OT: Need to vent...
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| Wed, 02-11-2004 - 11:20pm |
Geez, it's not like I'm not stressed out about money as it is. I'm in law school, I haven't worked since August of 2002 (when I started), and I'm living on financial aid, which doesn't go very far. I had serious car problems over Christmas break. I paid $220 in cash; put the other $270 on my credit cards; and my parents chipped in the other $245 (with the expectation that I would pay them back when I got a job). I'm holding my breath that something else doesn't go wrong with my car, counting my pennies, and cutting coupons. I have $600 of available credit left on my credit cards, and if I'm careful, I will have about $60 left in the bank after finals wrap up in mid-May.
Last summer I went to summer school for eight weeks, lived off financial aid, and took a short term loan from the univ. when the financial aid ran out. I can't take an eight week course this year, so the most I could get for living expenses is five weeks, and that's if I take out MORE student loans for tuition. I have also been told by Career Services and a professor that I HAVE to have a legal job this summer, and I should volunteer if I have to and get a part-time non-legal job. Riiight. Apparently, having a legal job on my resume is more important than worrying about things like eviction or being turned over to collections. I've applied for two jobs and have yet to hear anything. One would require commuting 60 miles one way this summer, but it would be a full 40 hours. The other is only 30 hours a week, but it's in town, and since it's a private firm, it probably pays better. I'd love to have it! But I'm trying not to get too excited about it; my grades are not that much above average and lots of us are still looking for work.
I'm just worrying myself sick about everything. I can't eat, I can't sleep, and I'm so exhausted from homework that I haven't had time to go to the gym since Saturday. So if anyone wants to send "positive job vibes"/prayers my way, I'd really appreciate it. Sorry to unload on everyone!

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Their bankruptsy isn't your problem. But your "living on financial aid" isn't their problem. The only issue here, which is your immediate problem, is that some people you got money from in December NEED to at least have that back right now. And you owe it right now, when they need it most. Same thing if they were strangers, or a bank. They are calling in the loan, right? It's due. Pay it. How you come up with the money isn'their problem. Just do it.
But thanks for the (unsolicited) advice anyway.
Big hugs to you Jess.........that's alot of stress to be under.
Thanks (and again, thank you to those who responded with positive words of support). My parents understand how tight things are for me, and how I can't just go out and get a job to earn the money. I offered to send them $75 or so, and they said no, that I could wait. My mom goes back to work on Monday, and since they're not going to be paying any of their bills, they should be able to pay their attorney part of the cost of the filing.
Edited 2/14/2004 3:27:32 PM ET by jess9802
Apparently there are people in the world whose lives are perfect.
I'm just kind of reading things hodgepodge right now but I came across this one.
Believe it or not, I was in your shoes!! I have lived there! It's not fun, that's for sure.
As far as getting a job in the legal field, that's definitely a good idea. Even if it's law clerking for someone, or volunteering a day or two out of the week for the prosecuters office or the public defender's office, or even a legal aid clinic in your area. Does your state offer the same thing they did when I was in school? I went to school in Chicago, and we were allowed to get a "711" license, which is a license to practice law while a student. You need to be working for a public agency, and you can use your license under the supervision of someone with a licenes. I worked for the State's Attorney's Office of Child Support Enforcement. It didn't pay well ($12/hour) but the recommendations I got upon graduation secured me a job there when I graduated. Now I didn't end up passing the bar exam, so I decided to move to MN, and had kids, but that's a TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY.
The one suggestion I can give you is DON'T LIVE OFF FINANCIAL AID. I can't tell you how many times a day I get calls from the Law Access people. They are RELENTLESS. They don't care what your situation is. They'll give you $150,000 for law school (I went to a private law school, so it was expensive, and I used their $$ for living expenses), and then they'll hound you and charge you up the wazoo for interest if you go behind. At least with the feds I can be in forebearance, etc. But now trying to get a house was a pain int he butt, because I had unsecured debt up to my eyelashes!!
If you want to talk, I'd love to chat with you. I can be reached at Bridgetsmommy@msn.com.
Good Luck!
Hang in there,
Amy
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