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Student in Debt

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Hello all, I really hope you don't mind me coming along here with a new diary. I used to read these forums all the time and have now decided to bite the bullet and join as burying my head in the sand is just not working. I have A LOT of debt unfortunately all of which I am extremely ashamed about. As far as I am aware no-one knows about my situation and I would be ever so embarassed if anyone did find out.

A little bit about me..

I previously had a very well paid job and felt I was in a position to take loans and credit cards as I would always have that job and it would be easy enough to pay everything off. Over a few years my job gradually changed until it was no longer anything like what I used to do and I was desperately unhappy. After yet another telling off from my boss I told them where to stick it :eek: which was the worst thing I could have done as I had no job to go to so I spent my whole £3.5k overdraft whilst looking for work. During this time I had a good look at my life and realised what it was that I wanted to do so fast forward a few years and I am now at university studying something which I truly love. However, I never have any money and hate not being able to things my friends are doing.
I hadn't taken out any more finance (until last month) and have repayment plans set up with the companies I have debt with. I get a student loan which covers all my bills but nothing else. I recently started a job which I really love but it is a zero hour contract and at the minute I'm not getting the hours I had hoped I would.
Last month I had to take a payday loan to cover my rent and I really do not wish to be in that situation again which is why I have started this diary. I feel like every thing is in a great big muddle and I feel like I'm beginning to drown in it all.

I have a rough idea how much I owe but I'm going to contact my debt companies today for exact figures and I shall post my SOA later

SiD x

Comments

  • dddougal
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    Unlucky mate. don't get another payday loan unless you know exactly how and when you can pay it back...Better to struggle on really than get any more debt.
  • Bex296
    Bex296 Posts: 151 Forumite
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    Hi! Looking at the SOA is the first step.
    If you haven't already tried these, most unis have a finance department and offer emergency/hardship grants, which can be very useful- I benefitted from them at my uni several times. It can be very useful to get you out of a hole. They might even be able to offer you advice and recommend other grants etc. available to you, though it does depend a bit on your situation, for example if you're a post-graduate doing a second degree you might be eligible for less help.
    There might also be other little pots of cash available for uni costs, so have a really good google for student bursaries for your town/county. I got about £50 a year for books from a little charity in my parent's town, which isn't a lot but every little helps!
    Debt: [STRIKE]£8652[/STRIKE]£8550:eek:
    Honeymoon and post-job savings: £50/£1100,
    DFD target: December 2015
    Saving for Xmas 15 #35: - £4/£365
    NST December #28 - Food etc- £200.71/£260, :xmastree: & decs £0/40, Diesel £48/£110, Christmas presents and spending money £335.59/£380, Food Bank £5/5, SFDs 1/15.
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