How much per month to help daughter?

LouiseJ

I am really pleased to have found this thread as I too am in the same situation as opening poster. After accommodation (which is daylight robbery IMO) my son will simply not have enough to live on.

He has some savings of his own but we will be putting £100 a month into his account throughout the year. Luckily his Godfather works in the city he is going to and has said he should be able to get him some casual work in the hotel he manages.

I totally agree in making the transition to Uni as smoothly as possible so intend to help in any way I can.

Wont be going as far as ringing him to get out of bed for lectures though:rotfl:

bouncydog1

All the bits and pieces I have bought have been on 3 for 2 or 2 for 1 deals each week at the supermarket - so I have managed to stockpile quite a store without actually spending any extra money! Duvets and bedding I have sourced online using discount vouchers and some stuff in the Next sale. Best buy to date a M & S electric three tier steamer for £15!! DD has now got the habit and will pick up the bargains when we shop - already good lessons learned.

mountainofdebt

well Junior is taking a year out and hopefully won't be going to Uni - at the moment his Uni place is an insurance policy just in case Plan A doesn't work out.

He's currently working and putting his money in a savings account just in case he does go - I had to pick him up off the floor when he found out about the cost of accomodation (lol!) - so he knows I wasn't just making it up!

Minxz

mountainofdebt wrote: »

well Junior is taking a year out and hopefully won't be going to Uni - at the moment his Uni place is an insurance policy just in case Plan A doesn't work out.

He's currently working and putting his money in a savings account just in case he does go - I had to pick him up off the floor when he found out about the cost of accomodation (lol!) - so he knows I wasn't just making it up!

He's deferring till next year??!
Why.... if he starts this year he'll start on the lower rate uni fees, start next year and they are hiked up!
There was an article in the paper discussing that uni's were phoning students who have decided to take a year off, to explain about the increase in fees.
Is it worth taking a year off to save, when your total leaving bill will possibly be 3 x what it would be if he went this year?

devildog

Sometimes Minxz it is just the right thing to do. Youngest has just failed to get into first choice uni, forunately has a place with insurance choice, however it is felt at this tme that the best course of action would be to get released frorm insurance choice and try for uni that is really wanted next year. Yes the fees are really scary but all things considered probably for the best.

AvidSaver

Have read these posts with interest as in same situation as poster. DD1 off to Uni September. Plan is to pay £50 a week (whilst at Uni, ie not hols) to cover food and social activities. In addition will pay for any books required, pay for a student railcard, and cover shortfall between maintenance grant and cost of accommodation in halls. Know some of my friends who will be far more generous, but would prefer my daughter to get part time job and learn time management skills and to budget. I also pay her mobile phone contract.

BarryW

AvidSaver wrote: »

Plan is to pay £50 a week (whilst at Uni, ie not hols) to cover food and social activities. In addition will pay for any books required, pay for a student railcard, and cover shortfall between maintenance grant and cost of accommodation in halls. .

From canvassing some current student we know that is about the route we are heading. $50 a week to survive get a job if you want beer. We have twins going to different Unis (both their 1st choice) and it is quite enlightening the difference between the two unis. There are quite a lot of hidden cost coming out of the woodwork.

You want to stay in our accommodation? That'll need a booking fee. Oh and we'll charge something for err Insurance - that's it. Want an internet connection? - £150 for 2Mb, £260 for 10Mb. Want to pay by credit card? That'll be an extra 1.5% then. You want to print stuff? ok cough up then and so it goes on and on. I'm sure there are key deposits etc yet to come. And will Studnet Finance come up with the funds in time - surely it won't be a repeat of the farce last year. Don't hold your breath.

cdm

Stumbled across this thread by chance just now, and has proved interesting reading! Like stedwell, we too have a DD aiming for Uni in 2 years' time. We've had some financial fun and games discussing 6th form -- needs v. wants/desires, etc. and we have been surfing the web and seen a couple of prospectuses already, though this thread has suddenly made me realise that we'd better start thinking ahead/planning/saving from now!! I've been a full-time mum for the last 16 years, though DD has a very good part-time job and we are encouraging the saving habit too. She is good with money -- when she sees clothes in the magazines she says things like, 'How much?? You can get the same style in (Primark or wherever) for £x!' She knows the best places for stationery and stuff too, which is especially good as she does a lot of Art! Not sure if DD2 and DD3 are thinking of the same pathway as yet! Lots of food for thought here!

bouncydog1

You really do have to read through all of the contract terms and conditions very carefully. Some of the accommodation may look more expensive to start with, but when you get down to nitty gritty it includes stuff like insurance, bedding which is replaced weekly, internet access etc. Cheapest is not always best.

Some Unis will allow fees to be paid in instalments without interest charges.

One of the best ways (I think) of finding out what the costs of living in a particular Uni will be, is to go along to one of the open days and talk to students already living there. They will tell you all about which clubs have happy hours, where to get the best buy on term bus tickets etc. A lot of them club together and do a weekly shop with say Tescos and split delivery costs and multi-packs.

Also furnish your children with clubcards, co-op cards, boots advantage cards etc for points. Ensure they get rail-cards if they are likely to use the train and help them shop for the best bank accounts and mobile phone deals (if they really need a new one). I was very glad my DD asked me to go along with her to set up her student account as the CS rep mentioned PPI for her credit card - soon shut up when I asked if they were still allowed to sell it after the recent £ms they had had to repay to customers!

There is a lot more to pay than just fees and accommodation costs!

JAZ63

Barry w
Yes we were shocked when we visited some uni halls of residences ,with all the hidden extras you have to pay. we half expected it with the private accommodation,but it soon mounts up .
we have been lucky to find a modern private property to rent that includes all bills for a very reasonable price . it will just about be covered by my daughters loan, but obviously we will have to fund her food( and social life) I too hope the student fund appear in time !!! (didnt want to think about that one )
bouncy dog , totally agree with you in going along on uni open days ,as you get a real feel for the place. It is as you say a good chance to chat with students already there. we actually ruled out a couple of our initial favourites,as the "feel " for the place was not there
regards Jazz