Can't pay compulsory field trips

whitewing

Forgot to say, when we started on MSE we halved our supermarket budget just by paying attention to it. From other people's posts on MSE this is an easy save to start. I would suggest you handle it though as it sounds like your wife has enough on her plate.

StudentDaddy

Yes, looking at the shopping side of things I think there are some savings to be made! Looking around the MSE site there are savings to be made in most aspects of our finances.

Very impressed with the readiness and level of responses on the site. Will be using again.

Thanks all!

melancholly

if you want to do an overhaul of your finances, head over to the debt free wanabee page. they have links of how to do a statement of affairs (SOA) to put together everything that comes in and goes out. you can also look at all the posts on there (or start your own!) so see where are the easiest places to make savings in your budget. it's can be a bit painful to put an SOA together, but it's the best starting point for looking at things.

if you want great advice about cutting food spending, the old style board is genius! lots of helpful people and good recipes on a budget.

good luck!

amiehall

Just to add that considering the circumstances, it might be worth approaching your bank to get a temporary overdraft extension? So you can graduate.

podcake

I feel your pain, being a student is tough financially. I also see that your family situation is difficult..

However, I do have an observation. £12 a DAY when you cannot afford to pay £400 for a trip does seem a little excessive to me... When I was doing my first degree I used to cater for myself for in the order of £15 per WEEK. Even if you doubled my weekly cost to what I'd have classed an 'indulgent' level you still seem to be the broad side of £100 more...

That said I am assuming that you were only feeding yourself.. (and if you were feeding the whole family, surely your normal weekly food budget should have at least partially covered that??)

Mikazaru

I'd try and sell textbooks first, either putting notices up round uni or on Amazon. Have a clearout of anything you don't need etc and put on ebay.
As a last resort, if they accept credit cards apply for a 0% for purchases credit card as youll be able to clear it come July.

hcb42

I think you have to clear it, to get the qualification, to answer the opening question.

It's same where I am, for sure.

Good luck raising the cash.

kittycatface

definitely apply to your university for a hardship loan - know people who got a lot more than you need for not as good a reason! The SU should have an officer you can arrange a meeting with about it. Best of luck with raising a family and studying I think its really brave, and I hope your wife's sciatica settles down.:)

00ec25

kittycatface wrote: »

definitely apply to your university for a hardship loan The SU should have an officer you can arrange a meeting with about it.

at this time of year the ALF money wil be long gone and when the new funding is available next year the OP will not be eligible as they will by then be an ex student not a current student. The SU may have their own source of hardship funding but again as a soon to be ex student who has a job lined up the OP is hardly a priority case.

as you have a job lined up why can't you ask Exeter for a payment plan. Is it a condition of your job that you must produce your degree certificate, not being "allowed" to graduate simply means in reality that you cannot attend the graduation ceremony and will not be given your certificate.

the OP has a right to ask for the marks transcript and so can prove their degree result if their employer needs something and the policy towards ex student debt for most unis is to expect at least some debts wil be on instalment and once that is done the student will be allowed to graduate

Given the size of the OPs debt, it should be cleared very quickly once he's at work so the problem comes back to whether he must have a certificate before he can start the job, if not then simply agree not to "graduate" just yet and offer a realistic payment plan from the date of your confirmed job.

AndyGuil

When I was in uni I sold software, tools, books and electronics on ebay. I made a few hundred for the effort. I would consider something similar. Have a sort out and decide what you don't need anymore and sell it. Also cut down on costs. Food and drink is the prime target here, be tough, you only need a few hundred pounds so you can achieve this.