JTC
PFM Villager...
My eldest goes to uni later this year. I just signed as guarantor on his halls, not small change either. This got me to thinking, how did others structure the ways in which they supported their kids through uni or college?
My current plan was to simply cover all his costs, but then I wondered if that's teaching him the right lessons and/or instilling the benefits of frugality and budgeting. We're lucky we can do this but I don't want him to take us for granted. But - equally - I don't want to be mean about it. Presumably he qualifies for some sort of student loan, and up here his fees are covered by the government, so it's basically rent and living costs (and beer, don't forget about the beer....). He's minded to maybe get a lifeguarding job at a local pool up there, but I'm worried that that would be a distraction from studies, at least in his first year.
Beyond the money side, what other assistance would be useful? I'm always available for him to talk to, and we're not so far away that he can't come home on weekends etc. Just want to do the right thing, keep him safe, focused and supported without spoiling him too much....
My current plan was to simply cover all his costs, but then I wondered if that's teaching him the right lessons and/or instilling the benefits of frugality and budgeting. We're lucky we can do this but I don't want him to take us for granted. But - equally - I don't want to be mean about it. Presumably he qualifies for some sort of student loan, and up here his fees are covered by the government, so it's basically rent and living costs (and beer, don't forget about the beer....). He's minded to maybe get a lifeguarding job at a local pool up there, but I'm worried that that would be a distraction from studies, at least in his first year.
Beyond the money side, what other assistance would be useful? I'm always available for him to talk to, and we're not so far away that he can't come home on weekends etc. Just want to do the right thing, keep him safe, focused and supported without spoiling him too much....