Kid asking for money...

**peanut** · 03-15-2009, 04:46 PM

Well my university student ran out of money before the end of the semester. Our solution? We sent her the Dave Ramsey CD set. Told her to get together with her fiance and both of them listen to it. She's promised...and sent her father and I a list of things she needs that totals $1000CAD. We're chuckling. We may send her some, as this is her first year and she's ignorant about money. But we don't feel beholden to cover it all by any means. Geesh! Do they all have to go through this?!

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-15-2009, 04:56 PM

Wow, my DS is in his 2nd year in college and he never even asked me for stuff in his first year because I told him we couldn't afford it that he had to work during the summer to support himself through the school year. I taught him pretty early about money and taking care of himself financially. Hopefully your DD will work in the summer to pay for the things she needs during the school year.

I do agree though, that the first year in college does take some time to get used to, better to start the learning process now rather than later, good idea to send her the DR set.

**Gardengal18** · 03-15-2009, 05:20 PM

Are her and her fiance working? If not why?? Really should be no reason as plenty of college kids have worked their way through college in the past and they didn't die from it.

If it were me I'd send her maybe 1/3 of it and tell her that the other 1/3 she should come up with and the other 1/3 her fiance should come up with.

**khjmom** · 03-15-2009, 05:29 PM

Oh thank goodness we aren't the only ones! Our daughter came home, after we told her to stay at school and work this week (they are on spring break) showed up at our house two days after she got in town, and by today had not one dime to get back to school on. We had a nice chat..and basically told her the ATM was closed. She wasn't raised this way...we were always watching our money and made no secrets of that... so we filled up her car and gave her just a little spending money....enough for a snack and a drink...and sent her on her way. She was wanting us to hand her cash to do the rest of the week...but guess what....we didn't do it. She wants to be an adult, tells us she is an adult....well time to act like one and realize that adults have to work, have to save, and have to think ahead for the little things that always come up. Adults support themselves. Thank you for sharing your experience....it made me feel alot better than mine.

**LastDragonfly** · 03-15-2009, 06:03 PM

Imagine that! I'm not the only one.... I feel better.

**tamiky** · 03-15-2009, 08:31 PM

You all are so smart. You are really teaching your children valuable life lessons.

**fernykins** · 03-16-2009, 01:02 AM

Well my youngest didn't ask but his 1st year away I gave him 3000. He needed it. The next year before he left for the Naval Acadamy he brought m a car. He paid for mt plane ticket to Maryland last year to watch him graduate. And took care of a place for me t stay for the work........ All my kids knew I gave up alot for them. So now they do for me......Their choice....
Fern

**phoeny_moonstar** · 03-16-2009, 03:21 AM

As a kid, and even until I moved out of my parents house, I was given X amount of money to last me for so long. If I blew it on whatever I wasn't not given any more money until that set date. Since i've moved out of my parents house I've asked for and received 550$. The catch, I have to pay that back. Atleast it's no interest.

**NewLeaf** · 03-16-2009, 08:36 AM

My first semester of college my father passed away. I knew my mom had it hard, so I just didn't ask for money. I had a scholarship for room, board and tuition. I really didn't need anything else. I worked for a work/study program. I worked and got myself through 4 yrs. of college. It was a good learning experience. I hope my sons can do the same.

**fixer** · 03-16-2009, 08:44 AM

You have found a "teachable moment". Hopefully, they will take this opportunity to learn a lesson that will serve them the rest of their life.

**frugalbabe** · 03-17-2009, 10:18 AM

You are a great mom! I wish my parents had done something similar when I was that age. Becoming an adult takes a lot of trial and error. I was raised by responsible, hardworking, frugal parents but it took a while before I found my own inner frugalista! She'll get there, she just may need some gentle "nudging" good luck mama!