How has the economic downturn affected your finances?

AdMMM

I'm writing an article for our student paper on how the recession and economic downturn is affecting students finances and am simply after a few opinions. The national media mostly focus on how it's affecting the working population and the economy as a whole so I thought I'd try my hand at explaining what it all means for the average student.

I feel that if I purely refer to my own experience that the article will paint far too rosy a picture as I've been lucky enough to stay in employment and am enjoying the reduction in prices across the board.

I'm all too aware that I'm very fortunate to be in the situation that I'm in and can speculate as to the difficulties that others may very well be in but would rather gather the opinions and experiences of others (to be used anonymously) before putting pen to paper.

RoyalMarine

from what ive seen, landlords are tighter than ever, complaining about having to pay for any work that needs doing.

that affects students because if say it was a leaky roof, damaged window, faulty wiring, heating system, the landlords dont exactly want to put money into the property anymore.

As a student who transfered from 1 course level 7 into a level 8 course, i lost my grant, and i struggle a lot more now.
I cant afford road tax, and my insurance payments are probably going to fall behind soon.
I find myself visiting the discount section of tesco's more and more, staying in and getting a few cans instead of going out. Even if i do go out, i cant afford any drinks, and i just walk to and from town as i cant pay €6 each way for a taxi. If a club charges a door fee, i just go home.

christmas is going to be bleak. I have a 6 year old son, and any money i have will go on him.

I dont see the "reduction in prices across the board" you speak of. Petrol still costs an arm and a leg, my rent allowance keeps getting smaller and smaller, and as i progress through the years of college my expenses get higher and higher.....

Tiriel

In my experience it is very hard to concentrate on studies and work at the same time - more hours than I should be - because there is no funding available. It's either work or leave college.

RealistSpy

Cork_girl wrote: »

In my experience it is very hard to concentrate on studies and work at the same time - more hours than I should be - because there is no funding available. It's either work or leave college.

Especially if employers want top students. The Rich would be ok but Middle/Low incomer students that have to work during college work. How would they manage? This is why the rich gets richer and the poor takes less.

tatabubbly

I work part time to fund my masters course this year because i didn't get appropriate work from my BSc degree.. I've found that banks are less likely to help you out with loans for fees,and such. Also, i spend more and more money photocopying as i can't afford to buy my books, i sometimes have to skip lectures as i don't have money for the bus, so therefore my education suffers. Living off 10e a week after rent, bills is difficult

JenniFurr

I know of a few student who are thinking/planning on dropping out due to finances including myself.

At the moment I'm finishing my lease at the end of the week and I have no money so therefore no where else to go. My grant was halved this year, inconveniently enough in the last year of my course. I think I can stay with a friend but I don't know about that. Each week I've got another bill and since I've come back to college I haven't had a night out. My entire budget is spent on basic living essentials but sometimes I don't break even so I'm left without food for a couple of days at a time. It's a pretty crap existence but because I've only got a few months left until I'm done I feel I should do my best to continue on regardless. I've tried finding part time jobs but because my experience has been doing "cash in hand" type jobs I'm finding it difficult.

sealgaire

Yes, my parents can only afford to give me €200 a week spending money now. Bummer:mad:

JenniFurr

sealgaire wrote: »

Yes, my parents can only afford to give me €200 a week spending money now. Bummer:mad:

Can I have you parents?! I'm not much trouble, honest, and with €200/wk I'll be ever so good.

Annasopra

Jennifurr

You should goto the welfare officer in your students union - see if they can help you to get some help through the student assistance fund

Also the St Vincent de Paul

JenniFurr

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Jennifurr

You should goto the welfare officer in your students union - see if they can help you to get some help through the student assistance fund

Also the St Vincent de Paul

I've exhausted those options already. I've already gotten money from the SAF, a once off payment of €250. I was rejected for a scholarship for my course in favour of another student with lower grades (because he is an important athlete to the college) which I've appealed three times. SVP pretty much told me that my case wasn't severe enough.

My problem is because I'm not completely f-ed... yet there's not much anyone can do. I just have to sit it out and wait to see what happens.

daenerysstormborn3

It sounds like you just have to wait until you're completely f-ed to get anything, which is the situation the majority of people find themselves in.