HELP...stupid spending habits!!

blondie21

poet123 wrote: »

I am the parents of 2 students,one of whom alaways lives with in his means the other who doesn't!!! both brought up in exactly the same way,so why that should be I have no clue!!!

However, we too are fortunate that we can and do contribute to the education of our kids,and to be perfectly honest see that as our business and no one elses. We do it within cetain paramenters,in that we pay for rent/accomodation/tuition etc, not for nights out on the town!!!

The people on here and elsewhere who are so self righteous about not accepting help have probably never been offered any and are envious of those who have.

If either of my kids were in need we would want to know,especially if it was causing the angst it is causing the OP. All debt is relative, and what seems small fry to one person is a real burden to another,this level of debt is obviously bothering the OP,and that should not be denigrated.

As your father is asking,I suspect he knows something is amiss. I would tell him the truth and see what he says. Either way, of course you must pay it back yourself either directly to the card company or via a loan from your father paid by direct debit back to him.

If you prefer the first option consider whether the peace of mind of having no debt is preferable to biting the bullet and tellng your father,if it is not then take that option and reconcile yourself to having the debt for some time and try not to dwell on it. If you can bring yourself to tell him and take the second option,learn from it and never get into such dire straights again.

I agree with Voyager,this experience may well make you a better lawyer,who has empathy with clients going through hard times.

Whatever you decide,good luck

I totally agree with you.....Well Said

poet123

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

It's not a question of size, but of manageability. As you say, you'll be able to pay it off in a couple of months when you're working and you're managing the minimum payment ok at the moment so you really have nothing to worry about.
We may know nothing about you but you seem to know very little about the realities of other people's lives; you really do have it very easy and yet you can't just be grateful for this and seem to want to make a mountain out of the proverbial molehill! Several people have asked for information about your finances so that they can offer advice but you don't have any interest in providing this; all you want to do is wallow in a puddle of guilt. Pull yourself together and buck up!

Sorry but I disagree, to me the fact that the OP is worrying about such a (relatively )small amount of debt is a good sign. I would be more worried if she had a cavalier attitude to it,as it would say to me that she had not learned anything from past experiences, and would more than likely slip back into her old ways when she has a regular income.

People see debt differently and what is manageable to one person is a real worry and burden to another. Personally I think it better to be in the camp which does worry about debt than the one which does not.

I think as a student she hould be congratulated for even thinking about her debt....very many don't, as it has become the norm to be a student and have debt and you can always justify it by finding anothr student who is further in the mire than you are. The OP is not doing that.

Also, having secured a training contract is no mean feat,so cut her some slack and give credit where it is due.

Oldernotwiser

skintstudent84 wrote: »

Ok, I have £900 remaining in savings from what was left of my student loan. I receive £200 a month from my parents. I pay £82pw to commute to London and I spend £15 a week on travel within London. I have 15 weeks left of my course. My phone bill was £32 a month but I have managed to negotiate an extra 150 mins with Vodafone for £25 as I can't buy out of this contract which runs for another 18months. 3 months will be half price. The minimum payment on my card is £23 a month. I pay £18 a month for hydratherapy once a month for a dislocated knee and that is all my outgoings and incomings.

The job I have lined up in June pays £225 pw.

Yes, but what do you pay for rent and food, I would've thought those were your biggest expenses.

The_One_Who

The thing that really jumps out at me is that your income is £200 per month and you are spending about £390 per month on travel alone. Never mind all the other stuff.

NessyNoo_3

skintstudent84 wrote: »

So because my debt isn't massive it's not important?

Fantastic summation- you'll make a great solicitor!

If I wasn't clear...I was suggesting to put yourself in the shoes of those less fortunate than you to gain some perspective. Your debt will be much more manageable the moment you qualify. Other people who have overspent in the past may not be in the position to pay it off so quickly.

So in answer to your original concerns- I think you don't need to be.

skintstudent84

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skintstudent84

NessyNoo wrote: »

Fantastic summation- you'll make a great solicitor!

No need for that. I was asking you to clarify your statement. Please don't comment on my ability to do my job.

Blacksheep1979

skintstudent84 wrote: »

So because I am supported by generous parents I am somehow not normal? I think you'll find that a fair number of people at university are supported by their folks in one way or another. And contrary to what you may think, I have worked for a living, I had a Saturday job at 15, I've worked every holiday that I am not studying and I am not a spoilt brat. I am also not stupid enough to risk my future career for a £1k debt because that doesn't make any long term sense now does it?

And I'm fairly sure that the legal proffession don't look too well on people who default on debts...

Again, why are you actually posting? You're obviously not here to find a money soloution but to validate how and why you are in the position you are in and the choices you're making.

skintstudent84 wrote: »

I have a job lined up for June, my training starts in Sept but until then I am unable to work. I have said it over and over now so please stop making judgements on things that you are not qualified to speak about. And no, having friends who have trained to be solicitors does not count- the legal profession is huge and varied, this is my situation and it cannot be compared to that of your friends.

How do you know you can't be compared to my friends (as you don't know them and what they went through?)and what qualifications exatly do I need to be allowed to comment? Just that I have to agree with you and flatter your ego?

poet123

:rotfl: Just a modicum of common sense would help!!

The OP has never said she has/would default on her debt,just that she was having difficulty.

skintstudent84

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