Credit card or overdraft for supply teacher?

izools

TFD wrote: »

But chances are she earns more in her working months than you do in 12 months.

If you read the original posts, you'll see she has a 12 month contract - that's hardly the same as being unemployed.

If she's earned more than me in the last nine months that I have in the last 12, why doesn't she have a nice float in the bank?

If I was offered a job to start in September I'd be signed up with half a dozen agencies for temp work bridging the gap in income between now and then.

I think you're arguing with me just for the sake of it, I mean c'mon it's not exactly rocket science that someone who has no income for several months, would be better off temping or signing on than putting their life on a credit card until their first pay cheque several months down the road... It sounds bonkers to me!

I'm sure we'd all love to just not work for several moths but we live in the real world and at the end of the day there are day to day expenses to be had and they have to come from a sustainable source. Would you feel comfortable putting your life on credit cards for several months when you could just as easily... I don't know... work?

I think reality check

TFD_2

izools wrote: »

If she's earned more than me in the last nine months that I have in the last 12, why doesn't she have a nice float in the bank?

If I was offered a job to start in September I'd be signed up with half a dozen agencies for temp work bridging the gap in income between now and then.

I think you're arguing with me just for the sake of it, I mean c'mon it's not exactly rocket science that someone who has no income for several months, would be better off temping or signing on than putting their life on a credit card until their first pay cheque several months down the road... It sounds bonkers to me!

I'm sure we'd all love to just not work for several moths but we live in the real world and at the end of the day there are day to day expenses to be had and they have to come from a sustainable source. Would you feel comfortable putting your life on credit cards for several months when you could just as easily... I don't know... work?

I think reality check

I don't disagree that her financial management could be better. Who know why she doesn't have a nice float in the bank. We havent't got all the facts, and who are we to make assumptions?

You talk about not working for several moths (or months) but school summer holidays are 6 weeks. How many teachers work during the summer holidays?

I think your comments about the "real world" just show a lack of understanding about her situation. For example, signing on, when you have contracted work a matter of weeks away is hardly realistic is it?

BadgerFace_2

The thing is, she's worked this year and saved up £800; but next year she's going to be working again and having to pay off this years debt and still save for next years.

If you work as a contract employee, you should be putting towards a pension and saving for both sickness and holiday. That is exactly why you are paid more than a permanent contract. It's good money for a reason, you are very easily expendable.

sharpy2010

Why is it every single time someone asks a question, everyone ends up arguing and disagreeing? It ruins these forums. Why can't we just give out good advice without having to argue about everything?

redpete

sharpy2010 wrote: »

Why is it every single time someone asks a question, everyone ends up arguing and disagreeing? It ruins these forums. Why can't we just give out good advice without having to argue about everything?

Like you did here? (which on reflection is probably good advice)

redpete

Mischa8 wrote: »

Sorry not to make things clear.

Last summer she went to Canada on holidays and paid for all that by CC (don't ask me why, I wouldn't do that).

I think (from having spoken to her) she wanted to consolidate her CC onto a 0% one (I did this with Virgin) but she either hasn't looked into this properly or got turned down.

She wanted the CC because she thought it would be cheaper than an OD and being off work for 8 weeks she needs more than £800 to live on, so she wanted the CC IN ADDITION to her rent etc expenses.

sorry if it doesn't make sense.

So are you saying she still has CC debt from when she took the holiday she couldn't afford and now wants to reduce the interest she's paying on this and what she anticipates spending over the summer?

It sounds like she will struggle to get a 0% card to put the debts on, so needs to think about how to get more money before worrying how to juggle the debts around. E.g. look for a temporary job to bring in money over the summer, and then make sure she saves enough when she is supply teaching to carry over next summer if she must have a long holiday.

Mischa8

TFD wrote: »

But chances are she earns more in her working months than you do in 12 months.

If you read the original posts, you'll see she has a 12 month contract - that's hardly the same as being unemployed.

Just to make a point clear - it isn't ME who's asking the question about borrowing - it is my friend. I'm asking on her behalf.

She has a 12 month contract but works only during term time and doesn't get paid during the holidays. She does work in holidays when she can (at Easter she did and at half term too) - she saves money so if need be she can take holiday, as being a supply teacher is stressful. She plans to sign on but doesn't really want to have to do that as technically in summer holidays she is *unemployed* and not being paid.

And yes, I agree with you about she shouldn't have a credit card/holidays etc if she can't afford it but she does have one.

I even got her to think about upping her earnings as she could do private tuition for SATs but the money offered she didn't think was enough. I even suggested (she's a qualified aromatherapist/masseuse) that she use her spare room and do this for some extra income. No joy on that one either.

To be honest this is some of her silly thinking about money but she does have an accountant.

thanks for going on though some of you. :eek:

Mischa8

BadgerFace wrote: »

The thing is, she's worked this year and saved up £800; but next year she's going to be working again and having to pay off this years debt and still save for next years.

If you work as a contract employee, you should be putting towards a pension and saving for both sickness and holiday. That is exactly why you are paid more than a permanent contract. It's good money for a reason, you are very easily expendable.

I would assume (but not certain) that she either has private pension or some sort of teacher's one. The school where she's at now is nice in that they do allow paid sick leave in their contract.

But yes, she is paid a lot of money.

corbyboy

Mischa8 wrote: »

I even got her to think about upping her earnings as she could do private tuition for SATs but the money offered she didn't think was enough.

In that case I would suggest you stop wasting your time trying to help out somebody who doesn't want to help themself.