Making Decisions: How Much Money Should I Bring?

   This is a fairly hot topic with CPs for one big reason: everyone's needs are different. Some people are good at saving money, and have more than they need before they go down, while other people don't have this ability. The fact of the matter is though, you need to have SOME money with you for your first few weeks. You could go up to 3 weeks before you get a paycheck. But why? There are a whole host of reasons, from delayed background checks, to a lost social security card (not the end of the world, it just means you start late!) So how much should you bring? I've listed a bunch of normal things to buy for a new apartment. Pick the one's you're going to need, add them up, and you'll have a rough estimate of how much money to bring!

Breakdown:

• Groceries - $200 (remember, you're stocking a brand new pantry. This is for 3 weeks)
• Comforter - $30 (TARGET!)
• Sheets - $20
• Toilet Paper/Paper Towels - $20
• Cleaning Supplies - $10 (Coordinate with your roommates so you're not all buying the same things!)
• Toiletries - $40 (Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. You know how much you spend on your own supplies)
• Feminine Products - $15 (If you have it when you first get there, I'm sorry. That sucks.)
• Hangers - $3/pack 18 (Target. Also, know they are going to be very hard to find on check in day)
• Combination Lock - $8 (for your valubles)
• Work Shoes - $40 (Don't buy until you get there! The roles that get free shoes is ever changing! If you buy them from Cast Connections, they can take it out of your pay check.)
• Command Strips - $4/4 pack (Any decorations you have for your apartment need to be hung with command strips)
• Mattress Pad - $50 (Yes, you need it. Yes, buy the good one.)
• Towels - $10/each
• Wash Cloths - $5/3 pack
• Shower Curtian - $20 (They provide the liner)
• Beach Towel - $15
• Laundry Basket - $10
• Pillows - $10
• Trash Bags - $8
• Bathroom Trashcan - $10
• Coffee Pot - $30

Total - $558

   Obviously, you won't need all of these things, and there will be other things that you do need that I haven't listed. $500 is a solid amount to bring with you. If you have money left over, all the better. But it's better to have to much money than not enough!