 TITLE: Create a College Budget Plan in 4 Easy Steps CONTENT: List Out Your Expenses\n----------------------\nOnce you have a plan for covering tuition, you can begin listing out the additional expenses you'll have during the school year. For each line item, make your best guess for how much you'll spend, both for the semester or quarter and month by month. For now, don't try to economize with your estimates: Give an honest assessment of how much you'd like to have to cover each category. You can sharpen your pencil and cut a few costs later in the process.\nHere are some expense categories to consider:\n*   **Housing**: Dorm fees or rent. Look at how much it costs to live in student dorms as well as the going rate for apartments near campus. Living off-campus and riding a bike or driving to school may be the cheaper option.\n*   **Food**: Include the cost of your meal plan, if you have one, plus any meals you plan to prepare yourself (even if it's instant ramen or cereal). Don't forget snacks, takeout and any restaurant eating you plan to do.\n*   **Textbooks and school supplies**: If you need one, budget for a computer or tablet for your first term.\n*   **Utilities and internet**: These may be included in your campus housing or off-campus rental cost: Check to make sure.\n*   **Transportation**: You may be eligible for student discounts on public transportation. If you're bringing a car to college, factor in car payments, insurance, registration, gas, repairs and maintenance.\n*   **Personal items**: You can't go four years without buying shampoo or deodorant: Don't try it. You'll also need haircuts, toothpaste and—when you move in—bedding, trash bags, laundry detergent … the list goes on.\n*   **Entertainment**: Many campuses host free events throughout the year. Even so, factor in any concerts you might want to attend, plus movies, sports you like to participate in, and so on.\n*   **Travel**: This includes travel to and from school, as well as any extracurricular trips you hope to take during spring break or holidays.\n*   **Clothing**: Remember that if you're moving to a new climate, you'll need at least a few new items so you won't freeze or swelter.\nAlso, think about how you will handle unforeseen expenses. Do you have an emergency fund you can add to regularly? Can your parents back you up financially if you have unbudgeted expenses? Would a credit card for emergencies only be helpful? END