Holidaying

JoOfVengerberg

Hi friends. I'd like your input please. So I'm on Universal Credit, 29, living in a shared house (though hoping to get a council place soon due to a new diagnosis of fibromyalgia) and I am doing a PhD. My question is:

Is it OK to save for a relatively expensive treat while on benefits? I really desperately want to do something nice for myself on my 30th (June) as my 20s were difficult (PTSD, ED, the aforementioned fibro, etc.) and I just really want to celebrate being alive.

Would people think less of me if I saved and used my UC/student loan money to book a couple nights at an expensive hotel/spa? I've never done anything like this before, and my lovely friends say I deserve nice things, but is it the responsible, 'right' thing to be doing?

Thank you for reading. I'd love input from anyone who wants to engage!

durhamjaide2001

Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials. Also for universal credit as long as you are actively looking for jobs I don't see what the problem is.

JoOfVengerberg

durhamjaide2001 said:

Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials. Also for universal credit as long as you are actively looking for jobs I don't see what the problem is.

I've been signed off with UC as 'unfit for work/work related activities' at the moment, so while still doing the PhD, I'm not job searching or anything like that.

JoOfVengerberg

Ada said:

As I always say but unfortunately not myself. Your a long time dead. And very little time to live. Your working hard at living despite your demons. 
As long as your health isn’t put at risk because of saving. Then do it. Don’t end up like me. 
I have very little time in front of me. And have Never done anything for me. Spent a lifetime of doing the right thing for everyone else. 
I would love to have had a couple of days away. 

Try and do it before your new home and have other things to do with every penny. 

You deserve every happiness you can grab xx

Thank you Ada. This honestly made me a bit teary. Big hugs for you 

Sandy_123

Do as you please with it its nothing to do with anyone else how you spend your money. Go out and celebrate 

janer1967

A holiday can be very beneficial to your health both physically and mentally so do what you want 

Your money your choice 

I am on holiday now and already thinking of planning next one fiance does pay for the holiday though 

poppy123456

durhamjaide2001 said:

Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.

That's not correct. Like benefits, a student loan can be used for anything you want to spend it on. Both my son and daughter went to Uni and graduated and their student loan was used to live on, as is the case for most students, i'm sure.

JoOfVengerberg

@Sandy_123 @woodbine @janer1967 @poppy123456 Thank you all! Very helpful and kind. Definitely won't be going into the £1000's thankfully!! Also re: uni money, my PhD is very light on materials as it's a creative writing one. I always have money left over even when I buy books I need (and sometimes I just borrow them instead!)

Binky1234

@JoOfVengerberg

Imo it's your money to do with what you wish. My eldest bought a car with his student loan.

My daughter in law took out a loan and went holiday with it.

Spoil yourself now when your young enough to enjoy it, that's my advice, basically grab every opportunity that your given spa days, holidays etc just do it. 

Make memories ✨

JoOfVengerberg

Thank you @Binky1234 I really do want to enjoy life this year. I appreciate everyone's support, it's very kind.

durhamjaide2001

poppy123456 said:

durhamjaide2001 said:

Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.

That's not correct. Like benefits, a student loan can be used for anything you want to spend it on. Both my son and daughter went to Uni and graduated and their student loan was used to live on, as is the case for most students, i'm sure.

I was told by a tutor you were supposed to use it on study materials. 

poppy123456

durhamjaide2001 said:

poppy123456 said:

durhamjaide2001 said:

Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.

That's not correct. Like benefits, a student loan can be used for anything you want to spend it on. Both my son and daughter went to Uni and graduated and their student loan was used to live on, as is the case for most students, i'm sure.

I was told by a tutor you were supposed to use it on study materials. 

Then they are not correct. It's for everything, including living expenses such as rent/food/bills etc etc.

durhamjaide2001

poppy123456 said:

durhamjaide2001 said:

poppy123456 said:

durhamjaide2001 said:

Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.

That's not correct. Like benefits, a student loan can be used for anything you want to spend it on. Both my son and daughter went to Uni and graduated and their student loan was used to live on, as is the case for most students, i'm sure.

I was told by a tutor you were supposed to use it on study materials. 

Then they are not correct. It's for everything, including living expenses such as rent/food/bills etc etc.

i know that but I was told it wasn't meant for treats and stuff 

poppy123456

durhamjaide2001 said:

poppy123456 said:

durhamjaide2001 said:

poppy123456 said:

durhamjaide2001 said:

Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.

That's not correct. Like benefits, a student loan can be used for anything you want to spend it on. Both my son and daughter went to Uni and graduated and their student loan was used to live on, as is the case for most students, i'm sure.

I was told by a tutor you were supposed to use it on study materials. 

Then they are not correct. It's for everything, including living expenses such as rent/food/bills etc etc.

  but I was told it wasn't meant for treats and stuff 

That's complete nonsense.

SueHeath

durhamjaide2001 said:

poppy123456 said:

durhamjaide2001 said:

poppy123456 said:

durhamjaide2001 said:

Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.

That's not correct. Like benefits, a student loan can be used for anything you want to spend it on. Both my son and daughter went to Uni and graduated and their student loan was used to live on, as is the case for most students, i'm sure.

I was told by a tutor you were supposed to use it on study materials. 

Then they are not correct. It's for everything, including living expenses such as rent/food/bills etc etc.

i know that but I was told it wasn't meant for treats and stuff 

Perhaps your tutor was trying to help you manage your money durhamjade x

Hannah_Alumni

I always have to remind myself that self care is very important and that has a cost.

As for student loans, part of the experience is to go to society events, mixers...etc and if you want to instead, spend that money celebrating your hard work at the end with a spa night, go for it! 

JoOfVengerberg

Hannah_Scope said:

I always have to remind myself that self care is very important and that has a cost.

As for student loans, part of the experience is to go to society events, mixers...etc and if you want to instead, spend that money celebrating your hard work at the end with a spa night, go for it! 

Thank you 

Sunny_D

Hopefully you have completed your Phd successfully by now. This is for the benefit of anyone else that maybe at uni.  If a short break is what you need to enable you to cope with the strains of uni mentally, then it will be money well spent.  One of my sons struggled financially through uni because his father was extremely mean with money.  In some cases it could be what saves your life.