Boyfriend who I live with becoming a student again

lilmissreading

Howdy

DH has just graduated after 3 years of an undergraduate course. We knew I would be able to cover bills and living costs.

He did summer jobs and tutored kids in the evenings. It wasn't mega bucks but it was good money for a few treats. He got some grant money from uni.

We did the usual - no holidays or flashy nights out. We explained to those with social events we'd love to go but couldn't afford to do x part. Still there for the company.

We were not eligible for any student loans or discounts other than council tax.

Student accounts can have a 0% overdraft.

Approved foods is a good site for bulk buying cheaper food.

Homemade presents or a set amount.

Less booze (better for us anyway) - often asked for it as a gift at birthdays and xmas.

The pound shop is our friend and shops like Aldi and Lidl.

And of course reading the MSE email :money:

cliffsgirl

Brighton_belle wrote: »

But your location is N Ireland, not London. The rents are astronomical.

True but we have higher car insurance, higher utility bills etc as we don't have the same choices as the mainland.

specialboy

citymodel wrote: »

Thank you for being understanding penguin girl! It's actually a good bit less than 30k and I am paying off my own debts (£200pcm in student loan and overdraft repayments) plus I give my mum a little as she is really stuggling. All that with bills and London rent so it doesn't go far. I would love to live back in Glasgow but unfortunately the work we both do requires us to be in London. We both cycle already and I am paying off the bike I just got on the cycle to work scheme which is £60 PCM so like half the price of an oyster so I don't think we can make more savings there.

I will look into the career development loan. Thank you for being understanding. I know we seem privliidged but we both have worked very hard to be here including

His course won't allow him to have a part time job. Neither did my post grad ( neither are PhDs) but are professional vocational courses. I did have one and I was told if I didn't quit I was going to fail. I did cut back my hours for the last few months but living was tough and that was in Glasgow with a student loan. I passed though!

Unfortunately it's just a necessary career progression for him and I want to support him if there are any ways to make that easier.

Thanks for your input !!

£60 a month for a bike??? You can buy one out right for less than a ton , there's a saving or you.

Homeownertobe

specialboy wrote: »

£60 a month for a bike??? You can buy one out right for less than a ton , there's a saving or you.

A bike available for less than £100 is not suitable for regular commuting so that would be a false economy.

BrassicWoman

You say this is common.. what do other people in his profession do? A job where you suddenly go from income, to no income for a year, sounds odd... no part time study options?

If I am honest it sounds quite selfish to me.

PeacefulWaters

citymodel wrote: »

I guess I'm trying to see if there is anything else we are eligible for discount on.

He should ask the people at the place he's studying.

But from where I'm sat, I don't see why the state, other firms, other people and even you should subsidise his choice to give up a perfectly good income. It's a good question to ask. Just don't expect a raft of handouts to be sat around waiting for you.

Make absolutely sure that you're happy with the decision and feel it's for the greater benefit of you as a couple too. Otherwise you might end up resenting it.

I've been a student for a long time so budgeting is normal to me but now we are I'm London and everything is so expensive

A period of time where you don't have "everything" looks inevitable. Food, water, shelter, heat and transport to and from work are probably all you have to have. Start from there.

is there recognition that I'm the only worker.

Yes. People will recognise that you're the only worker and wonder why. You could investigate tax credits but I think you'll be a million miles over the line.

He can't get a student loan so I feel there should be discounts on more than just council tax.

It is a lifestyle choice. Not an automatic route to welfare.

I asked thames water and they said no... I just can't get over paying for water!!

Wherever you live it's paid for. Just because it's lumped in with a direct debit for local services in other parts of the country doesn't mean it's not being paid for.

slightlyconfused1

As he is doing a post grad he should ask if there are any tutoring opportunities through uni. I know when I was at Uni, post grad students could take small tutor groups.

As a student in Scotland you wouldn't have paid water bills but it is lumped in with council tax and you do not get any benefit towards it as Scottish water is not government owned.

Errata

You're in London, plenty of PT jobs going begging there.

shop-to-drop

I don't understand how they can say he can't have a part time job. If there are no grants, loans etc how is he supposed to live not everyone has a partner to support them? What do other students do or can only rich students take this up? Has he saved up anything while working to afford to take up this opportunity?

shop-to-drop

Errata wrote: »

You're in London, plenty of PT jobs going begging there.

He's not allowed to get a PT job, which seems crazy what will they do if he starts working part time during the course? How would they even know?

How are his course fees being paid? If this course was one year or less then maybe it would be doable with a bit of pre planning but 2 - 3 years I can't see it working. Will it be worth it in the end? Will his job prospects sky rocket? Remember he is also losing 2-3 years of work experience and pay rises by doing this course.