fine with it.

For reference, I'm a girl that doesn't eat a ton so that may not work for people who have boys playing football or whatever, but it's plenty for me.

And I went to a liberal arts college and my parents paid my tuition and all my living expenses. I didn't party, I graduated with good grades, and I was fully employed within two weeks of graduating at my dream company. My parents paying my way has worked out just fine for me.

 

[Swan4Me]

For reference, I'm a girl that doesn't eat a ton so that may not work for people who have boys playing football or whatever, but it's plenty for me.

And I went to a liberal arts college and my parents paid my tuition and all my living expenses. I didn't party, I graduated with good grades, and I was fully employed within two weeks of graduating at my dream company. My parents paying my way has worked out just fine for me.

Every parents dream-your kid graduates from college, debt free and gets their dream job! Congrats!