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Wow, thanks for all the responses everyone! There are a few things I should have put in the OP (which I will update) that I already have:
- Netbook, use it almost every day for/between classes and love it
- TV. However, it's old and huge (heavy) and will probably not come with me when I move out
- Xbox, which is one reason I was considering a nice LCD (maybe 32")
- A job at PSU
- Some of my own money in stocks, although not that much
I currently live in Vancouver, so I drive partway in and take public transit the rest of the way. I'm in Portland every day essentially from 9-5, which is why I wouldn't have any use for a bike at the moment. However, when I do end up moving down I won't bring my car, so it's still very tempting. A suit also seems like it might be a good idea, although I can't really think of any situation outside of a job interview that will require one.
Sorry I didn't point some of that out sooner, but thanks for the replies so far! Keep 'em coming!
Keep the money until you say, "man, I could really use a ______"
Improvolone on
Voice actor for hire. My time is free if your project is!
I vote against the tv. In college all you really want is something that is capable of displaying moving pictures. Plus if your living in a dorm you'll probably be sitting like 2 feet from the tv. There are tons of cheap crt's out there. No need to blow 300 dollars on something you won't really appreciate for another 4 or 5 years.
As for the suit, I'm not to sure about that either. Absolutely it is nice to have, when you're a junior or a senior. I guess if you just want to be prepared and not have to spend the money later, but I don't know anyone that actually needed a suit freshman or sophomore year.
I'd probably go with the bike, especially living in a big city, it can be really nice not to have to drive. Although the max system is pretty decent.
Video game systems and or accessories are always nice if your into them. I probably used my xbox more than anything else I brought with me, except the computer.
Jebus314 on
"The world is a mess, and I just need to rule it" - Dr Horrible
A suit would be the best thing for a business major and depending on Portland culture (I have no experience with the pacific northwest) other majors may want one. I personally think a genuinely well made suit goes for about $500 but I'm too used to having to get mine custom tailored.
Saving it is good advice. As will a bike. I use mine a lot but I'm in a bike friendly city (Austin, TX). I drive once a week.
Will you be in dorms or getting your own apartment?
as in most such settings there are occasions when a suit is appropriate
I don't think you need to have one as a college freshman, though
Eat it You Nasty Pig. on
hold your head high soldier, it ain't over yet
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
0
Blake TDo you have enemies then?Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.Registered Userregular
edited October 2009
At 18 a suit wont last, your body will change a lot still in the next three years.
My parents tried to get me a graduation gift when I graduated university, they bought my sister a pair of diamond earings. I told them thanks but I didn't want anything and they could save the money themselves.
If you don't want anything you don't need to spend money.
I'm probably going to major in Social Science or Economics. Although I should really make up my mind, because technically I'm a Junior, since I complete two years at community college during high school.
I might not ask for anything until I move out (into an apartment, the dorms are too much), at which point I could ask for things I'll need (silverware, towels, etc.) and/or a bike.
I'd say get a TV. It doesn't matter if you have hulu or netflix. There are still sports, news, whatever else that just isn't offered there. Besides, it's nice to sit on a nice couch or recliner and veg out in front of the tube every once in awhile.
ink4n3 on
0
BarcardiAll the WizardsUnder A Rock: AfganistanRegistered Userregular
So I graduated from high school this (last?) summer, and my parents recently approached me about a graduation gift. I hadn't really considered it much, as I was happy enough with them paying for college. And now I'm having a lot of difficulty choosing something that is really worth the investment.
We had originally discussed a bike, since I'm attending school in Portland; however, I would have absolutely no use for it until I actually move into the city, which at this point is completely up in the air. I know I will eventually, but it might not even be until next year. Now I have no idea..a watch? TV? Boxes o' Porn? :winky:
Those of you who have received a grad gift - what did you choose and why? Any suggestions? And everyone else, what would you choose if you could? Anything goes!
P.S. I believe the limit is around $300 or so.
Edit: Here are some things that I already have, just to clarify:
- Netbook, use it almost every day for/between classes and love it
- TV. However, it's old and huge (heavy) and will probably not come with me when I move out
- Xbox, which is one reason I was considering a nice LCD (maybe 32")
- A job at PSU
- Some of my own money in stocks, although not that much
I currently live in Vancouver, so I drive partway in and take public transit the rest of the way. I'm in Portland every day essentially from 9-5, which is why I wouldn't have any use for a bike at the moment. However, when I do end up moving down I won't bring my car, so it's still very tempting. A suit also seems like it might be a good idea, although I can't really think of any situation outside of a job interview that will require one.
First off whats your major? I wouldnt say bike as before mentioned, those get stolen fast on campus especially if new... it dosnt matter where you park it, one day youll get lazy or be in a hurry and leave it in a bad place, and a bike lock does not matter. If you are going to get one, get one used and buy it when you get on campus from someone else.
TV would be a nice choice but honestly as you are a freshmen you should take some thoughts with this: do i want to be social? The answer should be yes. That means you should either be the guy that wanders around and hangs out in other dorm rooms with nice tvs, OR you are the guy that people come to see because you have a nice TV. Both are good options but who gets in trouble more if you are all having some fun in that room while drinking? The person whos room it is gets in trouble more. (personal experience and what i did with some of my highschool grad $$ :P).
Also its really cheaper to wait like 3 months until all the kids that just immediately drop out sell you their nicer TV for 100$ because they cannot fit it in the back of their car.
A suit is a dumb idea, you will have it on like 3 times.... 6 if you join a frat and they are a stuck up frat.
Also, you didnt say you had a mp3 player, so i would say get an mp3 player and spend the rest of the money on booze.
edit: other option, if your dorm has a pool table or foosball table or ping pong table, spend some $$ on your own pool cue or nice ping pong paddle. OR spend that $$ on a fun extracurricular class like rock climbing.
A new XBOX 360 since your current will most likely die before long :-)
Still - seriously. It sounds to me like you have no real needs right now so save the money. It can very well you'll need a new netbook suddenly (anything portable tends to only live so long) or maybe there is this girl and concert tickets and...
I would not recommend getting a suit. Chances are it'll be the wrong size midway through your freshman year.
This is supposed to be a graduation gift, something you don't need but really want. Which means no one can tell you what to get.
If you can't think of anything, then you simply just don't want anything right now, then I'll just ask for cash and save it until you need to buy something later.
You're not going to know for sure what you need until you actually start living your college life. Just ask for the cash.
A new XBOX 360 since your current will most likely die before long :-)
Still - seriously. It sounds to me like you have no real needs right now so save the money. It can very well you'll need a new netbook suddenly (anything portable tends to only live so long) or maybe there is this girl and concert tickets and...
Never doubt the usefulness of immediate cash for a college student. Ask for some cash, open up another checking account (maybe find one that let's it build even a small amount of interest) and use it in case of emergencies.
Like OMG someone stole my laptop/netbook and I have a paper due at the end of the week and the library burned down! Or that cute girl wants to hook up and go to a concert, but I'm broke emergencies.
I'm probably going to end up saving it for now, although I already have a separate savings account with about $2000 in it in case of emergencies (although it's really meant as more of an ongoing savings as opposed to spending money..).
Posts
And you can get a good netbook that will do everything but gaming for $300.
Keep the money until you say, "man, I could really use a ______"
As for the suit, I'm not to sure about that either. Absolutely it is nice to have, when you're a junior or a senior. I guess if you just want to be prepared and not have to spend the money later, but I don't know anyone that actually needed a suit freshman or sophomore year.
I'd probably go with the bike, especially living in a big city, it can be really nice not to have to drive. Although the max system is pretty decent.
Video game systems and or accessories are always nice if your into them. I probably used my xbox more than anything else I brought with me, except the computer.
Also this. Definitely.
A suit would be the best thing for a business major and depending on Portland culture (I have no experience with the pacific northwest) other majors may want one. I personally think a genuinely well made suit goes for about $500 but I'm too used to having to get mine custom tailored.
Saving it is good advice. As will a bike. I use mine a lot but I'm in a bike friendly city (Austin, TX). I drive once a week.
Will you be in dorms or getting your own apartment?
Hobbies?
as in most such settings there are occasions when a suit is appropriate
I don't think you need to have one as a college freshman, though
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
My parents tried to get me a graduation gift when I graduated university, they bought my sister a pair of diamond earings. I told them thanks but I didn't want anything and they could save the money themselves.
If you don't want anything you don't need to spend money.
Satans..... hints.....
I might not ask for anything until I move out (into an apartment, the dorms are too much), at which point I could ask for things I'll need (silverware, towels, etc.) and/or a bike.
But those TV's are just so pretty.
First off whats your major? I wouldnt say bike as before mentioned, those get stolen fast on campus especially if new... it dosnt matter where you park it, one day youll get lazy or be in a hurry and leave it in a bad place, and a bike lock does not matter. If you are going to get one, get one used and buy it when you get on campus from someone else.
TV would be a nice choice but honestly as you are a freshmen you should take some thoughts with this: do i want to be social? The answer should be yes. That means you should either be the guy that wanders around and hangs out in other dorm rooms with nice tvs, OR you are the guy that people come to see because you have a nice TV. Both are good options but who gets in trouble more if you are all having some fun in that room while drinking? The person whos room it is gets in trouble more. (personal experience and what i did with some of my highschool grad $$ :P).
Also its really cheaper to wait like 3 months until all the kids that just immediately drop out sell you their nicer TV for 100$ because they cannot fit it in the back of their car.
A suit is a dumb idea, you will have it on like 3 times.... 6 if you join a frat and they are a stuck up frat.
Also, you didnt say you had a mp3 player, so i would say get an mp3 player and spend the rest of the money on booze.
edit: other option, if your dorm has a pool table or foosball table or ping pong table, spend some $$ on your own pool cue or nice ping pong paddle. OR spend that $$ on a fun extracurricular class like rock climbing.
But then there's this nice Trek.
Damn.
Edit: I won't be staying in the dorms, although I can see what you're saying. And I use my phone as my MP3 player.
Still - seriously. It sounds to me like you have no real needs right now so save the money. It can very well you'll need a new netbook suddenly (anything portable tends to only live so long) or maybe there is this girl and concert tickets and...
This is supposed to be a graduation gift, something you don't need but really want. Which means no one can tell you what to get.
If you can't think of anything, then you simply just don't want anything right now, then I'll just ask for cash and save it until you need to buy something later.
You're not going to know for sure what you need until you actually start living your college life. Just ask for the cash.
Never doubt the usefulness of immediate cash for a college student. Ask for some cash, open up another checking account (maybe find one that let's it build even a small amount of interest) and use it in case of emergencies.
Like OMG someone stole my laptop/netbook and I have a paper due at the end of the week and the library burned down! Or that cute girl wants to hook up and go to a concert, but I'm broke emergencies.
a 'cheap' plan is like $70+ a month after taxes. That's a helluva gift.