What are "other expenses"?

[dminnie]

What are the "other expenses" we need to consider when budgeting for college? All the colleges list "other expsenses"...what have they been for you?

I'm assuming: extra spending money, clothes, travel. What should we be thinking of for this?

 

[jenniy122]

food/snacks, going out, school supplies, online subscriptions (netflix, amazon, etc), toiletries

 

[Cais]

Alcohol.

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[leeg229]

Alcohol.

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

 

[emilyindisney]

I think that usually refers to food, potential travel expenses, things you'd need to furnish the dorm room, etc.

 

[Musings]

I wouldn't recommend wasting your money on alcohol than a few times if you really want the experience. College living is rough for the first year or so, though getting a summer job can help ease that pain. I don't recommend working full time during the semester if you don't have to.

-Travel is up to you. If you live in a dorm, you will usually be required to go home, so you'll need money to go home during the breaks, alternatively find a friend who can give you a ride.

- Dorms are sometimes required for first year students, but cheaper options are usually off campus. That being said, you will need transportation.

- Gas if you have it, depending on where you live, in Minnesota, it is impossible to bike during the winter/spring days. So people either need to use the bus or live close enough to walk to campus.

- Food. Budget appropriately. Decide which meal plan works for you (though typically better to just buy your own groceries).

- Laundry costs. Dryer/washer.

- If you don't have a computer, consider what you'll need for class. Does your university have a printer card? If not, printing.

- Books are the biggest expense outside of meal plans and tuition costs. Look on amazon, school stores are typically more expensive than you need. You may also wish to wait and see if the professor actually uses the required book. If it is math though, buy the book. Particularly if there is online portions to it. Often time it is homework assigned within the first week.

- Social activities. What do you plan on doing for fun? Budget appropriately.

If you don't plan to hold a job down during the semester, make sure you have a plan to cover costs and be realistic about what you can spend extra money on. Don't charge things to credit cards if you can't pay it off that month.