<p>Just an FYI…I bought a color HP printer/scanner/copier at Sams Club the other day for less than $70. It’s the same model that’s going for $90-110 at office supply stores. Just throwing that out there for anyone who belongs to Sams/BJs/etc. :)</p>
<p>Reading this thread makes me INCREDIBLY greatful for the scholarship I have and the fact that I won’t be attending school in NYC! (Although Pittsburgh won’t be cheap, I fear)</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>People are making this sound much more complicated than it really is. Just keep it simple and flexible. Start out with $100-150 a month and adjust the amount as needed, i.e. at the end of each semester. With electronic funds transfers these days, it will be simple for you to help her out further, if the need arises. </p>
<p>Your D will learn quickly from her fellow NYU friends how to make the best of college life in NYC, i.e. where the cheap or free meals, transportation and event tickets are. </p>
<p>She is so lucky to have parents who can help out!</p>
<p>$100-$150 is not enough. My daughter’s allowance need is higher because she is responsible for all meals and art supplies. Catherine’s daughter is responsible for 6 meals. I’d say (conservatively) that equals 6 times $5 or $30 per week. The subway is $2 per ride or $4 round trip. If she takes it three times a week that would be $12. That alone is $42 or $128 per month. There is no room in a tight budget like that for any shopping or entertainment. I would not recommend a job the first semester. College is a big adjustment and NYC is a major adjustment. NYU is much more a “city” school than Barnard which is much closer to a traditional campus college. I remember one budget buster was a $30 dinner for a birthday celebration for one of her roommates. My daughter, also, has a $5 dollar a day Starbucks habit. I asked to try and eliminate that and was told that it is the only way the can get through her 6 hour long studio classes.</p>
<p>You just really have to sit down and decide where the money will go, in order, to plan a budget.</p>
<p>The amount needed per month really depends on what expenses the student has. If your s or d has a full mealplan and no car, expenses will be lower. If they live off campus, expenses will obviously be higher. We calculated an expected monthly allowance based on need (more at the beginning when books, etc are being purchased), and, as gsp<em>silicon</em>valley said, we transfer it to s’s account electronically on line. He then transfers some of it to an on-line savings account that is currently earning 3.75% interest, and then moves it back to his checking account as he needs it. He’s got a fair amount in his personal savings account, and earnes about $25/mo in interest. (If you want more info about this savings account, PM or email me). We adjust what we transfer electronically each month based on need. This month he had to pay Dec and Jan’s rent at once (he lives off campus) so we gave him more. Next month it’ll be less. The month-to-month variation gives us an opportunity to talk, and to discuss his costs/expenses. He’s really learned a lot about the cost of living, especially with having an out-of town girlfriend. He has to budget his personal $$ for air travel and dinners out, etc. We handle the basic living expenses-- he handles the fluff.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to have kind of a negative spin on this but as a college student I think a valid point has not been made. Granted I go to a public southern University - does your daughter drink? Because I have seen a lot of people whittle away their bank accounts on bar tabs and beer runs.<br>
On a brighter note, I’m surviving great off of 400 a month but I also have a job.</p>
<p>if she takes the subway that often she can just buy a $75 (might be 80 now, dont remember) monthly pass, less expensive. she can buy her own coffeemaker, too… college is indeed a big adjustment but you dont need to keep the same quality of life you had when you lived in your parents’ cushy home. especially in new york where there are so many people who make do with far less. this girl is both lucky and unlucky to have parents who are giving her an allowance.</p>
<p>oh and especially at nyu i would expect that mommy’s money will be spent on alcohol, sushi, and cocaine.</p>
<p>i’m mostly kidding… but there are lots of those students.</p>
<p>Let’s face it…NYC is a playground that freshmen “right off the farm” can easily get caught up in. Someone could easily spend $100-150 a week, instead of the suggested $100-$150 a month!</p>
<p>catherine, every freshman is different and will develop different needs. As long as you can transfer funds electronically to your D, don’t get caught up in the hype of trying to determine exactly how much spending money she will need. Invest in a bank debit card or checking account for your D that allows you to easily transfer funds into as needed.</p>
<p>You will never be able to determine exactly what your D’s needs are until she gets some NYU/NYC experience, which will take least one semester.</p>