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02.24.12, 10:58 AM General Topics
137 replies
Is $1,300 per month allowance ok for ds going away for college? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 02.24.12, 10:58 AM Flag
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Depends. What are they supposed to pay for with that? Housing, meals, just extras? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 10:59 AM Flag
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Is he expected to pay rent and utilities with that? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 10:59 AM Flag
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$250 is reasonable. $1300 will be used for alcohol, drugs and paying others to write his papers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:03 AM Flag
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I would say $500 is reasonable for food/going out. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:04 AM Flag
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He says he can't live on that and he likes to go out and do activities that cost $. Also shopping. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:07 AM Flag
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Give $500 cash for food/going out and a credit card for shopping (clothes etc so you can monitor it) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:09 AM Flag
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Wait, I just read he goes to school at NYU, different story. I would give $600 food/going out and then credit card. It is expensive here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:11 AM Flag
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There's no way *I* spend $600 a month, let alone a teenager who should earn his own spending money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:16 AM Flag
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Do you live in nyc? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:24 AM Flag
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Yes, I do. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:25 AM Flag
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What if her son wants to go to dinner 1x/week plus regular meals. It is costly here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:29 AM Flag
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Well then he could pay for it with his own money. No college kid needs to go splurge once a week. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:31 AM Flag
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I don't think college kids need to goto Per Se every week. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:41 AM Flag
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NP. Why does everybody think allowance is solely for meals? His allowance as a college student in NYC would include money for cultural events like opera or film festival passes etc. It's sad not all kids get that opportunity but such is the world. I myself won't withhold beneficial, educational extras from my son out of guilt. And I'm a liberal. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.26.12, 08:56 AM Flag
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Also depending on his major he may have a lot of extras to buy. Getting my BFA I spent a couple hundred a month every month on art supplies. Kids whose parents can't pay for that must then accumulate credit card debt; they can't just not buy any supplies. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.26.12, 09:00 AM Flag
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how about ummm getting a damn job? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:50 AM Flag
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You're one of those people who think $500k is middle class in NYC, aren't you? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:57 AM Flag
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College kids don't get to enjoy a luxurious adult life just because they are in NYC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:24 PM Flag
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No shit! What if he wants to go out?? Well, let's see when I want to go out I have to go to work and pay for it. I also did this during college...at Columbia. I went to college AND worked to pay for what I wanted to do in my (almost non-existent) free time. My parents would have NEVER considered giving me money to "go out" in addition to paying for my school. Plenty of parents did, however, and almost without exception theirs were the kids who had little respect for much of anything and floated through school partying on their parents dime. Yuck. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:32 PM Flag
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Hear hear! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:37 PM Flag
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And we had a great time and still got good grades and awesome jobs. Oh, well. Some people have it better than others, why should we be made to feel guilty for it? I certainly never rubbed it in anyone's face, in fact, this is the closest to ever even admitting it to someone that I had so much given to me. And UB doesn't really count. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.25.12, 01:48 PM Flag
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And that's why god invented part time jobs. You will be spoiling him if you give him money because he likes to do expensive things. He's ostensively an adult, he shoukd figure out how to subsidize his own interests. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:10 AM Flag
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tell him to *gasp* get a job [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:11 AM Flag
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I did - studies show kids who wk a few hrs a week do better in class - they learn time management. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:14 AM Flag
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I did much better in school when I was working a heavier schedule. I had to budget my time better and couldn't count on being able to study for a test the night before. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:28 PM Flag
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And those are great skills to learn early on. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:36 PM Flag
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Yes, but here I sit on UB, so it clearly didn't stick.... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:08 PM Flag
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"also shopping"? Did you say you have a son or a daughter? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 04:45 PM Flag
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The word shopping doesn't always mean skipping around antique shops and rainbow satchel stores. It means buying things. Don't be so flipping literal, lol. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.25.12, 01:49 PM Flag
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he says he can't live on that? Tell him to get a job if he wants more spending money. You have to teach responsibility [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 07:07 PM Flag
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Especially adderol, I had a friend in college who bought a used car with the money he made selling his adderol prescription refills. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:05 AM Flag
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If just spending money, i.e. keg money, than that is ridiculous!! Housing is usually part of the parent total tuition bill, so somehow I don't think that is what op is referring to. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:04 AM Flag
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OP - housing is already covered. Just extra for him. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:04 AM Flag
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way too much!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:06 AM Flag
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$300/week is a lot especially if his meals are also covered. Where will he go to school (ie, NYC versus south bend, indianan)? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:06 AM Flag
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You realize I live in NYC and support a DD off 3000 a month and you want to give your DC that as petty cash allowance! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:06 AM Flag
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^^^no wonder I couldnt afford to eat out with my friends in college. They had $1300 a month allowances. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:07 AM Flag
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We live in Miami. He's going to NYU. He complains that everytime he goes to NYC money goes so quickly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:09 AM Flag
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He's spoiled. He needs to earn his own money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:11 AM Flag
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NY students are creative..they learn where to get bargains and live on the cheap in the city. Don't spoil him. He can always work a few hours a week for beer money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:16 AM Flag
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You need to explain to him that he needs to earn his own money [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:21 AM Flag
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I went to NYU. If ever there was an easy time in life to live in NYC cheaply, it was then. Lots of cheap eats & free stuff to do. What is your son thinking, he's going to be a big shot and hang out with IBs at the clubs? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:23 PM Flag
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He wants to drink $500 bottles of vodka with the Prince of Monaco. You are totally correct - living cheap in NY is easy at that age - and most of his buddies will be in the same boat. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:38 PM Flag
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don't buy the bullshit. I went to NYU, I live in the village, I can't tell you how many poor students there are at NYU and they find a way to do things. He does NOT need over $300 per week for spending money. The bars have specials, he's not going to Per Se (very $$$$ restaurant) to eat. They eat out..burger, thai, etc...not too $$$. He also doesn't need to be treating ppl and he needs to learn that mommy will always pay his way. $500-$600 is just fine [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 07:10 PM Flag
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If his housing and food is covered, I'd give him a small amount of "mad money" and then a shared credit card he can use to buy toiletries, occasional meal out etc. That way he knows you see the bill. The truth is that college bookstores have most of what he'll need day-to-day? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:06 AM Flag
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NP. That's what my father did; he gave me a shared credit card for extras and supplies and gave me a limited cash allowance for rent and food. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.26.12, 09:02 AM Flag
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I realize I went to college 18 years ago, but my parents gave me no spending money. Period. I had a meal plan in the dorms. I saved money from my summer jobs and it averaged out to $8/week -- plenty for a couple of slices of pizza, etc. (I lived in a college town and didn't need a car.) I also didn't drink, so I didn't need booze money. I really don't think parents should give kids "pocket money" -- that's what jobs are for (I then got one my second semester and that paid for concerts, etc.). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:07 AM Flag
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Totally agree with you...they should handle their own spending money - maybe a credit card for emergencies - and those should be clearly defined. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:20 AM Flag
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+1 The only spending money I had in college was what I saved from my summer job. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 07:46 PM Flag
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He could get a job [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:09 AM Flag
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Whoa - my dad was a partner at a biglaw firm and even I "only" got $500/semester (graduated in 2007), which also had to include my books (although I did have a cafeteria meal plan). The rest came from summer jobs/babysitting while in school. College kids piss away an inordinate amount of time, which is certainly part of the experience if you're lucky enough, but also one that you do not need to contribute to! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:10 AM Flag
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liar. Sorry, but I also graduated in 2007 and there's no way you were using $500 to even cover books. I was a biochem and math major, books were close to $900 a semester. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:07 PM Flag
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you are right- it didnt cover books but i had my own $ to make up the difference. i was also really cheap so would use outdated editions from sorority sisters/library or just not buy certain books. i was a polisci/russian major so could get away w it easier than a science major [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:21 PM Flag
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^ my folks also gave me the gift of tuition, room, and board, which is a lot more than most. good balance imo bw fostering work ethic and supporting my college education [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:25 PM Flag
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is food covered too? because when i was in college, if it wasn't food, boks, housing, or clothes, i had to work for the money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:52 PM Flag
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When I was in college I got $1000/month for everything but rent (this was after I moved out of dorms Junior year). Paid utilities, all food, transport and extras. For a freshman going into the dorms with a meal plan I think $600/month is more than enough [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:08 AM Flag
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hahahahahaha [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:08 AM Flag
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Way too much. Maybe $500 and the rest he can earn on his own during the summer or the school year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:10 AM Flag
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put $250 in cash in a bank account for him each month and he can withdraw as need be from an ATM. Also open a joint credit card that you pay, for items like clothing, textbooks, gas. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:11 AM Flag
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Way too much. If meals are provided, $50/wk. My kids used summer job money. 2nd semester, worked a few hrs a week for spending money and had money in the bank at the end of the school yr. We were very clear that they were responsible for their own spending money...and they came through nicely. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:11 AM Flag
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in grad school i got a 1900$ stipend as a TA and used that to cover all expenses including housing in Boston, so 1200 should be plenty. However, I suggest you have DS put together a budget so you see what he plans to spend it on. Maybe even go lower, and have him ask for "bonus" for special activities, like a weekend trip or something. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:13 AM Flag
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OK guys. DH is on your side. He said $450 is more than enough and I got him up to $650 with so much pleading. But DS came to me and said its not enough and he can't live on it. I am so emotional and crying often that he's moving away so I'm vulnerable right now. I would take DG & my agreed $650 and take out another $650 from my own account and make up the difference without telling DH. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:17 AM Flag
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Don't do it! Let him learn to be a bit more self sufficient! His basic needs will be taken care of...at this point the extras should not all come from you!!!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:20 AM Flag
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don't do it!! he needs to learn the value of money! how does he know what he can or cannot live on? did he make a budget or something? you have to make it clear that college is for studying, not for partying! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:20 AM Flag
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(and if he really needs more, you can renegociate 3 months in maybe - or he can find a job on weekends to make money!) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:21 AM Flag
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You're on crack. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:21 AM Flag
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+1 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:24 AM Flag
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you are a wimp. cut the apron strings and be united with your dh on this. The kid is a spoiled brat it sounds like. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:21 AM Flag
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i asked my parents for a stipend during my last year of college (when I learned my sister got one). they said no, i was able to do it on my own. and i did. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:22 AM Flag
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This has to be fake [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:22 AM Flag
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I hope so. Please don't let my daughter marry this dude. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:25 AM Flag
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I hope my son doesn't marry some version of the mother! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:29 AM Flag
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Agreed...think of the Thanksgivings... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:31 AM Flag
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You are not doing him any favors - especially with the job market he may face in a few yrs. And lying to your husband about that...and your son will know that...really? About now I'd say things are hopeless for your son and prepare now for him to be living at home till he's 30. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:24 AM Flag
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How could he know now that he can't live on $650? He hasn't even tried yet! He is manipulating you because he knows you're an easy target. But you are not doing him any favors by giving in. Let dh handle this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:31 AM Flag
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You sound crazy and your kid is beyond spoiled. I feel truly sorry for his future wife. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:33 AM Flag
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Honestly if you are so emotional and crying over this, then the problem is YOU. your son spots the weak link and is trying to milk you for more. COME ON! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:39 AM Flag
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WOW. You are hellbent on raising a spoiled, entitled, underhanded shithead. Good job, mom! Tell your son to BE A MAN. Let him get a job, or learn to be resourceful and clever with money. That's how you raise a real man. You're raising a wuss. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:27 PM Flag
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OK, if this is true this is crazy and you need to get a grip. I'm worried about how easily your kid is manipulating you; it's not healthy for anyone in the family. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:43 PM Flag
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Get a grip. You love your son, right? 650 a month is well beyond what anyone needs if housing and food are paid for!! That is 650 a month that will go towards alcohol and occasionally eating out. He is begging you for more and saying he can't live off of it because he knows that you are sad about him going away and he is MANIPULATING you. Also, he is probably nervous about fitting in so he wants more money but believe me, 650 a month in pure spending money is well more than his friends will have. If you prefer, give him a joint credit card and say "spend what you think is reasonable and your father and I will review it each month", and then see for yourself what he spends his money on. (And assume that any cash he pulls out with the credit card is going for alcohol or pot) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:25 PM Flag
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OMG no sea pendeja...no no no...I'm born and raised in NYUs area and also an NYU grad. No way in HELL does your son need that much. He's playing you...he is playing you HARD. When I was at NYU it was Ramen noodles, potato and butter, pizza, burgers, etc. No need for over a grand of spending money. Are you shitting me? Come on [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 07:14 PM Flag
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DH wins here, this is an enormous amount of money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 07:17 PM Flag
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tell him to get a job. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:34 AM Flag
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as a family of 3 we don't spend that much on food which includes groceries and eating out. It is way too much [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:41 AM Flag
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I gave mine $2K plus an emergency card while they were at NYU. It is really difficult to get the full college experience without being able to do and wear all the things your friends do. Don't deny your son this one opportunity to have a great college experience. Did you deny him private school for K-12? denying him this cash would be the equivalent of sending him to public school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:42 AM Flag
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barf [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:43 AM Flag
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You are wacky. He'll be fine..and will learn to budget and prioritize. Not many of his classmates will have that amount of spending money. And part-jobs are not the end of the world. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:46 AM Flag
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You sound like a real prize. The real college experience on $2000 a month? What's going to happen when he graduates and gets an entry-level job that pays $40k a year and he has to manage to pay rent, taxes, food, etc? Well, I guess mommy will always be there to give him a handout. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:47 AM Flag
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So.... many... things... wrong... with... this... post. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:47 AM Flag
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Seriously. "Deny" him private? Ick. Just ick. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 04:57 PM Flag
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That's one of the funniest things I've ever read here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:49 AM Flag
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So, you don't send your kids to private school precisely because he'll grow up to be like OP's DS or this OR [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:49 AM Flag
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So, so very glad I have never run across someone like you at our private -- it would have caused us to switch to public. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:29 PM Flag
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That [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:41 PM Flag
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Would so much rather be a public school than on a PA project with you...you are just so, so wrong. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:44 PM Flag
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Since when did a great college experience involve needing 2k a month spending money? AFTER housing and food? I thought the college experience was focused more on learning... and finding yourself... and making friends... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:26 PM Flag
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Well, we have a steady HHI of over 2.5MM and even with all that we have, our children know they're not entitled to it. You sound like an ignorant, materialistic wannabe and you turned your son into the same. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:28 PM Flag
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THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE AT THE OP's EXPENSE!!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 02:25 PM Flag
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+1 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 02:51 PM Flag
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And this is exactly how you raise entitled kids. When I went away to college, my parents opened a bank account for me with $1000. That was the last penny that I took from them for the next four years. I came from very wealthy parents and they did pay my college tuition, but let me tell you it felt so liberating to not have to ask for an allowance any more. I had a part-time job on campus that paid me $8 an hour, by senior year I was up to $11 an hour. I felt rich if my bank account ever reached $100. I learnt so much about money management and it really felt good to buy only things that I could afford. OP, you are doing your son a huge disservice if you subsidize his way through college. Trust me, he will end up being 40 years old and still dependent on you for money (like my BIL, who is 42, married with three kids, and still takes money from his parents.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:43 AM Flag
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Agreed. OP, are you Italian, by chance? Sorry, but this sounds just like my soon-to-be-ex's mother's mentality. I am Italian, too, so it definitely sounds familiar. Wondering if it's a cultural thing. Fwiw this happens in my family/ex's family but only with the sons/men. Very irritating for many reasons. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 05:00 PM Flag
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OP, I understand that you don't want him to feel left out, but you are giving him drug/alcohol money. There is no way an 18 year old with housing paid for and a meal plan can legitimately be spending $300 week. I would give him $100 cash and a credit card for clothing, books, things for his dorm room. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:49 AM Flag
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Wow! Isn't part of the great part of college bonding over the bad food, drinking cheap beer and wearing sweatpants while digging for enough change to buy weed? Glad I went to a small liberal arts school in the 90s if things have changed that much. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:56 AM Flag
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Exactly! It's actually a fun part of life. Then as you get older & start earning money & getting to do more expensive things, it feels so rewarding because you've earned it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:28 PM Flag
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When my dad was in school he would take dates to the theater. They would volunteer as ushers at the theater and then watch the play for free. It was understood that people didn't have the money to spend on things like that. I love that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:33 PM Flag
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Agreed! Part of the fun is that you aren't an adult, you are a kid with the thrill of no supervision and $10 to last you the weekend. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:42 PM Flag
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far too much money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:57 AM Flag
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You are doing your son a HUGE disservice [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 11:58 AM Flag
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Get out of town. This must be fake. Alright, I realize this is almost 20 years ago, but when I was in school in NYC, my dad gave me $1000/month -- to cover EVERYTHING including my share of rent. I scraped by, ate cheaply (it's possible in NY), didn't buy clothes, didn't go on expensive vacations, etc. It's possible to have a perfectly nice existence in this great city without spending a lot of money, esp. since a lot of the other kids won't have tons of cash, either. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:01 PM Flag
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Yeah, that's more than enough money for him to pay for his and his friend's drugs and alcohol. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:27 PM Flag
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JUST SAY 'NO' - every time you do, it gets easier. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:31 PM Flag
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At 18 she's a little late to this rule [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:39 PM Flag
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Better late than never. Start now, by 30, her DS might have a clue. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:05 PM Flag
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I got my first job when I was 15, and that is the last time I got any kind of "allowance" from my parents. They paid my college tuition, room and board, but I earned all my own spending money from part time or summer jobs. IMO, many UMC parents do their DC a HUGE disservice by not expecting them to work. These DC show up in the workplace for the first time in their early 20s and they are clueless and an absolutely nightmare to manage. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 12:48 PM Flag
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This is how much I was given and I didn't use it for drugs or alcohol. Only you know your kid. Graduated in 2007, FWIW. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:00 PM Flag
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^^And, just saw that he's going to NYU. I went as well. These women are still living in 1977 if they think $500 is enough for a month. I paid for everything out of that $1300 (it was actually $1200). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:02 PM Flag
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Including housing? Because this is above and beyond housing and a meal plan. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:06 PM Flag
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Meal plans at NYU are very expensive. I had one freshman year and it was nearly $3K for the semester and only included 14 meals per week and $150 NYU declining dollars (part of the meal plan includes a debit card function that can use at participating stores around the city). I thought that was ridiculous when you consider you are paying a lot of money for mediocre food. If he's still on a meal plan, cancel it. There's no way he's using. There's so much great, cheap food in the East Village that everyone stops using the meal plan after a few months. And yes, this was beyond housing. If I remember correctly, my expenses were something like this: $700-$900 books & lab expenses (obviously, this was just a January/September expense = so let's calculate it to $178 a month) + monthly metrocard $63 + food $280 + cell $100 + insurance co-payments $100 + $100 clothes + $40 birth control + ($1000 tuition deposit per semester - I was a Dean's Scholar, so my tuition was covered except for a nominal $1000 tuition deposit for each semester, so if you calculate it monthly it's $223) = $1084, meaning that I had $116 left over, and that's about right as I remember I always had a little under $100 after my obligations were met. I definitely wasn't living it up. I never had money to go to bars. I remember going to see a film was a giant treat. I worked 30hrs a week in a lab, unpaid my four years. It was very tight. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:27 PM Flag
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I am going to go out on a limb and GUARANTEE that mommy is taking care of cell phone, books/lab expenses insurances/tuition deposits, etc. This is his fun money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:32 PM Flag
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If she is covering all of his expenses, then yes, that's a lot of money left over for fun, but if not, then no, it'll be tight, especially since monthly metrocard has almost doubled since the early 2000s! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:55 PM Flag
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This money is not for his tuition... it's for fun [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 02:34 PM Flag
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Exactly- you paid for EVERYTHING out of it. OP is paying his rent and for his meal plan. This is "just for fun" money [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:28 PM Flag
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OR: Well, like I said, she should cancel the meal plan. I cannot explain enough how NO ONE uses it - especially people who are very social. It's such a waste of money. In the morning, I would run in for a bagel and coffee. Who is sitting down to have liquid eggs and waffles before class? Meal plan comes out to $8.25 a meal. So not worth it. Cancel and use that money to supplement his allowance - that's what I'd do since OP is already counting that as an expense. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:51 PM Flag
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I live in nyc. Right now i'm our only income. After apt costs I have $1700 left for a month. That includes babysitting 1 day a week, and enough food/entertainment for 3 people. Get real. Give him $100 a week and a credit card so you know what he's spending. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:08 PM Flag
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I hope you realize that NYU kids on the meal plan can use their meal card all over the neighborhood at fancy gourmet stores, supermarkets, and takeout places. Your DS and friends can "eat out" on their meal plan. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:09 PM Flag
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np: '07 NYU Alum here. Yeah, but I wouldn't start loading up that card. My mother initially started doing that and it was such a waste. I could only shop at certain grocery stores, meaning that I couldn't shop at the cheap Gristedes in my nabe, instead I was forced to go to Space Market, where a bottle of water is nearly $3. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 01:30 PM Flag
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Listen, I graduated in 2009 from an NYC school. $1300 for food is insane. insane. It's spoiled, actually. At most, I would say $200/wk would be more than enough for food, going out, clothing etc. Yes, it is expensive to eat/live in NYC. However, he also needs to learn the value of a dollar. Giving him so much money teaches him the lesson that he doesn't need to "earn" money. Agree to give him say $800/month and have him WORK to make up the difference. I was able to work, intern, and earn all A's. He can do it too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 02:05 PM Flag
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I meant to ask, if this is for food, then yes $200/wk is good. If his food is already covered, I would say $100/wk for extras. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 02:06 PM Flag
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Wth? Must be nice. That is all I have to say. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 02:24 PM Flag
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Why is this kid going to college now? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 02:26 PM Flag
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give this kid a real education and let him EARN some of it! teaching him the value of hard earned money is the best gift you can give him. he already sounds spoiled and entitled. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 02:59 PM Flag
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lol. that's about equal to the amount of fun money I had when I was young, single and childless and pulling down a six figure income. So your ds needs to have the spending money of someone who makes 130K? Okay.....I assume he is attending the business school and trying to be a big dog? Otherwise, you need your head examined and even then..... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 04:33 PM Flag
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Can I have some of that instead? Kid doesn't need that much. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 05:47 PM Flag
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Wow. I had to work for my money when I went to college. It was big enough that my parents were paying. I found a part time job and that's where my spending money came from plus savings from working during the summer. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 06:40 PM Flag
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Once again, the trials and tribulations of being rich... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.24.12, 08:40 PM Flag
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My sister and I both went to the same college in the city of Chicago. I had to work for ALL my spending money and had summer jobs and PT jobs during the school year. (My parents covered all but $10K of my tuition, room, and board every year - I had to come up with $10K in loans and my own working money.) I didn't like the situation at the time, but it was really good for me to learn to manage semi-on-my-own, and my sister didn't get that opportunity. $1300 a month for a college student seems pretty nuts to me, even factoring in NYC expenses. Let him earn at least some of his keep - he's old enough! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.25.12, 09:12 AM Flag
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I read most of these responses. Although most don't agree you can do whatever you want. Why bother asking here. This is the place of 40K for Kindergarten and 10K for handbags. Then you give money to your kids and they change their tune. FWIW I'm poor. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.26.12, 09:05 AM Flag
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