I have two boys who are both at college. They each have part time jobs. They spend their money on gas and novelties. I am paying an outrageous amount to insure their vehicles and pay for their cell phones. I know a lot of parents flip the bills for their kids while in school but I am not really financially able to continue this. Are their any parents who do not pay these items on behalf of their kids?

Well I'm not a parent but I just went through five years of college (BA and MA) and am starting over. The first time around, my parents did pay for almost everything. I worked part-time on and off as there were some semesters where my schedule didn't leave job time and I was very involved on campus (for a commuter anyway). When I first started working during high school, my mom and I had an agreement that I would give her a certain amount every week out of my check. Right now, however, the only thing my parents are providing is the roof over my head and a small part of my car insurance (when I got my new car it went up a bit and I just couldn't do that little bit more).

My suggestion to you is that you tell your boys to start chipping in a little bit instead of spending so much on "novelties." Everyone needs a bit of pocket money but college-age kids are definitely old enough to start contributing financially. You said you pay their cell phone bills. Can't they take that over for themselves?

As I said, it's just a suggestion.

I worked for a while at GA TECH, and MOST parents did not pay for their kids insurance and did not pay for their kids cell phones. So basically tell them sorry after this or that date you will no longer pay it.