Spring cleaning my life!

mikki2d

Another frazzled OU student here. Over the past year have completed K100 and K201 and plan on doing Working with Children and Families this year. I also work full time and have a family so find it time heavy. However, if I can get a degree, my pay will rise by almost £10,000 per year so it is well worth it.

LJD1_2

mikki2d wrote:

Another frazzled OU student here. Over the past year have completed K100 and K201 and plan on doing Working with Children and Families this year. I also work full time and have a family so find it time heavy. However, if I can get a degree, my pay will rise by almost £10,000 per year so it is well worth it.

K100 was my first and favourite course so far though the current one is close behind. I've found if I just do one course a year regardless of how many points it is my sanity is kept slightly more intact. It'll take me longer but I still recognise my children and husband. Still think we must be slightly mad to do it but it keeps us out of trouble. When are you hoping to do the next course then? How long till you get your degree? Best of luck!

LJD1_2

ZTD wrote:

The patio?

You've been watching too much Brookside....or does that date me!

sophiesmum_2

mikki2d wrote:

Another frazzled OU student here. Over the past year have completed K100 and K201 and plan on doing Working with Children and Families this year. I also work full time and have a family so find it time heavy. However, if I can get a degree, my pay will rise by almost £10,000 per year so it is well worth it.

I did Kzx100 the online version and it was my favourite course so far, loved it.

sophiesmum

DawnW

LJD1 wrote:

It's good to hear of other distance learners, makes you feel slightly less alone. I think my biggest problem with the OU is the cost. I don't feel very dfw friendly when I pay for courses. I tell myself that it's improving me but as I won't actually change my job when i've completed my degree I sometimes wonder!

Have you enquired about any help that you might be entitled to with your course fees? I used to be an OU tutor and often had students whose fees were paid due to being on benefits/low income etc. Check with student services at your regional centre to see if you can get any help.

LJD1_2

Mmmm, today I am worrying about pensions. My house is tidy (thanks to fly lady), i'm catching up with study but I have this voice in my head that starts yelling at me from time to time about pensions. I paid into a private pension about 15 years ago for about 6 years and i'm due to get about £7 a month from that when I retire. I don't really have any spare money but should I find money to start a pension now. So, to pension or not to pension. Help!

*zippy*

Hi LJD1

I know how you feel about the pension there always seem something else to spend the money on. I think my pension estimate is £1 a month lol. We are just sorting ours out and I used a pension calculator to get some idea how much we need to pay in.

http://www.pensioncalculator.org.uk/pages/home.php

Well done for getting up to date with house and studying so quickly

zippyx

Seaxwyn

Hi LJD

I share your worries about pensions. I posted a question on the Pensions Board about whether to amalgamate the two teeny pension pots I've got and the resounding message was 'don't even think about pensions til you've cleared your debts'. So I'm trying to shelve that worry for now...

LJD1_2

Ok, that's good thinking. I'll sort the debts out this year and hold of worrying for another year. Thanks for your replies.

LJD1_2

Right, we reckon we're still about £4000 in debt due to the house repairs we had to add to the one account mortgage. I'm now looking at is as an overdraft as that makes it a lot more scary and I want to pay it off in 6 months, 8 at the most.

So, I need to pay £666.66 off a month. Wow, that is scary but it's also possible if we are very, very careful (and it's not exactly going to be forever). If we live off what I earn and don't touch hubbies wages accept for bills, mortgage etc, it's just do-able. I'll also need to increase my business by 25% a month. So, deep breath.........., my challenge is on!