Money Matters blog
Latest from the Money Matters blog.
Chance to win £200 whilst doing your bit to improve local housing standards
In conjunction with Sussex SU, Brighton SU is conducting a county wide survey into landlords, letting agents and living conditions in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. If you are living in rented accommodation within any of these three areas please take 10 minutes to fill in the survey as you will also be entered in a prize draw for £200.
The survey can be filled in here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/56B88MF
The information will be used to lobby local MPs, Councillors and letting agents to improve conditions in the areas that need it.
Expecting a University of Brighton Bursary payment?
Some students may be affected by slight delays to UoB bursary payments. The delays will not affect NHS bursaries.
If you are due to receive a bursary and you have been affected by this delay, you should already be aware of the problem. Check your inbox for an email from the Bursaries team in Registry.
If you are concerned about a delayed payment please email bursaries@brighton.ac.uk
Student Advice Service
Want to learn to cook?
How? 5 lessons for just £10 (covers all ingredients) and you learn a skill for life
When? 5 Thursday mornings starting 23rd Feb, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Where? Portslade Village Centre, Windlesham Road, Portslade, BN41 2LL
Who? Contact Anna or Erika on 01273 431002/431702 or email cookery@bhfood.org.uk
Student Advice Service
Want to be a financial role model?
How have you managed on your student finance?
Have you found yourself in financial difficuty and either worked through it yourself or been supported with that?
Would you be willing to share your story?
NASMA, the National Association of Student Money Advisers, is looking for case studies to use during National Student Money Week in March 2012 http://www.nasma.org.uk/Student-Money-Week/. If you are interested, please contact myself h.l.abrahams@brighton.ac.uk for more information.
I look forward to hearing from you
Student Advice Service
Be wary of Wonga and other payday loans companies
If you're worried about your next rent or utility payment, come and see an Adviser in Student Services: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/moneymatters/about-us/drop-in-and-appointment-times.php
We are experienced in liaising with landlords, credit card and utility companies, and you can trust the advice that we offer. You should avoid payday loans schemes, also known as 'legal loan sharks' at all costs.
You may have see recent publicity about Wonga, and we agree with the NUS that companies such as these should not not be targeting students with misleading information: http://www.nus.org.uk/en/news/news/wongas-student-loans-marketing-is-irresponsible-/
Student Advice Service
Want to have your say about illegal money lenders and be part of a national research project?
Students are increasingly being targeted by illegal money lenders.
The National Association of Student Money Advisers http://www.nasma.org.uk/ is undertaking a piece of national research with the Illegal Money Lending Team (Stop loan sharks project) and they need your input.
We are asking students to complete a short survey about this issue. It will only take a couple of minutes and we welcome responses from students who have and have not had experience of this. All responses will be completely anonymous.
Please take the time to complete the survey and help us stop these unsrcupulous individuals preying on the most vulnerable people in our society
Want to sharpen up your culinary skills whilst sticking to a tight budget?
Then look no further than this new 5 week course, which is completely free.
Budget Bites is a fun course for anyone on a low income who wants to cook tasty meals for themselves and their family. Learn how to save money, budget for all your week's meals and waste less.
Starts 10th January 2012 at The Bridge in Moulsecoomb http://www.thebridgecommunityeducationcentre.co.uk/contact.php#car
To book your place now contact Jocelyn on 01273 431707 or jocelyn@foodmatters.org
Are you leaving your private rented accommodation for the holiday?
If so, make sure you either take your valuables with you, or keep them stored safely and securely.
If you know your neighbours, you might want to tell them if the house or flat is going to be empty, and if you have a friend staying in town, you might want to give them a spare key to keep an eye on the property for you.
Finally, make sure you keep your central heating on really low (4-5 °C) for the duration of the holiday period as this should ensure that the pipes don't freeze, and prevent a nasty shock on your return.
Student Advice Service
January instalment of student finance payment
Please note that the next instalment of standard student finance (ie maintenance loan and grant) will be paid on January 9th, which is the start of the new term. However, it is possible that some students may receive the payment the week before.
For those of you who are eligible to receive a University of Brighton bursary, the payment date is January 27th.
If you want to check your student finance entitlement or eligibility for a bursary, come and see a Student Adviser. Drop in times and locations are here: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/moneymatters/about-us/drop-in-and-appointment-times.php
Have you been approached by an illegal money lender?
Students are increasingly being targeted by illegal money lenders. NASMA (National Association of Student Money Advisers) http://www.nasma.org.uk/ is undertaking a piece of national research with the Illegal Money Lending Team (Stop loan sharks project) and we are asking students to complete a short survey about this issue. It will only take a couple of minutes and we welcome responses from students who have and have not had experience of this. All responses will be anonymous.
Please take the time to complete the survey and help us stop these unsrcupulous individuals preying on the most vulnerable people in our society http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7QXH9RJ
Stay safe in December http://www.nasma.org.uk/students/Welcome/Staying-Safe/ and all year round