I Think I'm in the S***

lolly-i-pop

Ok, I have a job, but it is only for 2 shifts a week so I end up getting about 60 - 70 quid. I only have this job because I was skint so my bf got me a job at the place that he works. I tried getting jobs in other places but they dont seem to be recruiting.
Anyways, the point is that as of september I will be on placement 5 days a week, so I need to get enough money to live off (including any travelling to and from my placement, so probably about 15quid a week) and pay my bills aswell.
I was crap at budgeting and stuff this year, so next year I think its all gonna go balls up and I'm scared

Anyone have any advice for me??? Please......??? lol
Cheers

youngie

the easiest way to see how you are wasting money is to keep a diary of everything you buy its surprising how the odd 40p here and there adds up.I assume this is a placement through college or similar contact the c.a.b or your local job centre to see if you can get your travel expenses paid

SamMoffatt28

You should try asking student services if there are any grants you can claim while you are on placement. I know when I have to do a placement in my 2nd year I can claim £500 for expenses. You may even be able to get an access fund grant or whatever they call it now. Hope this helps ..

GardenMillie

Great advice from youngie, definitely keep a note of all your spending it's amazing how much more you actually spend compared with what you think you spend.

My best tip - use cash, take out a set amount for food, socialising, travel etc and you will know exactly how much you have left. A lot of people seem to hand over their switch or credit card and forget how much they have spent.

Good luck, at least you're getting prepared and organised.:D

lolly-i-pop

I can claim them back, but only after the end of the placement, so by the time I get the money it will be about 2 months after, so I still have to budget for the expenses. I cant get money from uni because its an nhs placement, and so the nhs pay the bursary which i dont get cos my parents (apparently) earn too much.

Thanks for the advice about keeping a record of everything I spend, I have tried doing this before but I'm not very disciplined with it, will definately try again tho!

As for paying for things by cash, I get paid in cash so I am finding it quite easy to just put ten pound in my purse and leaving the rest at home. I used to be able to spend my wages by the day after I got paid, but this week have still got £50 left over!

sockospice

Take a packed lunch to placement/work, don't take your cash cards and only take as much cash as you'll need for essentials (work ones only).

When you get paid in cash, pay it in to your bank as soon as possible.

I'm on placement at the moment monday to friday, and working saturday and sunday, and I've found by not taking spare money to work I'm actually saving!

Chai_2

I now how you feel as i was in a similar position last year. You need to do your best to get a summer job, whatever it is, set pride aside on this one as you'll reap the benefits later. if you are deciplined now make use of your 0% overdraft. Hope this helps

louise_1981

I agree with Chai, get a job, any job, over the summer. Night time shelf stackers get paid well. And Cut down on expenses, eg. go an live with parents or a family member over the summer. I am sure someone would be glad of a free on call baby sitter in return for a bed and some grub. try finding a live in job, I worked for YHA and they throw in your bed too, though you do have to pay for food, although I worked in a small one, there was only me and the manager, who let me have left overs for nothing.
Also on cutting down with expenses, if you enjoy going out with your mates, stay in with your mates and have a bring a bottle party, so much cheaper than going out and paying mad door prices and even madder drinks prices not to mention the take away on the way home.

As GardenMillie said you are getting yourself prepared now and you have the whole summer to do it, so do not start panicing just yet!

george_2

lolly-i-pop wrote:

Ok, I have a job, but it is only for 2 shifts a week so I end up getting about 60 - 70 quid. I only have this job because I was skint so my bf got me a job at the place that he works. I tried getting jobs in other places but they dont seem to be recruiting.
Anyways, the point is that as of september I will be on placement 5 days a week, so I need to get enough money to live off (including any travelling to and from my placement, so probably about 15quid a week) and pay my bills aswell.
I was crap at budgeting and stuff this year, so next year I think its all gonna go balls up and I'm scared

Anyone have any advice for me??? Please......??? lol
Cheers

Work saturdays!!