I am screwed

skintpinklady · 26 December 2009 at 11:55PM

How am I going to get through anything.
I spent along time writing up my PhD thesis without any income. My exam will be in January. I just don't know how I am going to cover any expenses until I get a job, i won;t find otu until April. Until then I just don't know what to do. I am going to look for another part time job but at the moment I just feel embarressed and stressed about the situation I have found myself in.
Any help would be fab,,, I know I probably do not deserve help I just do not know what to do. My natwest card is charging me £20 interest a month cos i am £100 over my overdraft. But hte only £100 i have is in cash and thats for food. I'll starve if i pay that in.

My SOA is below:

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 500
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 500

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 250
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 30
Gas..................................... 30
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 11
Mobile phone............................ 0
TV Licence.............................. 0
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 11
Groceries etc. ......................... 50
Clothing................................ 0
Petrol/diesel........................... 0
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 110
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 492

Assets
Cash.................................... 130
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 130

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Mortgage...................... 0........(0)........0<
paying dad back................1100.....(0)........0<
Natwest........................1500.....(0)........NaN<
HSBC Overdraft.................1500.....(0)........NaN
Total secured & HP debts...... 4100......-.........-

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Total unsecured debts..........0.........0.........-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 500
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 492
Available for debt repayments........... 8
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 0
Amount left after debt repayments....... 8

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 130
Total HP & Secured debt................. -4,100
Total Unsecured debt.................... -0
Net Assets.............................. -3,970

moneypenny2k · 27 December 2009 at 12:05AM

First of all very few people get to the end of a uni career with no debt so you don't need to feel embarrassed. I'm a teacher and a good few of my younger colleagues are paying back student loans up till their 30s.

Secondly I notice in your budget 110 for medical expenses. Is there any way that can be addressed? Also there is no travel expenses. Not even a bus fare?

My advise would be to talk to your bank first of all. See if you can negotiate some leeway on the overdraft. If not is there a family member that can help you? Or is there a uni emergency fund? See your student counsellor to find out.

Finally, start looking for that part time job. people will start advertising from next week. You may have an exam coming up but you won't be able to concentrate if you're worried about your finances.

Hope this helps.

skintpinklady · 27 December 2009 at 12:17AM

Wow thanks for the quick reply. Basically my medical bills include travelling. I have to see a therapist who is quite far away.
I know nothing about banks or overdrafts or anything like that. And also i dont really have much family. My father is already helping me out with my rent. The thing is, I have nothing apart from the cash until my next paycheque. My paycheque is half of what it should be because I asked for an advance in December. I will start looking for a job in January. I think I am just panicing.

MessyMare · 27 December 2009 at 12:32AM

Does your uni have a hardship fund? I think the one at UEA was open to postgrad students too, it's often worth asking at the dean of students office

skintpinklady · 27 December 2009 at 12:38AM

thats a good idea about the hardship fund. But officially because I am waiting for my exam i am not counted a a student any more. But I will investigate. Thank you xx

MessyMare · 27 December 2009 at 12:43AM

Always worth asking

I hope you get sorted xx

mum2one · 27 December 2009 at 12:44AM

I can't offer any real help sorry, but you've taken the most important step, asking for help.
There was 2 things I was going to ask, the medical expenses(already covered), but what about the rent, may be a long shot but have you tried to see whether your entitled to any houseing benefit?

Good luck with everything xx

InaPickle · 27 December 2009 at 1:39AM

I take it that your exam in January if you defending your thesis, meaning that you won't be able to get a professional job unti April, but what is stopping you getting a less important job like working in a cafe, bar, shop until then? It might not be up to your level intellectually, but it would stop you starving and bring in the money until you are cleared to get a job more in line with your qualifications.

tucbiscuit · 27 December 2009 at 7:41AM

have you thought of tutoring? either under-grads or secondary school pupils

there's threads on the "up your income" forum on here about tutoring and how to lake money from it

Generali · 27 December 2009 at 8:08AM

Can you make money from your discipline? If it's something that companies use to make money you could probably get some work doing company analysis for a bank or hedge fund.

Otherwise you might be able to give talks for money or go on a cruise as an 'interesting person'. They get paid.

£500pm isn't a great income, not even 25hrs/week at minimum wage. Could you get some bar work or something to tide you over?

bloojeans · 27 December 2009 at 9:32AM

Hiya, no need to be embarrased, most of us here are in debt for one reason or another. Mine is just sheer stupidity !!!!!. You wil find this forum a fabulous source of support and ideas. I have come on a ton since, coming here daily. sorry I cant give you any other advice. As previous have said, any job with an income is better than none at all.

Good Luck

Bloo x

I am screwed

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