On finances and being a self-funding student

[memories_child]

I had to borrow £200 off my dad today to pay for my car insurance, and that led me to thinking about self-funding, which in turn led me to writing a new blog post. It's over at http://bethanvjones.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/on- ( Read more... )

Comments

[foxestacado]

This was such an interesting article to read, and I am fascinated to hear about how other students self fund their education. When was getting my Masters degree, which is entirely self funded (and no scholarship money to boot), I took out the minimum loans, supporting myself by taking on 3 part time jobs, including freelance work in just about anything I can do. I also lived at a co-op, which is an alternative housing lifestyle (it's a commune where we reduce rent by sharing resources and sharing the burden of maintenance, administration, food, and rent).

Now, working in nonprofit, I find myself utilizing similar strategies to save money (since non profit work pays significantly less than corporate work). I no longer live at the co op, so my rent is drastically increased. So I am shopping very cheaply, going to ethnic markets in low income neighborhoods, having a food budget of approximately $10 per week, and working a second part time job to supplement my income.

[wendelah1]

I have very mixed feelings about unfunded PhDs. The university admits you even though they can't afford to support your study. It isn't supposed to work that way. It feels very unfair to me.

[erries]

I read your blog entry, and oh boy, do I remember those days. :\ Not fondly, that's for sure! I was a teaching assistant in grad school, and my living stipend covered my rent and... not much else. I never went hungry or anything, and of course I had my parents in an emergency, but money was definitely tight. I can empathize with what you said about not being able to eat out much with your friends, etc.