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Matthew de Jesus
Miss Stinnett
English 12 Period 1
5 September 2016
Road to Devils
Introduction
The sun devils, students of renowned college Arizona State University. While growing up
Ive only heard good things about ASU, specifically the Sun Devils Marching Band and its music
programs. My parents and I have discussed that they will help a great deal in paying for college
and that I will be living at home to reduce those prices. But despite that I am writing this essay
about on campus and off campus living options and those prices.
Housing Information
The first and most obvious housing option is to live on campus in a dorm and is known
for being quite pricy. The second is to rent an apartment off campus nearby ASU. Prices that may
also apply to both of these options are parking as well; in that case investing in a bike would be
smart.
On Campus Housing
Looking at dorms my mom told me it would be best to live in a residence hall with a
community bathroom. The cost of living here would be $5,770. The Sparkys Favorite is
$4,730 over a whole year. This meal plan includes fourteen meals per week plus 375 M&G

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dollars. In total cost for on campus it would be close to $10,000.
https://housing.asu.edu/sites/default/files/housing_rates_tempe-ftf.pdf
http://sundevildining.asu.edu/tempe/mealplans/resident

Apartment Housing
The apartment I have looked at is a two bedroom and two bath living space of one
thousand twenty-six square feet for $895. Splitting the apartment costs with a roommate will
bring the share down to $448 and about $3,000 for everything else total regarding myself. The
amenities include a swimming pool, fitness facility, clubhouse, central air, gated access, and
storage. The apartment itself is only about a mile away from the Tempe campus relieving the cost
of parking at the campus. Due to the close location I would be able to ride a bike easily to the
campus and if I was not living at home would select this apartment.
http://livingasu.com/view/property/23

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Data
Comparing the costs of both campus and apartment it is clear that on campus is cheaper.
However, the quality and privacy of an apartment could compensate for its higher price.

Cost Comparison for a Year

On Campus
Apartment

Cost
Utilities
Cable/Interne

On Campus
$5,770

Apartment
$10,080
$1,740
$540

t
Food
Total

$4,730
$10,500

$3,000
$16,080

Housing Reflection
After all the research on campus versus apartment costs I will very likely be doing
neither. I will be attending college from home. The overall costs for living at home will be
nothing compared to the other options. In context of the assignment, however, I would choose on
campus to get the pros of lower cost and close distance to my classes. In final, the decision to
stay at home was initially my parents due to cost and they say it is easier to drive the distance
than to spend all the money for another living facility.

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Financial Plan
The overall cost for my life during college would be about $22,600 with school fees and
supplies alone being almost $11,000. The other money will be used for personal use such as
movies, food, and travel. One uncommon use of my money will be going to DCI and WGI to
participate in the activities and gain more musical experience and skill.
Estimated Expenses
Looking back at the information my parents and I have determined I will not live on
campus or in an apartment, but will stay at home with them. With this in mind there will be no
room and board fees. The other fees I will have to worry about will be: tuition/fees,
books/supplies, computer expenses, car, cell phone, entertainment, personal expenses, and
miscellaneous costs. The tuition will be the most expensive at $10,640 along with $1,300 in
books and supplies. Technology wise a laptop will be $400 and my share of the cell phone bill is
$40. As for entertainment like movies, concerts, and such I predict about $300 and traveling for
vacation I do not plan on spending extra money unless mom and dad want a family trip. The
second most expensive will surprisingly be my miscellaneous spending on DCI and WGI.
Estimated Income
The logical first source of income is a job, at which most pay the minimum wage of
$8.05. Looking at just a job with minimum wage I could be at $8,200 in a year depending on my
hours. My parents have very generously decided to support my life in college to which they have
predicted to be around $15,000. Currently I have a little under $2,000 in my savings account
from working at Jimmy Johns for about 4 months. My parents have told me I can expect $2,000
in gifts and we are hoping for a scholarship of at least $5,000.

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Data
According to the price and income predictions I should have plenty of money for college
and room to spare some. One can still be safe in keeping extra spending at a minimal to save as
much money as possible.

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Estimated Budget (2017-2018)

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Total
$35,000
$30,000
$25,000
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0

Total

Income

Expenses

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Financial Plan Reflection
The expenses I learned of make me realize how much my parents work for our sake.
They do not work the highest paying jobs, but together make enough to get buy and have fun.
Seeing all the expenses that go into our lives has showed me what I will soon have to work for to
keep myself satisfied and one day even a family of my own. The income I make personally
would not be a satisfying amount to attempt to live off. This proves that going to college helps a
great deal in finding a well-paying job to support myself, even though my family seems to have
everything handled.
Conclusion
When running down the list of expenses my parents showed me I realize how lucky I am
that they provide so much for me and this family. Unfortunately during college a lot of those
luxuries may go away and I will have to rely on myself to regulate how I spend my money. As
explained several times earlier I will be living at home because of the high price of apartments
and dorms. I will be looking for jobs around the area and at home to work during the week and
home on the weekends to help my parents in any way. Despite all the hustle and money I cannot
wait to be a Sun Devil and to study and increase my musical studies.

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Works Cited

Learning to Thrive. Learning to Thrive, 2016 Arizona Board of Regents for ASU, 2016.

Resident Meal Plans at ASU Tempe Campus. Sun Devil Dining,

http://sundevildining.asu.edu/tempe/mealplans/resident.
Semester), (One Payment Per. University Housing 2016-2017 Tempe Campus. University
Housing 2016-2017 Tempe Campus.
Vertex Student Apartments at 1050 S. Terrace Rd. Tempe AZ 85281 for $745-1298 Only. Vertex
Student Apartments at 1050 S. Terrace Rd. Tempe AZ 85281 for $745-1298 Only.,
http://livingasu.com/view/property/23.