Heading Towards a Problem

Hi Bracken

Well done for facing this and for posting up the SOA.

I agree with others that there aren't many areas you can cut back so you need to both increase your income and reduce your monthly debt repayments and find a way for the two to meet in the middle.

I can see that it isn't possible for either of you to take on any more shifts at work but are there any other things that you can do? I guess you are DBS checked - could you babysit locally? Often kids are in bed and so you'd be able to do your coursework. Babysitters who can drive themselves home are often gold-dust! Whilst you are at Uni (ie not on placement) could you pick up any care work in the evening or on the way home? Is there anything your partner could do? Perhaps gardening - a lot of people struggle with this in the summer and would be very happy to pay someone else to mow their lawn.

Even just a little extra that you could throw at the really high APR debts would help with the overall total.

braken2000 wrote: »

Thanks tbagpuss

I have a couple of prescriptions a month so am currently on the 12 month PPC. Although have now got the form to fill in and see if I can get it even cheaper, so fingers cross on that. Had not thought about asking for a bigger refill, as opposed to "every month" which is a pain. Might ask for that just for convenience if nothing else .

There is unfortunately no funding available for me in terms of grants etc. It is not a sector that attracts many at all, and due to having previous student loan I am classed as "self funding" which is why I am in this mess.

Do you not get free prescriptions as a full-time low income student? Or is it something you have to apply for? My doctor prescribes packs of 56 tablets, as opposed to a pack of 28 (e.g. every other month instead of every other month). I don't know if it is common practice with civilian surgeries though as prescriptions are a source of income for GP surgeries.

Does your partner work for the NHS? If so, and the pay negotiations are accepted once voting has taken place, he would get a lump sum of back pay (guidance is this will come in the summer backdated to April). This could be used potentially to pay off a couple of the credit card debts?? Plus if he is due to move up a grade the increase in wage could be quite significant.

BDFSH x