Help & Advice needed! Student & Living away from home.

Alex1992

Hello all,

I'm not sure where else to ask for help and advice on this matter and I'll try to keep it brief.

I'm currently a third and final year university student completing my bachelor in science degree. For the past couple of years at uni I have been living at home the best I can but I have many problems at home due to my parents lifestyle.

To explain further; they have a life of debt, benefits and gambling. This is something which has gone as far as living without gas/central heating and bailiffs breaking into our home.

It's something I've tried to ignore for many years but has come to a point where it is unbearable due to the state of our home and their lifestyle which his having a big affect on my life and is starting to make me feel depressed.

I currently drive, therefore I pay a lot of money in insurance and fuel as I commute to university and back but still works out cheaper than living away from home which was my reasoning for it in the past. I'm currently recently out of work after working since leaving school.

Basically, I'm asking what my options are for moving away from home and preferably moving closer to university. As a student I don't have much money and have to budget for my student finance payments which cover the insurance, food, general living etc.

Is there any support out there for finding somewhere to live for the next 6 months at least, as that is when I graduate. What are my options? Has anyone had similar experiences in the past?

If you need any more details, feel free to ask. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Alex

PS Not sure if I posted on the right board. Feel free to move if not!

19lottie82

Alex1992 wrote: »

Hello all,

I'm not sure where else to ask for help and advice on this matter and I'll try to keep it brief.

I'm currently a third and final year university student completing my bachelor in science degree. For the past couple of years at uni I have been living at home the best I can but I have many problems at home due to my parents lifestyle.

To explain further; they have a life of debt, benefits and gambling. This is something which has gone as far as living without gas/central heating and bailiffs breaking into our home.

It's something I've tried to ignore for many years but has come to a point where it is unbearable due to the state of our home and their lifestyle which his having a big affect on my life and is starting to make me feel depressed.

I currently drive, therefore I pay a lot of money in insurance and fuel as I commute to university and back but still works out cheaper than living away from home which was my reasoning for it in the past. I'm currently recently out of work after working since leaving school.

Basically, I'm asking what my options are for moving away from home and preferably moving closer to university. As a student I don't have much money and have to budget for my student finance payments which cover the insurance, food, general living etc.

Is there any support out there for finding somewhere to live for the next 6 months at least, as that is when I graduate. What are my options? Has anyone had similar experiences in the past?

If you need any more details, feel free to ask. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Alex

PS Not sure if I posted on the right board. Feel free to move if not!

1) look at spareroom.com and gumtree for a cheap room to let.

2) can you sell your car or use an overdraft to pay your rent / deposit?

3) your uni should have some sort of job shop where you can look for work. Also you may be able to find some work over the festive period if you are quick.

19lottie82

Ps you should be entitled to an increased student loan and / or grant if you leave home. And maybe a hardship fund direct from your uni if you can show that you're struggling.

Make an appointment with the student finance department and see what they say

dimbo61

Many universities did not fill all there places this year and many halls have empty rooms at the moment.
this has led to price cuts in some areas ?
manchester being one
As others have said look on easyroomamte, uni forums spareroom, gumtree etc

Fire_Fox

You can apply for a larger student loan if you live away from home, agree with the others see if you can get a place in halls. If you are suffering clinical depression TELL your tutors, accommodation office, student support. http://www.slc.co.uk/
You may not need to run a car if you move into halls, this could save you a fortune. Just walk or cycle to classes, student rail cards or student bus passes for longer journeys.

Are you aware how much lifestyle modification can benefit clinical depression? Are you getting at least 10,000 steps every day and meeting all the government's healthy eating guidelines?

dancingfairy

Hi, in terms of your parents, perhaps you could steer them in the direction of National debtline, cccs or your local cab to get help with the benefits and debts etc? Also perhaps they need some help with the gambling as well?
Living on benefits is hard (especially with debts) and a lot of people are struggling right now so maybe they will be able to accept they need some help?
To be honest with 6 months to go on the degree you might be better off getting a bigger student loan, getting a student overdraft and maxing that and getting a 0% credit card.
Things will probably be hard enough for you with moving etc and finishing your degree so I would resist trying to get a job for now if you can (obviously you might have to get a job though).
Don't forget if you can find somewhere nearer you could cut the cost of petrol massively, in fact you could potentially ditch the car for a while if you can live near campus and take the bus/walk etc? which would save on insurance etc etc.
Why not have a chat with people on your course or put a message on facebook, someone is bound to know someone with a space in their house or halls etc. Aalso check with the uni accomdation office as they may well have spaces or even temporary emergency accomodation until you can find somewhere local.
Best of Luck
df

V_Chic_Chick

It sounds like you will be better off out of there. My home life is nowhere near as bad as yours (although my family are collectively off their rockers!) and I know that I'm a lot happier living away from home.

In terms of financing it, then I would suggest
- contact student finance - you will be eligible for a bigger maintenance loan if you live away from home
- sell / mothball the car, and cancel the insurance.
- find a room in a house that has a spare room. There are a lot of student accommodation classifieds on thestudentroom.co.uk There will probably be spaces in halls, but they will be full of freshers who are obsessed with going out - not entirely compatible with the life of a third year!
- make sure that that student house is close enough to uni to walk / cycle
- remember to budget for bills on top of rent (in the region of £12-15pw, depending)
- look for a job close to / at uni. Universities tend to take on quite a few student staff, doing everything from cafe work to student recruitment, all on a casual basis, and unless you're going to uni in the middle of nowhere there will be plenty of other employment opportunities, especially as you already have experience.

I've found that the full loan + grant + bursary (£1250pa) is plenty to live on, when combined with a bit of holiday work.

Alex1992

Hey guys, thanks for the replies and info.

1) look at spareroom and gumtree for a cheap room to let.

2) can you sell your car or use an overdraft to pay your rent / deposit?

3) your uni should have some sort of job shop where you can look for work. Also you may be able to find some work over the festive period if you are quick.

I'm going to have a trip over the bank tomorrow and see what they can offer me in terms of an overdraft and see if that'll cover rent at all.

Many universities did not fill all there places this year and many halls have empty rooms at the moment.
this has led to price cuts in some areas ?
manchester being one
As others have said look on easyroomamte, uni forums spareroom, gumtree etc

Thanks, I'll have a look at the sites!

You can apply for a larger student loan if you live away from home, agree with the others see if you can get a place in halls. If you are suffering clinical depression TELL your tutors, accommodation office, student support.
You may not need to run a car if you move into halls, this could save you a fortune. Just walk or cycle to classes, student rail cards or student bus passes for longer journeys.

Are you aware how much lifestyle modification can benefit clinical depression? Are you getting at least 10,000 steps every day and meeting all the government's healthy eating guidelines?

Yeah, I'm considering mentioning to someone how I'm feeling, especially with whats going on at the moment. I just feel I have enough on my plate at the moment without being treated differently at uni and such but I'll see what they have to offer.

In regards to the lifestyle, I've decided to take up running simply because that'll help relieve stress and should help me feel generally better at the moment.

Hi, in terms of your parents, perhaps you could steer them in the direction of National debtline, cccs or your local cab to get help with the benefits and debts etc? Also perhaps they need some help with the gambling as well?
Living on benefits is hard (especially with debts) and a lot of people are struggling right now so maybe they will be able to accept they need some help?
To be honest with 6 months to go on the degree you might be better off getting a bigger student loan, getting a student overdraft and maxing that and getting a 0% credit card.
Things will probably be hard enough for you with moving etc and finishing your degree so I would resist trying to get a job for now if you can (obviously you might have to get a job though).
Don't forget if you can find somewhere nearer you could cut the cost of petrol massively, in fact you could potentially ditch the car for a while if you can live near campus and take the bus/walk etc? which would save on insurance etc etc.
Why not have a chat with people on your course or put a message on facebook, someone is bound to know someone with a space in their house or halls etc. Aalso check with the uni accomdation office as they may well have spaces or even temporary emergency accomodation until you can find somewhere local.
Best of Luck
df

I've tried every single route and approach with my parents, but they simply choose not to care. They'd rather have bailiffs attempt break-ins on a weekly basis till they stop than actually solve their debt problems. I won't go into details, but they have recently taken to new levels which could land them in a lot of trouble and this is another reason why I don't want to be associated with them anymore as it is affecting me and my financial situation. I've always been good managing money but now they're taking me down with them and so I want out!

My only worry is, if I was to take out an overdraft and a credit card, eventually they need paying off. I'm just worried that with the current job market I may struggle to get a job once I have left university and I'll have those debts that need to be paid along with rent for where I am living.

The reason I haven't looked for work is because of how busy I am with my degree and I need all the time I can get to study.

It sounds like you will be better off out of there. My home life is nowhere near as bad as yours (although my family are collectively off their rockers!) and I know that I'm a lot happier living away from home.

In terms of financing it, then I would suggest
- contact student finance - you will be eligible for a bigger maintenance loan if you live away from home
- sell / mothball the car, and cancel the insurance.
- find a room in a house that has a spare room. There are a lot of student accommodation classifieds on thestudentroom.co.uk There will probably be spaces in halls, but they will be full of freshers who are obsessed with going out - not entirely compatible with the life of a third year!
- make sure that that student house is close enough to uni to walk / cycle
- remember to budget for bills on top of rent (in the region of £12-15pw, depending)
- look for a job close to / at uni. Universities tend to take on quite a few student staff, doing everything from cafe work to student recruitment, all on a casual basis, and unless you're going to uni in the middle of nowhere there will be plenty of other employment opportunities, especially as you already have experience.

I've found that the full loan + grant + bursary (£1250pa) is plenty to live on, when combined with a bit of holiday work.

Yeah, I'm considering moving close to uni and away from my home town. That way I wont need to use the car often or have it at all until I graduate.

The student loans are plenty for me to live on with a budget, I just need to get through the next 6/7 months or so and take it from there.

Thanks for the advice guys, my main concern at the moment is paying back cc and overdraft if I struggle to land myself in a job once I graduate? Anyone got any advice in that field?

Thanks again!

Fire_Fox

Alex1992 wrote: »

Yeah, I'm considering mentioning to someone how I'm feeling, especially with whats going on at the moment. I just feel I have enough on my plate at the moment without being treated differently at uni and such but I'll see what they have to offer.

In regards to the lifestyle, I've decided to take up running simply because that'll help relieve stress and should help me feel generally better at the moment.

My only worry is, if I was to take out an overdraft and a credit card, eventually they need paying off. I'm just worried that with the current job market I may struggle to get a job once I have left university and I'll have those debts that need to be paid along with rent for where I am living.

The reason I haven't looked for work is because of how busy I am with my degree and I need all the time I can get to study.

Do you have a student current account? These are much more flexible than some forms of borrowing for repaying, IIRC the banks just expect you to use their current account as your main account (now and later) so have your benefits paid in if you were to claim JSA. With many you have a year at 0% before you convert to a graduate account and start paying charges. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/Student-bank-account

If you do run :j please protect yourself from injury - get a *free* gait analysis from a proper sports/ running shop and fitted for running shoes. Ask about last years model of the shoes they recommend because they change little from year to year, you can spend £30 to £50 and get a decent pair, might even get a student discount as well as a sale price. Also *free* running programme podcasts on iTunes or the NHS to help you scale up slowly. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/running-podcast.aspx

Hopefully college should not treat you differently - unless you want that, for example emergency accommodation - but it does help your tutors to be aware ahead of time if you need to formally apply for extensions on assignments. Sometimes mitigating circumstances goes to panel where you tutor will be able to put in a good word for you if you are normally a good student and have kept them informed. You don't even have to give the gory details to your tutors initially, just say there are significant family problems and you are moving out suddenly because it is affecting your wellbeing and your studies? Also get something on record with your doctor, they can then write a letter of confirmation if you need them to.

Let us know how you get on. :A

Alex1992

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Do you have a student current account? These are much more flexible than some forms of borrowing for repaying, IIRC the banks just expect you to use their current account as your main account (now and later) so have your benefits paid in if you were to claim JSA. With many you have a year at 0% before you convert to a graduate account and start paying charges.

If you do run :j please protect yourself from injury - get a *free* gait analysis from a proper sports/ running shop and fitted for running shoes. Ask about last years model of the shoes they recommend because they change little from year to year, you can spend £30 to £50 and get a decent pair, might even get a student discount as well as a sale price. Also *free* running programme podcasts on iTunes or the NHS to help you scale up slowly.

Hopefully college should not treat you differently - unless you want that, for example emergency accommodation - but it does help your tutors to be aware ahead of time if you need to formally apply for extensions on assignments. Sometimes mitigating circumstances goes to panel where you tutor will be able to put in a good word for you if you are normally a good student and have kept them informed. You don't even have to give the gory details to your tutors initially, just say there are significant family problems and you are moving out suddenly because it is affecting your wellbeing and your studies? Also get something on record with your doctor, they can then write a letter of confirmation if you need them to.

Let us know how you get on. :A

I have a student account with Natwest which I had some problems with but that was one problem I sorted today. They've made an appointment for me to see someone on Thursday afternoon regarding the overdraft and the lady said something about a student credit card as well. Anything I should know before they throw an overdraft and cc at me?

It's funny you linked the NHS C25K plan as that is the podcast I am using to work my way up. Currently on week 1 and finding that challenging!

I have a meeting with one of my tutors tomorrow regarding work so I may mention it to her depending how much time I have so we'll see. We do have options for mitigating circumstances but I don't always like to go down that road.

I called by my old workplace today as I passed by on the way back from the bank and they offered me a job there and then so I'm employed again! It's a good thing as I'll have some more money in the bank and I will have to work my uni coursework around it I guess. The job is in my hometown so I guess I'll have to find a place over here for now and carry on commuting to university, still a pain but at least I have a job for now. I'll see where I stand after Christmas whether or not I stay here.

Fire_Fox

If you are finding a running programme tough you are going too fast, a very common mistake (I work in lifestyle healthcare ). Many congratulations on the new job and the student account sounds promising!!! Be careful with student credit cards, these are often not the best way to borrow, interest rates are not favourable. The best credit cards are summarised on the main MSE site - links right at the top of the page.