College Costs - Part Two

Now, as I promised, the second type of cost you need to consider when going to college. Indirect costs are expenses the school probably won't charge you for, but you'll still have to pay every year of college. Books and school supplies are probably the ones that come immediately to mind. But here are some others you need to consider.
-- transportation expenses (daily gas consumption, car insurance, car repairs, etc)
-- laundry
-- clothing
-- cell phone bills
-- personal expenses (hygiene items, haircuts, etc.)
-- snacks
-- eating meals outside of the meal plan
-- gifts
-- entertainment
-- traveling back and forth between home if you live far away

To determine the actual cost of attending college (sometimes refered to as the Cost of Attendance), you need to add the direct costs (see previous post) and the indirect costs. You may discover that the actual cost is a lot higher than you anticipated. But don't worry. If you include these costs into your planning, you won't be surprised or tempted to make poor financial decisions to cover your expenses.