to think that £500 a month is enough for a child at uni

[FunnysInLaJardin]

we will pay his accommodation and his tuition fees will be paid, so this will just be for food and travel etc

That's only about 3 pints a day.

You wouldn't have to as your DC would receive a full loan if you are on a low income.

I'm not on a low income.

They will probably need to live at home or take a gap year then because the minimum loan won't even cover rent now in most places.

It’s so very sad that some parents are happy for their child to live on £20 a week food budget. If you can’t afford it that is fine, but there’s no reason to sound so chirpy about it.

I hope that poor young lady doesn’t develop health conditions in the future due to lack of nutrition / varied diet. It’s very tough on the menstrual cycle and general mood and concentration levels when you’re not getting what the body needs.

I don’t think she would be able to afford meat on that. It’s one thing to be voluntarily vegan, it’s entirely another to be forced into it due to poverty.

Some sound positivity gleeful about this.

How old are your DCs? Have you any idea how much a young adult eats?

Students also have the issue of not being able to bulk buy or do loads of batch cooking. They have very limited storage space - normally a cupboard in the kitchen for all cooking utensils, crockery a dry ingredients, and a shelf in the fridge and a drawer in the freezer if they are lucky. It makes it even harder to eat on a budget.

Yes, some act as if they are doing their DC a favour. Probably just trying to make themselves feel better but if not they are very deluded.

They shouldn’t be surprised if they were to fall on hard times in their elderly years, if their children insist a diet of porridge and potatoes is fine. That is basically just sugar and devoid of macro or micro nutrients. The really healthy stuff like nuts and seeds and fruit and veg are unfortunately very expensive now.

The meaness of some people is truly astounding, and regarding their own children! How do they feel about underprivileged strangers then? It’s scary.

Way above necessary if fees and accommodation paid!

Big difference between £20 and 125 as in OP.

When you say "way above" how much above do you think?

The money is not just for food.

It depends on expenses. If they are in London it is more expensive than other places, i can do £15 a day just on travel.

it is quite bizarre that parents who obviously can afford more seem to enjoy keeping their child so short of money. Why would you do that

I agree. I dont have £500 a month for food and entertainment. ALL students ( with the exception of perhaps medicone) can find time for part time work and leisure activities. Presuming they are not running a car if in halls. Bus pass is far cheaper to get around. Working more than 5 days a week at uni leaves evenings and weekends , I think you are being very generous st £500 a month. My daughter is off to Uni in Sept, and once her accom is paid, and I've done a store cupboard shop the rest is up to her. Theres no spare at home to keep her !

A streak of ill disguised sadism I would imagine.
My mother was the same.

OP's dc won't get a loan though.

My daughter is off to Uni in Sept, and once her accom is paid, and I've done a store cupboard shop the rest is up to her. Theres no spare at home to keep her !

Are you paying her rent?

Is she getting a loan?

What would you do then?

That's more than some families have to spend on food for a month
Is is a sort of humble boast? This wad of money is all we can afford to give our son, is it enough (accompanied by much wringing of hands)

It's not just for food. Why do people keep saying that? It is for everything other than rent.

I wonder if you could point out who you think is being sadistic. Maybe re-read the thread 😅.

One poster pointed out that her DD happily only spent £20 on food. No implication at all that she had to. Cue others saying that she would be malnourished, countered by others (myself included) saying that it is perfectly possible to eat healthily for £20 a week.

Who has said they are restricting their kids to a £20 per week food budget? Nobody.

We live in an affluent area and I have been surprised by the number of parents who seem to take positive pride in not supporting their DC at Uni ,while driving expensive cars and going on overseas holidays
Each to their own I suppose
I was skint at Uni and don’t want that for my DC

The dramatics on this thread 😅

When most of my generation were students they were scraping the mould off cheese and living off beans, and yet, they've not all got scurvy and rickets.

I didn't see a menu that would be healthy long term. Only one that seemed to involve having the same meal every day and also not very substantial. I've yet to see a five pound fruit and veg box that will last for a week either.