Main expenditures in college?

I'm trying to get a rough estimate of how much I'll be spending in college, beyond tuition and housing. In your experience, what have your main expenditures been? Textbooks? Food? Entertainment or social activities?

Sure, it's a smart move to consider all possible costs to better plan your college budget. Here are the main areas of expenditures you should consider:

1. Textbooks and class materials: The cost for these can vary significantly depending on your major and the classes you're taking. Some textbooks can be quite expensive, upwards of even $200! While libraries might have some textbooks, this isn't always a surefire option. However, there are creative ways to mitigate this cost, such as buying used books, renting, going digital, or utilizing interlibrary loan systems.

2. Food: This will be a considerable part of your expenditures. If you're not on a meal plan, you'll need to budget for groceries and eating out. Even if you have a meal plan, you might still want to catch a coffee, a snack, or a meal outside of your plan occasionally.

3. Entertainment/Social activities: You'll want to enjoy your college years, so set some budget aside for movies, concerts, games, club activities, and other social events.

4. Transportation: Whether it's a bus, bike, or car, you'll likely need some form of transportation. Even if you're mostly walking, there may be times you'll want to take a rideshare, bus, or subway. Plus, consider the costs of trips back home for holidays or breaks if you're attending college out of state.

5. Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: These include toiletries, clothes, laundry, and other personal necessities. These small expenditures can add up, so don't ignore them in your calculations.

6. Emergency Fund: It's helpful to have some money set aside for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies, laptop/phone repairs or replacements, or any other unforeseen situations.

Remember that everyone's spending habits and needs are different, so your mileage may vary. A good practice is to track your expenses for a few months to get an idea of where your money is going and establish a suitable budget.