I know I saw this posted before but the search function is not working for some reason. How much money is suggested for basic, they recommend 50 bucks but I heard someone say you should bring more. Thanks

I am one those that say to bring more. $50 doesn't go too far if you plan to pay for portraits, t shirts, sweatshirts, coins, etc. You could always pull money out of the ATM at the exchange in the later weeks of training (like I had to do), but I think it would be easier to just show up with a little extra cash on hand. Your money is always securely locked in your rack until you need it.

I needed cash for the following (you might have a different experience but this is what I needed):

1) $47 for uniform items they charge you for (it was never explained what it was for but they charged you for it anyway)
2) $6 for the haircut
3) Money for things you forgot or for some reason you weren't allowed to take through security (aka shoe shine kit, masking tape, envelopes or stamps, jock, uniform guide, shirt stays, razors...etc)
4) Money for things for everyone (aka...lysol, masking tape, extra silver polish if the company before you didn't leave enough, sharpies both gray and black, Febreeze)
5) Money for pizza party night before graduation (ours was $9 per person if you didn't get coke, breadsticks, chips or anything else....it paid for 4 slices)
6) Money for class photo which for us was $8.80 each.....probably should bring enough for multiple as you, your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc all want one.
7) Extra cash for everyone who didn't read this website and are going to stink (with no deoderant), miss out on pizza, or wont get a picture unless you help out your shipmate until they can get to an ATM and will pay you back at the airport (you might not be this generous but I was and was glad to have the extra cash for such an occassion).
8) Money for real food when you get to the airport and are waiting on your flight out to go home (be glad to get away from the galley food for a while).
9) Money for souvenirs at the exchange for all the family that want a key chain, shirt, jacket, whatever with Coast Guard on it.

In all, I brought $160 with me and spent every penny in just 3 weeks (thankful to be part of the DEPOT program and financially stable enough to do so). If you can't afford that, it's fine but you might want to plan ahead and get ready for it to be a good deal more than the $50 they told you to bring. Just my 2 cents on how everything broke down. If someone else had a different experience, feel free to add or subtract from anything I have here. Hope it helps.