Money Woes - Just Blowing Off Steam

[Tedium]

I just received a fantastic e-mail today granting me acceptance to the Booming Ground mentorship program at the University of British Columbia. It's a six month one-on-one program for writers. They get MFA students or recent graduates to critique your writing. Sounds great, right? The only problem is that I had an unforeseen expense this month and had to spend the $400 I had set aside for the program. Now they want to take me, and I have no cash. I know I've talked about my BSBA on these boards, but creative writing is still really important to me and this program would be a way for me to work on my passion without wasting time and money on an MFA. An MFA would only qualify me to teach (which I have no interest in, anyway) and I would like to be able to make a nice income while writing, hence the shift to business.

It's just frustrating. I work a dead end job, and I see all of these posts on job sites for better offers, but they require a degree. I'm so close to finishing, but that won't be until the fall, and it just seems like nothing is happening fast enough. I'm not usually one to complain about stuff like this, but I just get really angry when I start stressing out over where I'm going to find $400. It doesn't have to be that way. I just keep getting stuck at hotels that have no upward mobility. After six years I'm just tired of it.

I know that this program is not a necessity, but like I said, writing is really important to me. And it's like everything in my life is reminding me that my finances suck for the foreseeable future. I know this isn't a permanent situation, I'm just very frustrated.

Feel free to ignore this. I just needed to say that to someone before my head exploded.
/endrant

[SweetSecret]

As someone else who knows the woes of financial issues these days (which wasn't even close to the case for a long time), I think I may be able to give you some thoughts on this.

First, contact the program and explain that you are under some sort of financial hardship, offer to provide bank statements and pay stubs, and see if they are willing to negotiate with you. By negotiating this could be either giving you a special discounted rate or putting you on a payment plan. If they can put you on a payment plan you could consider doing things like selling belongings (garage sale, craigslist, ebay) or donating plasma to raise the money you need. If you have old textbooks, those might be a good source of funds. There's also places that buy old clothes, granted that might not be a lot, but every penny counts.

You could also talk to your employer and see if it might be something they'd be willing to help out with. While it might be a long shot, you won't know unless you ask.

When does the program start? Another idea is that mothers day is right around the corner, which means flower shops will be looking for delivery drivers and people to help with putting together arrangements.

If you are good with the internet, contact some local businesses lacking social media and see if they would like someone to help them with marketing. Since you are pursuing writing, it seems like that would translate well to social media posts.

Summer is coming up too, and people will be needing babysitters. Again, maybe it's not thrilling, but the money could add up and if it's pre-teens they can be easy to deal with.

Don't give up! I know things can seem impossible, but I have made some seriously amazing situations with next to nothing... and you can too!

[cookderosa]

I'm sending you an encouraging note, but I've sent it to your inbox.

[ajs1976]

Tedium,

Can you check to see if they offer a payment plan

I feel your pain. I had some unexpected expenses come up recently that have caused me to make adjustments to my plans. No matter what happens, I am going to keep working towards my goals and I refuse to give up.

Good luck

[LaterBloomer]

You know what? You're very lucky. Why? Because you have a passion. Just think. You love writing. Many folks don't have a passion, and that's sad.

Folks are giving you GREAT suggestions, and I hope that one/all work for you. Here's a suggestion that might prove helpful until you can take the mentorship. Some authors that I read (usually of the Romance genre) mention being part of some sort of group who has offered them great support. Many are on line, some are local. By support, I mean they read and critique each other's writing. Have you looked into that sort of thing? It could be something to help you until you get the money for the course.

I wish you luck, and envy you your passion.

[Tedium]

Thanks guys. Everyone has been giving me great advice.

In reference to a few of the comments: I corresponded with them before I applied to see if they had a payment plan or some sort of discount, and the only one offered is a $50 discount in August. It's $500 CAD, so I'm already getting a nice discount paying with American currency. No payment plan. That discount is not insubstantial, and worth the wait perhaps, I just wanted to get it started a lot sooner and have some solid stories written and critiqued, ready to go out around the time I was taking my final classes. I wanted to use this lull in-between semesters to really put all of my focus on my writing. This was supposed to be my step-up from my local amateur writing group. I've waited so long to do this already. Like I said, I'm frustrated and disappointed, that's all.

I'm going to do what I can to try and raise the funds now, but if I can't, I'll probably see about re-applying in the fall. You can apply anytime, I think the wait is because they are looking for a mentor spot to open up when an application is accepted. I don't know exactly when the funds are due, but from the sound of the previous e-mails, it sounds like pretty immediately. I sent a query a few hours after they sent the acceptance, so I'll probably have to wait until Monday to find out.

Not being able to pay for the mentorship kind of mixed together with feelings of stagnation I had about my current job and financial station, and how long it has taken me to graduate. It all came to a head when I opened that e-mail. It's hard not to get bummed about it every once in a while. I still have my eyes on the prize. I'm not quitting or anything, but sometimes you have to stop for a minute to scream into a pillow or break something non-valuable/essential.

[KittenMittens]

It won't help much now - but depending on where you live you could get yourself on some state and federal and government lists that would pay a secure wage, guaranteed pay increases, health insurance, vacation, and even tuition benefits to cover some coursework and exams. Can take up to a year or two to get hired, but the sooner you put yourself on the lists, the less you'll wait.

As far as immediate financial concerns, could you pick up some side job even for a few hours a week? If you absolutely can't work, but you're able to take out loans, could you take out student loan money for the summer, pell grants, plus loans, etc? Any family or friends who are willing to pitch in $50 here or there, and you guaranteeing you'll pay them back?

$500 is a lot of money, but it's an amount that can be overcomed if you really want to do that program. Like other said, speak to the program people and see if they can work with you, talk to the Dean even, talk to a lot of people.

If you really want it and work hard enough, it will be done.