My oldest will be heading off to Towson University on August 27th. Other than dealing with the emotional aspect of her leaving home, does any other parent have some helpful suggestions on what we should get in advance to set her up? TIA

My oldest will be heading off to Towson University on August 27th. Other than dealing with the emotional aspect of her leaving home, does any other parent have some helpful suggestions on what we should get in advance to set her up? TIA

Congrats to you and your girl....check your PM'er in a couple of minutes

Congrats to you and your girl....check your PM'er in a couple of minutes

Thanks I need all the help I can get.

does any other parent have some helpful suggestions on what we should get in advance to set her up? TIA

Home equity loan.

Home equity loan.

Can I just sell a kidney instead? Did you give your daughter a credit card? I am considering it but seeing if I can limit what she can spend. I got AAA for her car. What about documents like birth certificates and such. Should she take the originals? Should I get her a lock box?

She has insurance cards for her medical, prescriptions & dental. She had her meningitis shot and tetanus and all her shots verified. We went for parent orientation three weeks ago. The campus is nice I would have just preferred if we got an actual tour and not seven hours of lecturing.

Do the laundry machines take debit cards ( I know that sounds silly) or do I have to send her with a zillion quarters? We are planning on stocking up on necessities this weekend and just ordered her bedding etc.

Most importantly, how long do I have to wait after she moves out to redecorate her room.:yahoo:

I got AAA for her car.

:yay::yay:

Can I just sell a kidney instead? Did you give your daughter a credit card? I am considering it but seeing if I can limit what she can spend. I got AAA for her car. What about documents like birth certificates and such. Should she take the originals? Should I get her a lock box?

She has insurance cards for her medical, prescriptions & dental. She had her meningitis shot and tetanus and all her shots verified. We went for parent orientation three weeks ago. The campus is nice I would have just preferred if we got an actual tour and not seven hours of lecturing.

Do the laundry machines take debit cards ( I know that sounds silly) or do I have to send her with a zillion quarters? We are planning on stocking up on necessities this weekend and just ordered her bedding etc.

Most importantly, how long do I have to wait after she moves out to redecorate her room.:yahoo:
Most colleges have "debit cards" through their student account. Debit card can be used for about anything on campus. Food, laundry, books etc. You cam put money into her student account and she can then use the.money on campus or in her dorm.

And normally IF the laundry takes cards it will only.accept the colleges card.

Most colleges have "debit cards" through their student account. Debit card can be used for about anything on campus. Food, laundry, books etc. You cam put money into her student account and she can then use the.money on campus or in her dorm.

And normally IF the laundry takes cards it will only.accept the colleges card.

Yes, you are correct. I asked her when she got home from work and when we went to the school a few weeks back she got her student she said it is also called a "One" card. We can load money on that card online and she can use it for laundry, school store, snacks or sodas. So should I give her a credit card or not?

Yes, you are correct. I asked her when she got home from work and when we went to the school a few weeks back she got her student she said it is also called a "One" card. We can load money on that card online and she can use it for laundry, school store, snacks or sodas. So should I give her a credit card or not?

That would be your call.

Just know that the money in her student account can't be used off campus.

Have you considered a checking account with a debit card?

That would be your call.

Just know that the money in her student account can't be used off campus.

Have you considered a checking account with a debit card?

She has had her own checking & savings accounts with a debit card for two years now. I have asked her for deposit slips so that I can add money to her account every other week or so. She & I use different banks so I don't know if I would be able to transfer funds but I will add that to the list of things to check into.

She has had her own checking & savings accounts with a debit card for two years now. I have asked her for deposit slips so that I can add money to her account every other week or so. She & I use different banks so I don't know if I would be able to transfer funds but I will add that to the list of things to check into.

If you have BOA you can do it online.

Debit card you can't go overlimit, you can overdraw your account but they won't hit you with a 30% interest rate for overdrawing.

If you have BOA you can do it online.

Debit card you can't go overlimit, you can oversaw your account but they won't hit you with a 30% interest rate for overtaking.

She is with PNC and I am BB&T so I will have to check into what the rules are. I have overdraft protection on my account but I will have to check and see if she does on hers.

I am just worried that should the car break down or an unexpected expense come up that she will be able to take care of it then and there, versus me running around like a chicken in panic mode trying to get money in her account when we are two plus hours away from each other.

She is with PNC and I am BB&T so I will have to check into what the rules are. I have overdraft protection on my account but I will have to check and see if she does on hers.

I am just worried that should the car break down or an unexpected expense come up that she will be able to take care of it then and there, versus me running around like a chicken in panic mode trying to get money in her account when we are two plus hours away from each other.

You worry too much. She's only going to be 2 hours away.

She is with PNC and I am BB&T so I will have to check into what the rules are. I have overdraft protection on my account but I will have to check and see if she does on hers.

I am just worried that should the car break down or an unexpected expense come up that she will be able to take care of it then and there, versus me running around like a chicken in panic mode trying to get money in her account when we are two plus hours away from each other.

Eh, she will get a BF named Ace who is the bass player in a grunge band and he will take care of her. If they need cash he can sell some of the jewelry from facial piercings to get by.

You worry too much. She's only going to be 2 hours away.

You are so right on that one. It is hard letting go. She is spreading her wings to fly away and I still remember her as a baby. I know I need to take the emotion out of it all. I just want to have all the bases covered. Do you think they will let me live there too? :lol:

You are so right on that one. It is hard letting go. She is spreading her wings to fly away and I still remember her as a baby. I know I need to take the emotion out of it all. I just want to have all the bases covered. Do you think they will let me live there too? :lol:

:huggy: See Pete's reply - it'll make you laugh & you can us that right now!

Congratulations on your new space - what type of decor are you thinking of? :biggrin:

8 more years for one and 15 for the other one. (No, I'm not counting down or anything.)

:huggy: See Pete's reply - it'll make you laugh & you can us that right now!

Congratulations on your new space - what type of decor are you thinking of? :biggrin:

Yeah I read that and did laugh. That would be just my luck that she would bring home some freaky looking dude or gal at Thanksgiving. I remember some old movie with Pauly Shore in it when he posted that.

On the flip side I will probably go and lay in her bed and just miss her for a bit, then maybe take a nap and dream of what a nice reading room it will be. Of course in the end I will leave it intact and wait for her to come home and visit.

Thanks it means a lot.

Can I just sell a kidney instead? Did you give your daughter a credit card? I am considering it but seeing if I can limit what she can spend. I got AAA for her car. What about documents like birth certificates and such. Should she take the originals? Should I get her a lock box?

She has insurance cards for her medical, prescriptions & dental. She had her meningitis shot and tetanus and all her shots verified. We went for parent orientation three weeks ago. The campus is nice I would have just preferred if we got an actual tour and not seven hours of lecturing.

Do the laundry machines take debit cards ( I know that sounds silly) or do I have to send her with a zillion quarters? We are planning on stocking up on necessities this weekend and just ordered her bedding etc.

Most importantly, how long do I have to wait after she moves out to redecorate her room.:yahoo:

Holy cow I didn't have half of the stuff at college. I don't think she'll really need the originals for anything. I never used my birth cert or insurance card the whole time I was there.

I took clothing, computer, toiletres, organizational/storage stuff, bedding, microwave, fridge, mirror, paper/office supplies, fan, tv and I think that is about it. The clothing and computer were probably the most important to me at the time.

She is with PNC and I am BB&T so I will have to check into what the rules are. I have overdraft protection on my account but I will have to check and see if she does on hers.

I am just worried that should the car break down or an unexpected expense come up that she will be able to take care of it then and there, versus me running around like a chicken in panic mode trying to get money in her account when we are two plus hours away from each other.

You would probably be able to phone in your card info in such an emergancy situation. You can pay pal her money if you want to do weekly/biweekly deposits.

Man my fam helped pay for the tuition and room and board but after that it was all on me. I ended up getting a credit card my freshman year because i needed new tires and didn't have enough money. I was responsible enough for it to work out fine. Do you think your child can handle their own?

My oldest will be heading off to Towson University on August 27th. Other than dealing with the emotional aspect of her leaving home, does any other parent have some helpful suggestions on what we should get in advance to set her up? TIA

Mine got a part time job while in college, I think the second year.

Mine got a part time job while in college, I think the second year.

My daughter is enrolled in the work study program through Towson. She will work on campus part time and will receive a check although she is limited as to how much she can make per year. I have instructed her that she needs to look for additional part time work in the area. She has been working at the CSM bookstore for the last year and has been saving as much as she can. She will be leaving that job in two weeks though to leave for school.

When she graduated CSM in May my mother wanted to give her 3000.00 to help her out but I told her to instead divide it into payments for her throughout the next year. So she gave her 300.00 when she graduated, then 300.00 more for her birthday last month. She will spread out the rest every couple of months to help cover additional costs as well. I was afraid if she got all that money at once she would have blown it over this summer and she would not have been focused on working and saving as much of her own money as she could.

She has her own car insurance policy and pays for that herself as well as her essentials, clothing, gas etc. I pay her cellphone bill as she is on my plan but she is pretty good about not abusing the minutes.

My daughter is enrolled in the work study program through Towson. She will work on campus part time and will receive a check although she is limited as to how much she can make per year. I have instructed her that she needs to look for additional part time work in the area. She has been working at the CSM bookstore for the last year and has been saving as much as she can. She will be leaving that job in two weeks though to leave for school.

When she graduated CSM in May my mother wanted to give her 3000.00 to help her out but I told her to instead divide it into payments for her throughout the next year. So she gave her 300.00 when she graduated, then 300.00 more for her birthday last month. She will spread out the rest every couple of months to help cover additional costs as well. I was afraid if she got all that money at once she would have blown it over this summer and she would not have been focused on working and saving as much of her own money as she could.

She has her own car insurance policy and pays for that herself as well as her essentials, clothing, gas etc. I pay her cellphone bill as she is on my plan but she is pretty good about not abusing the minutes.

She sounds very responsible, what about the second year she will want to move off campus and most likely share and apartment? Just a thought for the second year. I had to co-sign to get the apt for mine, which means, deposit, cable tv, electric, internet etc. Might need to save up slowy for that in the future.

She sounds very responsible, what about the second year she will want to move off campus and most likely share and apartment? Just a thought for the second year. I had to co-sign to get the apt for mine, which means, deposit, cable tv, electric, internet etc. Might need to save up slowy for that in the future.

She only has two years to go and is hoping she will be assigned to the Towson Run Apartments, which is where most upper class & transer students get placed. We hope to find out where she will placed in the next week. If she is in a dorm that means less to take with us. If she get's into the apartments she will share a two bedroom apartment with three other students. It would have a bathroom in each bedroom, I also think a half bath as well off the living room, dining/ kitchen area. This would mean bringing pots, pans, dishes etc. She would be able to reduce or even eliminate her meal plan though.

Move and buy a smaller house...

the campus card will be fine. consider switching to the same bank so you can transfer money in a second online in case of emergency. Credit cards are just a bad idea. they don't build up your credit like a lot of people think and even the most responsible person can get into trouble. Nearly every emergency can be handled by someone at school or a quick transfer of money online.
The only time I really needed money off campus was to buy gas or booze :killingme

I recommend the meal plan for the first year, no matter what the housing situation. it will give her time to adjust and figure out life with a little safety night. too many kids living on ramen after spending all their money. (even if it just an abbreviated one)

I am sure you know what kinds of things to get her..but a pop up hamper or laundry bag works best, fabric softener sheets ( not for laundry, for putting int he vents to get rid of the dorm stink) a shower tote ( even if an apartment, nothing worse than your roomate using all of your shampoo when you need to wash your hair) a good laptop, (netflix account will get you points with your roomate) lots of family pictures, shell need to contact her roomate/s about who has a tv, full length mirror, dvd player, fridge, etc. and if it's an apartment they may be tempted to "share" the costs of food, tp, cleaning supplies etc..and maybe its a lesson everyone needs to learn..but umm..dont. It causes nothing but fights..lol. a good talk about never drinking without a buddy and never letting any of the girls go off with someone alone, and not getting shwasted..and She will do just fine :)


I didn't go to towson, but I visited a few times. Fun place, alcohol falls like rain, a ton of pot..loads of horny boys...but..all in all a rather fun and safe place to be if you are smart and have good friends.

and she's not far away. so don't worry :huggy:

the campus card will be fine. consider switching to the same bank so you can transfer money in a second online in case of emergency. Credit cards are just a bad idea. they don't build up your credit like a lot of people think and even the most responsible person can get into trouble. Nearly every emergency can be handled by someone at school or a quick transfer of money online.
The only time I really needed money off campus was to buy gas or booze :killingme

I recommend the meal plan for the first year, no matter what the housing situation. it will give her time to adjust and figure out life with a little safety night. too many kids living on ramen after spending all their money. (even if it just an abbreviated one)

I am sure you know what kinds of things to get her..but a pop up hamper or laundry bag works best, fabric softener sheets ( not for laundry, for putting int he vents to get rid of the dorm stink) a shower tote ( even if an apartment, nothing worse than your roomate using all of your shampoo when you need to wash your hair) a good laptop, (netflix account will get you points with your roomate) lots of family pictures, shell need to contact her roomate/s about who has a tv, full length mirror, dvd player, fridge, etc. and if it's an apartment they may be tempted to "share" the costs of food, tp, cleaning supplies etc..and maybe its a lesson everyone needs to learn..but umm..dont. It causes nothing but fights..lol. a good talk about never drinking without a buddy and never letting any of the girls go off with someone alone, and not getting shwasted..and She will do just fine :)


I didn't go to towson, but I visited a few times. Fun place, alcohol falls like rain, a ton of pot..loads of horny boys...but..all in all a rather fun and safe place to be if you are smart and have good friends.

and she's not far away. so don't worry :huggy:

Thanks for your insight. No way I am switching to PNC but maybe we can open a separate account for her at my bank.:lol:

I have received so many wonderful pm's and posts with very helpful information. I really appreciate all of the input.

When we went for orientation they talked allot about drinking and setting limits. They said I should tell her if she is going to drink to just have two but no more than three drinks. Really? Do they think that me saying that is going to stop her?

She turned twenty-one last month and had one drink on her birthday and she said it was nasty ( A Mohito). She is not a drinker, druggy, smoker and she is involved in church, its youth group and is still a virgin. I think I got the wrong kid at the hospital. I just hope that she does not go wild when she gets there. I just want her to be focused on her goal and do well.

We have received many recommendations on what to take and I have made an extensive list which we are presently working on. As of right now she signed up for a 15 meal a week plan. That way she only has to cover breakfast herself. I explained to her when she said that if she got into an apartment that should she consider dropping the meal plan or reducing it that she should take the number of meals per week she signed up for and then multiply that by weeks she will be there and then divide that by the cost of the meal plan to get an average per meal cost. I think she will find she will be better off sticking with the plan she already picked. Then she won’t have to worry about arguing over who is going to do the dishes, grocery shopping, roomates eating her food etc.

Again, thanks for the response.

We have received many recommendations on what to take and I have made an extensive list which we are presently working on. As of right now she signed up for a 15 meal a week plan. That way she only has to cover breakfast herself. I explained to her when she said that if she got into an apartment that should she consider dropping the meal plan or reducing it that she should take the number of meals per week she signed up for and then multiply that by weeks she will be there and then divide that by the cost of the meal plan to get an average per meal cost. I think she will find she will be better off sticking with the plan she already picked. Then she won’t have to worry about arguing over who is going to do the dishes, grocery shopping, roomates eating her food etc.

Again, thanks for the response.

Don't be surprised if she doesn't use that meal plan. Our daughter had the same size plan at her college and was averaging only 7 meals a week at "the caf". The students tended to eat more at the student center, or the on campus sub and coffee shop. See if the meal plan has the ability to exchange to these places (example - 1.5 meals at the dining hall can be exchanged for a meal at the sub shop...or a 1-to-1 exchange at the coffee shop).
Also the one thing that I got advice on and sent up with Stretch is a "medicine drawer." We got one of those little plastic bins with a drawer in it and filled it with things like band-aids, cotton balls, peroxide, neosporin, tylenol, motrin, OTC cold meds, a thermometer, etc. It REALLY came in handy for her. Then when we were up there, we would go to the Wally Mart and re-stock for her. Since Stretch's school is in a colder climate-with VERY changeable weather, she really appreciated knowing that she had the "right" medicines on hand when her head got stuffy, etc. It kept her from experimenting at CVS or worse yet...with her friends.

Thanks for your insight. No way I am switching to PNC but maybe we can open a separate account for her at my bank.:lol:

I have received so many wonderful pm's and posts with very helpful information. I really appreciate all of the input.

When we went for orientation they talked allot about drinking and setting limits. They said I should tell her if she is going to drink to just have two but no more than three drinks. Really? Do they think that me saying that is going to stop her?

She turned twenty-one last month and had one drink on her birthday and she said it was nasty ( A Mohito). She is not a drinker, druggy, smoker and she is involved in church, its youth group and is still a virgin. I think I got the wrong kid at the hospital. I just hope that she does not go wild when she gets there. I just want her to be focused on her goal and do well.

We have received many recommendations on what to take and I have made an extensive list which we are presently working on. As of right now she signed up for a 15 meal a week plan. That way she only has to cover breakfast herself. I explained to her when she said that if she got into an apartment that should she consider dropping the meal plan or reducing it that she should take the number of meals per week she signed up for and then multiply that by weeks she will be there and then divide that by the cost of the meal plan to get an average per meal cost. I think she will find she will be better off sticking with the plan she already picked. Then she won’t have to worry about arguing over who is going to do the dishes, grocery shopping, roomates eating her food etc.

Again, thanks for the response.

My neice goes to Towson and is involved in two different Christian groups on campus. She says they are a lot of fun, plenty of activities and very nice group of people. Hope your daughter gets involved with them. She is a lot like your daughter in her choice of lifestyle.

Can leave the birth certificates and other official documentation at home. It won't be needed and if it is... it's only two hours away.

Take the health insurance card. Find a doctor up there that your insurance covers. Nothing worse than having to drive several hours each way to see a doctor when you're sick. Can try and schedule those 6 month dental checkups during winter and summer breaks.

Don't get her a credit card. Honestly what I would probably do is set up a special checking account that you two can share. Find out what ATMs are available on campus and have a local branch near you. Set up a student checking account, they are usually free and fairly easy to open. This way if she needs emergency cash you can just run to your branch or ATM and deposit it and she can have it instantly. I say set up a special account because I'm having nightmares now after finding out that my mother-in-law has been on my husband's and my joint primary checking account (that she opened for him back in college). :cds:

Medicine box sounds like an excellent idea!

Don't get laundry baskets, they are a PITA to haul around long distances (and you know the laundromat is going to be as far away as possible, that's just how those things work!). Get either a pop up hamper or one of those giant mesh laundry bags. Make sure it has a good carry strap! She may elect to come home and do laundry... I sure did after I stupidly left my laundry running while I went out to have a smoke and came back to some random chick pawing through my undies :twitch:

Don't take more than you absolutely need. If she's living in dorms she's going to have to move in and out pretty frequently. At least every summer. Only two hours away, better to under-pack and then come home to grab things you essentially need rather than trying to pack up a bunch of crap you haven't touched all year come summer.

Good luck to her :)

My daughter also went to Towson and graduated a few years ago. We opened, what was then called, a custodial account with SECU (State Employees Credit Union). We both have accounts here. They have an ATM right on campus. If she needed money, she took her debit card and made a withdrawal. If she needed MORE money, all she had to do was call me and with a few computer clicks, I transferred funds from my account to her account. She will need little money on campus as most things can be done with the ONE card. You may want to check to see if either of your banks have ATM's on campus. One thing that was a big help with my daughter was under the bed rolling storage. We used two or three of these and I purchased them at Lowes. Space for clothes and 'stuff' is very limited so any organizers you can get will be helpful. Also maybe recommend that she does not take everything she owns on the first trip. She will find out how much room she has to work with and bring more stuff as she needs it when she visits. Example, right now she does not need to take her winter attire, she can start switching out as weather gets cooler. Does she have one or 2 roommates? Oh, by the way....I still haven't re-decorated her room :-)