Savings Log of a 26yr old on low pay

ViolaLass

mike88 wrote: »

...Maths and Science are great if you want to become a teacher but would need to do a one year PGCE after graduation.

Not disputing your advice but just wanted to point out that you don't need a degree in a specific subject in order to become a teacher, you just need a degree. This is most pertinent in subjects where there is a shortage, such as maths - I have a degree in music but am training as a maths teacher (I have A-level but some on my course have only GCSE maths).

mike88

ViolaLass wrote: »

Not disputing your advice but just wanted to point out that you don't need a degree in a specific subject in order to become a teacher, you just need a degree. This is most pertinent in subjects where there is a shortage, such as maths - I have a degree in music but am training as a maths teacher (I have A-level but some on my course have only GCSE maths).

Thanks. I was aware of that. My wife has a degree in Psychology and eventually after a few careers became a teacher. My point (not clearly explained) was that an employer seeking to employ a Maths and/or Science teacher (shortage subjects) is likely to look more favourably at somebody who has a degree in Maths and Science over and above someone who doesn't but that is not to say others such as yourself will not get work as well. Surely a person with only GCSE Maths would be unsuitable to teach A level in that subject.

That aside, good luck in your future career. I come from a family of teachers - wife, sister, mother, daughter in law and two uncles. It's an incredibly difficult but rewarding job contrary to public perception but is now well paid. Daughter in law eventually joined a private sector training company and became a consultant advising public and private sector employers on their training needs. So, teaching can lead on to other things which is not always appreciated.

ViolaLass

mike88 wrote: »

Surely a person with only GCSE Maths would be unsuitable to teach A level in that subject.

Possibly but there are plenty of schools that only go up to GCSE (round here anyway). Also, the teacher might learn the A-level work in order to be able to teach it without actually taking the qualification.

I agree with your main point though, that actually having maths or science in your degree will be looked on more favourably.

horngkai

Only found this thread today.

Hats off to you MW. If only half of the nation do as you are, the country will be in a much better shape

MoneyWaster2007

I'm hoping the OU degree - should I get it - will stand me in better stead to get a better paid job. I think it doesn't matter entirely whether a degree applies directly to the position you are applying for, more that the fact you have a degree demonstrates your ability to learn and drive to better yourself - both key qualities required for any decent job. That's why I picked psychology, not because it would lead to a specific job/career, but it is something which i'm interested in and therefore more likely to stick out.

On another note, after paying out for the car repairs, my ISA's gone down to £1,157.73 - taking me back to where I was at in September. So it's put me back 3 months roughly - which isn't too bad actually :cool:

And Happy New Year to all!! Mine was a bit crap as had the flu, but still managed a couple of cans and some cava with the parents last night, whilst watching Jools Holland with some nibbles! Quite good in it's own way

MoneySaverLog

An OU Degree is a excellent way to demonstrate that you are looking to gain knowledge and better yourself. It also shows commitment, determination and dedication three values an employer may value more than a degree. By doing the OU degree, especially if you are holding down a full time job already, you can show you've demonstrated all three.

However, I would not put all my eggs in the OU basket, there is nothing better than on the job experience for getting promoted. Yes a degree may help, but it's not the golden ticket it perhaps used to be.

MoneyWaster2007

Don't think I can move up the ladder where I am currently working because my immediate boss is a useless !!!!!! and we do not get on.

Quick question about ISA's: if I wanted to transfer my current ISA to a 'fixed term' ISA eg. for 3 years, 1 or 2 days before the end of this tax year, could I then open a completely new 'instant access' ISA in the new tax year, whilst still holding the other one which is the one that is fixed for 3 years? Just thought it would be a good idea as the 'lock in' ISA's seem to offer better than inflation rates of interest..

tushingham

MoneyWaster2007 wrote: »

Don't think I can move up the ladder where I am currently working because my immediate boss is a useless !!!!!! and we do not get on.

Quick question about ISA's: if I wanted to transfer my current ISA to a 'fixed term' ISA eg. for 3 years, 1 or 2 days before the end of this tax year, could I then open a completely new 'instant access' ISA in the new tax year, whilst still holding the other one which is the one that is fixed for 3 years? Just thought it would be a good idea as the 'lock in' ISA's seem to offer better than inflation rates of interest..

Hi,

Yes you can do exactly this. You can actually transfer the existing ISA at any time (now, just before april or even into next year). You can subscribe to a new ISA at any point in the next financial year (ie - april).
I did exactly this last year and you should (usually) be looking to transfer any existing cash (non-fixed) ISAs at the end of their term every time as the rate will drop and better rates can be had elsewhere/.

t

MoneyWaster2007

Thanks, but if I transferred my current ISA to a new one in the next tax year and then opened another, that would mean I'd opened 2 ISA's in one tax year, which goes against the rules of ISA's...doesn't it?

tushingham

MoneyWaster2007 wrote: »

Thanks, but if I transferred my current ISA to a new one in the next tax year and then opened another, that would mean I'd opened 2 ISA's in one tax year, which goes against the rules of ISA's...doesn't it?

Transferring doesnt count as opening/subscribing to a new one. You can transfer and that stays within the ISA wrapper so isnt a new subscription, You can then use that years allowance as a 'new' subscription.

Lots more info about how to do it etc over on the specific ISA board. Its one of the sticky threads at the top about transferring ISAs and goes into detail about filling in forms etc
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/727139


HTH

t


ps- thats the reason you should always TRANSFER and ISA and not withdraw the cash and open a new one with the cash.