Holidaying
Options
JoOfVengerberg
Scope Member Posts: 497 Pioneering
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!
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!
she/her, PhD student (disability fiction + cure), cerebral palsy + fibro
Tagged:
Comments
-
durhamjaide2001 Community Co-Production Group, Scope Member Posts: 10,756 Disability GamechangerOptionsAbsolutely 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.
-
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.she/her, PhD student (disability fiction + cure), cerebral palsy + fibro
-
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 xxshe/her, PhD student (disability fiction + cure), cerebral palsy + fibro -
Do as you please with it its nothing to do with anyone else how you spend your money. Go out and celebrate
-
You can do what you please with your money one note of caution savings over £6000 must be notified to UC and that will affect your benefits,savibgs over £16,000 and you lose all means tested benefits.
Other than that have a good holiday when the time comes
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit-income-and-capital/Capital-Savings
2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡 -
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 -
durhamjaide2001 said:Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.
I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
@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!)she/her, PhD student (disability fiction + cure), cerebral palsy + fibro
-
@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 ✨
Knowing When to walk away is Wisdom, being able is courage, walking away with your head held high is dignity. -
Thank you @Binky1234 I really do want to enjoy life this year. I appreciate everyone's support, it's very kind.she/her, PhD student (disability fiction + cure), cerebral palsy + fibro
-
durhamjaide2001 Community Co-Production Group, Scope Member Posts: 10,756 Disability GamechangerOptionspoppy123456 said:durhamjaide2001 said:Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.
-
durhamjaide2001 said:poppy123456 said:durhamjaide2001 said:Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.
Then they are not correct. It's for everything, including living expenses such as rent/food/bills etc etc.
I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
durhamjaide2001 Community Co-Production Group, Scope Member Posts: 10,756 Disability GamechangerOptionspoppy123456 said:durhamjaide2001 said:poppy123456 said:durhamjaide2001 said:Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.
Then they are not correct. It's for everything, including living expenses such as rent/food/bills etc etc. -
durhamjaide2001 said:poppy123456 said:durhamjaide2001 said:poppy123456 said:durhamjaide2001 said:Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.
Then they are not correct. It's for everything, including living expenses such as rent/food/bills etc etc.
That's complete nonsense.
I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
durhamjaide2001 said:poppy123456 said:durhamjaide2001 said:poppy123456 said:durhamjaide2001 said:Absolutely I know you are supposed to use your student loan for study materials.
Then they are not correct. It's for everything, including living expenses such as rent/food/bills etc etc. -
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!Hannah - She / Her
Online Community Coordinator @ Scope
Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.
Want to give us feedback? Complete our feedback form now. -
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!she/her, PhD student (disability fiction + cure), cerebral palsy + fibro -
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.
-
It's really important to take good care of yourself. Enjoy as much as you want!
Brightness
Categories
- All Categories
- 13.1K Start here and say hello!
- 6.7K Coffee lounge
- 69 Games lounge
- 387 Cost of living
- 4.3K Disability rights and campaigning
- 1.9K Research and opportunities
- 200 Community updates
- 9.3K Talk about your situation
- 2.1K Children, parents, and families
- 1.6K Work and employment
- 773 Education
- 1.7K Housing and independent living
- 1.4K Aids, adaptations, and equipment
- 590 Dating, sex, and relationships
- 363 Exercise and accessible facilities
- 739 Transport and travel
- 31.9K Talk about money
- 4.4K Benefits and financial support
- 5.2K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 17.2K PIP, DLA, and AA
- 5K Universal Credit (UC)
- 6.2K Talk about your impairment
- 1.8K Cerebral palsy
- 872 Chronic pain and pain management
- 181 Physical and neurological impairments
- 1.1K Autism and neurodiversity
- 1.2K Mental health and wellbeing
- 317 Sensory impairments
- 820 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions