Not Quite Rock bottom

MissWorzel

Really sorry you're in this mess sweety.
I'm sorry I can't offer much in the way of some solid advice, but I do have a question... Is it possible to walk to where you need to be, or declare your car off the road, and re-tax and insure yourself again once you've sorted your finances out?

I know my biggest expense is petrol, so I quit the car when I had one and walked!

Also, as othes have suggested... Get yourself a spending diary!! You could even sign up to this website: http://www.spendingdiary.com/... its free, and you get all your weekly/monthly/yearly spending in a pie chart, which lets you see where your main areas of spending are... and exactly how much you're spending on little things you might not think add up, but do!!

Massive hugs... You will get through this, I promise. xxx

Mupeteer

Unfortunately the car is an absolute essential. I live about 25 miles from uni and the bus service is appalling. I've already sussed some free parking about 10 minutes walk away from uni so that'll be where I'll be every day. The walk will do me good.

My grocery bill is for me and my dog so I don't think it's too unreasonable.

I've already started using spendingdiary.com. I used it in the summer too and I know what a difference it made to me. An added benefit for me is that the thought of 'owning up' to my spending makes me stop before I do it.

I have stopped spending on clothes and for presents this year people are getting my time or some home baking. I've only included these for completeness as others have said I should.

In_Search_Of_Me

aww hugs for you cos it sure is tight...only things I can suggest are getting work - babysitting, bar work etc or if youre able teaching/tutoring as suggested. Are you eligible for any benefits etc or hardship fund via uni; can you take a year to earn and then go back to study as an alternative which I appreicate wont be good but its about surviving at the end of the day..huge hugs for you - esp at this time of year...

elantan

hi mupeteer was wondering how things are going with you just now ...dont know which part of the country you are studying in but the s.a.a.s site has opened up for travelling expenses i know it isnt much but every bit helps ...i have claimed £620 hoping to get £300 ...dont know if it is applicable to england though maybe those unis have different approaches ...have you contacted the finance dept at the uni? i know here we have the hardship fund my friend gets £160 a month from it and another got £1500 over the term from it ...give it a try atleast (if you can)

lilly81

One more thought I've had, have you looked at the up your income board?
There might be something on there you could do like sit in on exams.

Lilly X

Damita

I know the feeling about being a poor student, I'm in the same boat as you *hugs*

LilacPixie

How you doing today Mupeteer??

In_Search_Of_Me

Thinking of you....

fudgecat

Hi Mupeteer,
Sorry to here you are having such financial problems. As you have wheels there are several possibilities that could tie in with teaching pracice. Here`s what I did 8 year ago with two kids.
Supermarkets need cleaning - as do offices and they often offer very early start work where you can be finished by 7.30 to 8.00 am. I scrubbed Waitrose floors, changed in the car and then went on to teach a full day. That brought in 70-80 quid a fortnight, I recall. I also tutored through agencies. English and Maths are always favourites, but you might pick up some 11plus verbal and non verbal if you are in a grammar schoo/selective area, or the same form private scjool entrance at 11 or common entrance at 13. Generally netted about 20 quid a session again as I recall. When established you can run Saturday sessions for several pupils at once - it depends on the demand and the parents. Finally there is paid babysitting, again through an agency, depending on the area. I picked up all sorts in London (had to travel) for day and night work, and I could do essays and marking while I sat, if the little darlings were not too troublesome. In the end, by being reliable, I could cherry pick the nice clients,
There is a down side to all this, you have to manage on a Margaret Thatcher sized amount of sleep -ie, little. I tended to fall asleep in lectures as it was warm and the seats were comfy. Trouble was I am a champion snorrer...
Hope this is of some help - I`ve been there and it WILL get better.

Mupeteer

Went to see student finance today - chocolate teapot. I'd sent them an email asking for an appointment for today and they replied saying they were open 9.30 to 4.30 today. Got there at 3.30 and they were closed, with a sign saying, "sorry, we're closed this afternoon but we'll be open tomorrow." Underneath that was, "On 19th December we're open from 9.30 until 4.00. We'll then be closed for the Christams holidays and will open again on Wed 7th Jan." So not only were they closed before they said they would be, they claim to be open tomorrow even though they then say they'll be closed until 7th. Not a good omen. Argh!!