What would YOU do? College Student Q's???

[fg1011224]

How about becoming a tutor in your spare time? Many parents would pay well for a college student to tutor their child. You could post notices in supermarkets, church bulletin boards, etc.

This is actually what one of my bosses keeps telling me to do but I'm not so sure bc I live in a low-income area where this is FREE lol. I do plan on trying it though . Thanks much!!!

[Cricketlegs]

I'm glad to see you found some solutions.

[Anna43]

Do you qualify for food stamps? If so that could free up $'s and you'll eat better which will keep you healthy. Even $10 in food stamps would be helpful.

Could you offer to work off the gym fees? Cleaning or whatever? What happens if you don't pay? Will they actually sue to collect or just harrass you?

I don't know what amount you'll be receiving for your grant, but I'd sit down right now and plan to the penny where it needs to go. Make sure you keep back a portion as an emergency fund. Credit cards are not EF's they are DEBT.

I had a client last year who told me he ran out of money for food a week before the end of each month. He started helping serve at senior citizens and got a free meal each day. This man had been a professional person before he had a stroke which disabled him. I suggested he sign up for food stamps and he said he'd only get about $10. I said well you only need $10 for that last week of the month. When he signed up he found he got a lot more than $10 which allowed him to keep his vehicle. In the rural area he lives if you don't have a car you are stranded so it was a blessing to him. My point is don't be to proud to seek assistance. You're not planning on living on welfare forever you just need a hand now. If you don't qualify for food stamps, seek out a food bank.

Plan your meals a week at a time. Make a large casserole or pot of soup and eat it for a week. Next week do the same with a different recipe. Boring but cheap. Reading while eating helps relieve the boredom of the food. Carry your lunch so you aren't tempted to grab something on the run. Carry a water bottle from home don't buy water. Refill from the tap. Eliminate soda and other non-food items and save food money for real food. Beans and rice are easy and cheap and with different types of beans and varied seasoning can make for filling meals.

[gmarie]

Students generally can not qualify for food stamps! If so, they would ALL be on them! ;-)

[fg1011224]

Do you qualify for food stamps? If so that could free up $'s and you'll eat better which will keep you healthy. Even $10 in food stamps would be helpful.

Could you offer to work off the gym fees? Cleaning or whatever? What happens if you don't pay? Will they actually sue to collect or just harrass you?

I don't know what amount you'll be receiving for your grant, but I'd sit down right now and plan to the penny where it needs to go. Make sure you keep back a portion as an emergency fund. Credit cards are not EF's they are DEBT.

I had a client last year who told me he ran out of money for food a week before the end of each month. He started helping serve at senior citizens and got a free meal each day. This man had been a professional person before he had a stroke which disabled him. I suggested he sign up for food stamps and he said he'd only get about $10. I said well you only need $10 for that last week of the month. When he signed up he found he got a lot more than $10 which allowed him to keep his vehicle. In the rural area he lives if you don't have a car you are stranded so it was a blessing to him. My point is don't be to proud to seek assistance. You're not planning on living on welfare forever you just need a hand now. If you don't qualify for food stamps, seek out a food bank.

Plan your meals a week at a time. Make a large casserole or pot of soup and eat it for a week. Next week do the same with a different recipe. Boring but cheap. Reading while eating helps relieve the boredom of the food. Carry your lunch so you aren't tempted to grab something on the run. Carry a water bottle from home don't buy water. Refill from the tap. Eliminate soda and other non-food items and save food money for real food. Beans and rice are easy and cheap and with different types of beans and varied seasoning can make for filling meals.

No, students do not qualify for food stamps. I have to be with child or husband for that lol. I wouldn't apply for food stamps even if I could. I do pretty well with food, making large quantities, and storing it for later. This I learned to a looooong time ago and its helped very much especially cutting out drinks except for water .

That's what I'm going to go into my gym and ask about. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO to get out of that darn contract or maybe pay a flat fee some point later down the line lol. It's a very snooty gym I go to by my work (convenient :/) so I don't know how nice they'll be to me. Maybe there's something in the contract they say is there but really isn't. If I don't pay it, there's a $33 late fee every month :/ so times that by 6 months and that's just late fees if they don't send it to a debt collector by then.

I've been planning for months about what to do with my financial aid ($5000) and originally it was for a car - not so sure about this anymore. I have had job opportunities in other cities and the car is the key to getting those said jobs, however, it does cost a LOT of money to have a car. Now, I'm probably going to use it for dental work and save the rest.

Thankyou very much!!!

[gmarie]

Do you qualify for food stamps? If so that could free up $'s and you'll eat better which will keep you healthy. Even $10 in food stamps would be helpful.

Could you offer to work off the gym fees? Cleaning or whatever? What happens if you don't pay? Will they actually sue to collect or just harrass you?

I don't know what amount you'll be receiving for your grant, but I'd sit down right now and plan to the penny where it needs to go. Make sure you keep back a portion as an emergency fund. Credit cards are not EF's they are DEBT.

I had a client last year who told me he ran out of money for food a week before the end of each month. He started helping serve at senior citizens and got a free meal each day. This man had been a professional person before he had a stroke which disabled him. I suggested he sign up for food stamps and he said he'd only get about $10. I said well you only need $10 for that last week of the month. When he signed up he found he got a lot more than $10 which allowed him to keep his vehicle. In the rural area he lives if you don't have a car you are stranded so it was a blessing to him. My point is don't be to proud to seek assistance. You're not planning on living on welfare forever you just need a hand now. If you don't qualify for food stamps, seek out a food bank.

Plan your meals a week at a time. Make a large casserole or pot of soup and eat it for a week. Next week do the same with a different recipe. Boring but cheap. Reading while eating helps relieve the boredom of the food. Carry your lunch so you aren't tempted to grab something on the run. Carry a water bottle from home don't buy water. Refill from the tap. Eliminate soda and other non-food items and save food money for real food. Beans and rice are easy and cheap and with different types of beans and varied seasoning can make for filling meals.

Thank you!!! No one takes me serious about this . I agree. My solution is to get a child's bus pass that my sister will buy for me . They don't check and it's only $20!!!

My responses to the other replies:

Thank you very much everyone who replied POSITIVELY. I wasn't really looking for criticism but I think we all have our bad days .

I called my gym, I can't freeze my account. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED since I've been going almost a year but it's "against the rules." I'm going to go in an speak to a manager and maybe they'll be nice to me if I explain. Worth a shot.

I can't get a roomie since I'm the roomie. My room's 100 sq. feet. They'd be sleeping in my bathroom lol. But thank's for mentioning it to those that did .

The most obvious answer I got back was to look for a new job and like I said in my original post, - I AM but I'll continue to search .

Wish I could get a "Pay as You Go", but sadly, they aren't reliable where I live. I had two before this phone and it was horrible. I get called into work a lot for one of my jobs, I work with kids, and having an unreliable service is irresponsible :/. I'm on a contract, I can't just not pay either.

Someone said this is my fault for getting myself in this situation. Fair enough, but like I said in my original post is that I DID have a savings and then a savings again, but because of random expenses (medical!!!) it was quickly depleted. It happens :/. I can't fight all my medical issues but I try lol. HOWEVER, I will be better prepared for ANYTHING, especially next semester in case I have more medical issues.

********I'M GLAD TO SAY I FOUND A SOLUTION TO MY MINI-TROUBLES! I decided to drop some credits. I receive $100 back (to go towards my credit card) from textbooks and I have more time for work . My boss and I discussed new hours so I'll be getting some new money in my pocket . With the money I'll save on my bus pass (72 to $20 now) I'll be able to put towards my credit card and pay that off in several weeks. I'll also be downgrading my phone plan by $10. I should be out of debt by the end of September*******

That was close. Thanks you all .

Please don't see the responses as criticism, everyone is just trying to be helpful - think of it more as tough love! This place is great and you can really learn a lot, especially from Greebo. ;-)

Also, I hate to be the one to say it, but I would question the ethics of using a child's bus pass. Being frugal is not about stealing (whether it's office supplies or an extra fountain drink) or cheating the system.

I wish you the best and please know that you will get through this difficult time in your life, and will be stronger because of it!

[oheoh's momma]

ok my advise may be not be popular keep the phone if it is reliable maybe get rid of the texting and or internet. Keep the notebook for access to do homework when ever.Try to find a baby sitting job on weekends or evening when other people r in class or working. eat at their house . It is ok. Forget the gym, all they can do is give u a bad credit score or take u to court for the contract. The judge will tell them they cannot get blood from a stone. A bus pass would help u and walking is great and frugal exercise. PLEASE as a mother do not ride your bike 12 miles after dark. scary. hugs

[miss_cas]

I'm sorry for your troubles. I had a similiar setback that canceled by Pell Grant during freshman year the month after my Father lost his job. I can relate. But, I made it through school and even graduated in 4 years without student loan debt so it can be done.

First,
1. Go to the State Office and file for food stamps. If you are not attending school full-time, do not list your part-time student status. You can apply for a credit on your utility bills in January too.
2. Stop at your local Salvation Army emergency services department and find out where your local food pantries are located in case you need to supplement your grocery budget.
3. If you have any cash handling experience, and sometimes without, and you know 10-key, a bank will hire you for a teller job at $10 an hour at least. These jobs usually require business casual clothing but offer benefits and a set schedule. If you don't know 10-key, stop off at Best Buy and spend $20 on the Mavis Beacon typing and 10-key tutor. You can have your 10-key skills improved enough to get a job by the time the bank calls you for an interview.
4. Stop at the nicest restaurants and expensive chain restaurants (with bar) in town and ask for the Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday after church shifts. This can bring in a lot of money and solve the money problems. (I always keep your excess earnings as some weeks are bad tipping weeks or slow.)
5. Check into a bartending school. A hotel bar will close earlier, offer benefits and $10 an hour plus tips. The clientele is nicer too. You can also work banquets and wedding receptions at the same place and make a fortune.

[patriciakennedy76]

Yes.. stop borrowing money.. I have so much debt at moment it is driving me crazy.

[esb3357]

Since it appears that you are a American student have you looked into being an RA (resident assistant). It SAVED my butt. They offered free room and board (well the first year you paid 10%, so 500). I lived on campus, so no transportation, food was covered so I was never hungry, close access to the gym and I was still able to work a 20 hour part time job. That's what I did. I didn't have a car until my husband co-signed after I graduated. I would not invest into that kind of expense till you have a job. There are plenty of ways to find jobs on campus. I went to a small school and never had a car.