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You don't have emissions testing in MN? Every state I have lived in has that; they just call it something more cool in CA.
Do I know what it's like to have debt specifically from vet school? No. Does that mean that I have no transferable advice to give? Also no. I have paid off $30k in debt since undergrad. Paying money back with interest sucks. I'm willing to do as much as possible to not have to do so again.
What this really boils down to is whether you believe spending money is necessary to have fun. I don't; y'all do. If you find it necessary to go into debt to have fun, that is your prerogative. What we can agree on is that fun is important to your mental well-being at every stage of life, and especially in the stressful stages.
as far as i know, MI doesn't have that either. Unless my whole family has also been ignoring the laws for yearsNot that I've ever done or been aware of.
Maybe I'm flagrantly ignoring the law or something.
That'd be cool.
as far as i know, MI doesn't have that either. Unless my whole family has also been ignoring the laws for years
Then they must be stealing my car every year and taking it for emissions testing without me knowingEither that or they're keeping it a secret from us until we earn the right to be a part of this secret law.
Curious...how many of us on here currently have a Durable Power of Attorney/will/etc.? I don't really own anything besides animals, not that it isn't worth getting my wishes for them in writing.@Coopah ... here are some thoughts and suggestions:
COMMON EXPENSES:
1. Mortgage/Lease/Rent Payments
2. Utilities (Electric/Water/Gas)
3. Telephone Service (monthly)
4. Cable Service (Television and Internet/Computer Service)
5. Health/Dental/Vision Insurance Premiums (these services are probably provided by your school and same thing for prescription medications)
6. Student Loan Payments (if you have any student loan payments due at this time)
HOME EXPENSES:
1. Homeowner/Renter/Umbrella Insurance Premiums (e.g., for your home and household possessions)
2. Home Maintenance Expenses and Costs (electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, termite service, etc.)
3. Home Trash Collection - weekly service at your home (if applicable to you)
AUTOMOBILE EXPENSES AND COSTS:
1. Car Insurance Premiums (semi-annually or annually)
2. Car Payments (if you have any ongoing automobile payments)
3. Car Gasoline Costs
4. Car Maintenance Costs (e.g., oil changes, tires, battery, car washes)
5. Smog Certificate Fees
6. Automobile Club Fee (e.g., AAA annual payment for flat tires, dead battery, towing, etc.)
7. Automobile Parking Permit Fees (annual or monthly at your school)
TAXES:
1. Federal Income Taxes
2. State Income Taxes
3. Sales Taxes
4. Property Taxes
5. CPA fees (if a CPA prepares your annual Federal and State income tax returns)
GROCERIES AND OTHER PERSONAL EXPENSES:
1. Groceries (food and beverages/personal hygiene supplies)
2. General School Supplies (e.g., notepads, post-it tabs, pens, paper)
3. Veterinary Medicine School Equipment (scrubs, stethoscope, etc.)
4. Miscellaneous School Costs incurred at your school (if there are any extra school fees or costs)
5. Clothing and Shoes
6. Laundry (e.g., laundry detergent/dry cleaning fees)
7. Recreation and Entertainment (e.g., haircuts, take-out pizzas, vacations)
8. Home Cleaning Fees (if you ever retain a professional housecleaning service)
9. Professional Association Dues or Club Dues (if you incur any of these things)
PET EXPENSES:
Note: if you have pets, it is advisable to establish a professional relationship with a local veterinarian/veterinary hospital.
1. Pet Food (weekly)
2. Pet Supplies (monthly)
3. Pet Health Insurance Premiums (monthly).
4. Pet Sitting/Pet Walking Fees (if you ever need them)
5. Veterinary Service Fees (wellness/care and treatment/surgery/prescription medications/special dietary needs)
* IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL TASKS:
The following documents are highly ADVISABLE (because you never know when you might need them):
1. Prepare an Advance Health Care Directive.
2. Prepare a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
3. Prepare a Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Matters.
4. Prepare a List of Emergency Contacts and Telephone Numbers (include ICE names and telephone numbers).
5. Prepare a Pet Guardianship document (if you have a pet).
What everyone said. Not sure that this was specifically mentioned, but you can't actually make a dent in your principle until you pay your outstanding interest off at the time anyways. This doesn't apply if you can return excess money during the short grace period after a loan is disbursed. I can't find anything that specifically tells you how long that grace period is, but I was within that window when I returned extra money within a week or two after dispersal. This was something I didn't know about (and many students don't know about). Had I known, I wouldn't have held onto extra loan money until the end of each semester last year (I was worried I'd need it, turned out I didn't at all). It's one way to decrease the accruing interest.Just curious, why do you recommend not paying off interest in vet school as it accrues? Wouldn't that make the overall payments less after graduation since they that amount won't capitalize? (new to this whole loan process)
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If you have the opportunity to have pizza, always have pizza. One of my major life philosophies.
Just wanted to mention, too, that while some schools overestimate the amount that most students will need for living expenses, not ALL of them do. Some are pretty spot-on, and some may actually underestimate depending on your situation. At ISU, we're alloted right around $12000 for the entire year for living expenses... and I know quite a few classmates of mine who are struggling to pay all of their bills on that. Even with budgeting, between my bills I would be completely screwed for this summer if I wasn't working two jobs---my rent alone ($580/month) is pretty much wiping out what is left of my aid package, let alone food.
Spring semester might be really tricky depending on the school as most seem to expect that you will be able to cover your costs through work/family/SO over the summer but, obviously, a lot of vet students will be left trying to surivive off of what is left of their spring package since most schools do not award summer financial aid except for during the clinical year(s). At ISU, that means that some students have to stretch their $6000 or so to last over 8 months. Not easy. Seriously, as much as I advocate minimizing costs and debt as much as possible, I have been very stressed out over finances the past few months (I am currently living off of what non-perishables I still have left from my last trip for groceries back in March) and even having $1000-$1500 more would alleviate a lot of that worry and uncertainty fo me.
It may be prudent for incoming students to also discuss the subject with current students st the school they are planning to attend and see how they do on the amount of money allotted before deciding whether or not to take out the full amount.
Don't remember if this was mentioned, but have a savings for emergencies. A couple of girls in my class had medical emergencies with their pets and one resorted to Go Fund Me to help. I took out a bit extra in loans in case I had a medical emergency or my 20 year old Chevy decided vet school was too much for him. That's interest I'm willing to deal with it I need to in the long run for the peace of mind.
Some club officers would talk about how "maybe this time we'll have meetings with food other than just pizza" or members would say "really, we're having pizza again?"Best part about lunch lectures. I loooooove pizza.
..........what other food is there besides pizza to have?! Pizza is only true optionSome club officers would talk about how "maybe this time we'll have meetings with food other than just pizza" or members would say "really, we're having pizza again?"
These people are insane, I'm pretty sure.
Of course you don't have "no transferable advice to give." Everyone has advice.
But the part you're missing is that you're giving advice about a life stage you haven't experienced. It doesn't inherently make you wrong, but it does mean that your advice should be taken with a much bigger grain of salt than the advice coming from someone who HAS lived through that life stage.
Don't remember if this was mentioned, but have a savings for emergencies. A couple of girls in my class had medical emergencies with their pets and one resorted to Go Fund Me to help. I took out a bit extra in loans in case I had a medical emergency or my 20 year old Chevy decided vet school was too much for him. That's interest I'm willing to deal with it I need to in the long run for the peace of mind.
Absolutely! As a general rule of thumb, three months of expenses is a good starter emergency fund. I'm not saying take that out in loans, but for people like me who are working before hand and trying to decide what to put toward tuition, that's a good number. Also if you have people you can use as an emergency fund that works too. During college my parents acted as my emergency fund because if anything were to happen (for example my car died) they took care of it. For people completely on their own, living on loans, I believe most schools have an emergency fund you can apply for if something happens, but if you want that peace of mind it might be worth it to take out a little extra.
Same here. My younger cat had some crazy infection that took five day hospitalization, fluids, baytril etc and cost me mucho dinero even with vet student discount. Which sadly, is no longer a thing due to state budget cuts. I have been saving in case anything happens in these last couple years for me here.Don't remember if this was mentioned, but have a savings for emergencies. A couple of girls in my class had medical emergencies with their pets and one resorted to Go Fund Me to help. I took out a bit extra in loans in case I had a medical emergency or my 20 year old Chevy decided vet school was too much for him. That's interest I'm willing to deal with it I need to in the long run for the peace of mind.
depends on the pizza. Some pizza is just a greasy mess.Some club officers would talk about how "maybe this time we'll have meetings with food other than just pizza" or members would say "really, we're having pizza again?"
These people are insane, I'm pretty sure.
I have encountered these issues at my AMC - given that accidents are the leading cause of death in young adults.Curious...how many of us on here currently have a Durable Power of Attorney/will/etc.? I don't really own anything besides animals, not that it isn't worth getting my wishes for them in writing.
Some club officers would talk about how "maybe this time we'll have meetings with food other than just pizza" or members would say "really, we're having pizza again?"
These people are insane, I'm pretty sure.
..........what other food is there besides pizza to have?! Pizza is only true option
Some club officers would talk about how "maybe this time we'll have meetings with food other than just pizza" or members would say "really, we're having pizza again?"
These people are insane, I'm pretty sure.
People would bring in Jimmy John's or Panda or Fizzoli's. Like, those are good. Pizza is just better. I love when frozen pizzas go on sale.
I'd walk out if they had Jimmy John's that place is disgusting. Maybe they need to be less "freaky fast" and focus a bit more on providing good food.
Pizza's good and all, but it does get old.
We've had a taco bar, Mediterranean, lasagna, Chick-fil-A, panda, noodles and company, an assortment of sandwich places (grand traverse pie company being the best among them), and ice cream in recent memory. They're all good to break up the monotony of pizza.
The grand traverse place (I think it's only in MI) makes a bomb pesto chicken sandwich. Throw in a slice of pie, and it's one of the best box lunches I've hadSee, those are all good, minus the sandwiches. I'm not a big sandwich fan and when I do make a sandwich, it has to be just right. Most places just can't get it right. So when I get into a lunch meeting for food and see sandwiches, I get disappointed because I could have made that at home and made it a million times better.
As long as your SO's income can cover living expenses I think that sounds fineThank you everyone, super helpful. I am only planning on taking out loans for the actual program tuition and fees cost, not living, gas, etc. as my SO will be working full time. I have money in savings that I'm not touching for emergencies. Do you guys think this sounds reasonable, or should I take out extra in loans?
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My like is actually a dislike. Those chips are garbage next to waffle friesWe've had lots of different stuff. The dinner meetings are the best because then you get real catering. Chick-fil-A happens a lot with lunches, which is awesome, except that you get waffle chips instead of fries
This. If it's Little Caesar's, or if the pizza's not hot, count me out. But I'm aware I'm pickier about pizza than most people. We got inundated with free pizza the first couple of weeks of school, so a lot of club emails will promise non-pizza food.depends on the pizza. Some pizza is just a greasy mess.
I'd say 15 hours a week or less, preferably something on campus so they'll work with your schedule!What would you consider a reasonable number of hours to work during vet school? I'm hoping to work part-time once I've (hopefully!) gotten a little used to the workload.
as far as i know, MI doesn't have that either. Unless my whole family has also been ignoring the laws for years
Hahaha I figured so since my dad has lived here since he was born and my mom since she was like 10There aren't emissions tests in MI. You're safe.
Thank you everyone, super helpful. I am only planning on taking out loans for the actual program tuition and fees cost, not living, gas, etc. as my SO will be working full time. I have money in savings that I'm not touching for emergencies. Do you guys think this sounds reasonable, or should I take out extra in loans?
To me it sounds reasonable. I haven't accepted any amount yet. I'm planning on taking out for tuition and half of rent/food.gas and maybe an extra couple thousand for breathing room? My situation is a little different but my dad is helping me some with rent. I think you'll be good with a SO sharing expenses.
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What would you consider a reasonable number of hours to work during vet school? I'm hoping to work part-time once I've (hopefully!) gotten a little used to the workload.
You have 120 days to return extra loan money and have any accrued interest on that amount forgiven? I didn't think it varied school to school.I think the grace period is something like 120 days (at least at MSU it is). So you've got almost a whole semester to judge your spending and return if you need to
Thank you for that info! I was just looking at my financial aid award from ISU and they told us to account approx. a bit over 9,000 for housing and meals. I thought that was kinda ridiculous for a whole year. At first I thought it was me being used to the CA cost of living but glad to know that I should expect to spend a bit more than that.Just wanted to mention, too, that while some schools overestimate the amount that most students will need for living expenses, not ALL of them do. Some are pretty spot-on, and some may actually underestimate depending on your situation. At ISU, we're alloted right around $12000 for the entire year for living expenses... and I know quite a few classmates of mine who are struggling to pay all of their bills on that. Even with budgeting, between my bills I would be completely screwed for this summer if I wasn't working two jobs---my rent alone ($580/month) is pretty much wiping out what is left of my aid package, let alone food.
Spring semester might be really tricky depending on the school as most seem to expect that you will be able to cover your costs through work/family/SO over the summer but, obviously, a lot of vet students will be left trying to surivive off of what is left of their spring package since most schools do not award summer financial aid except for during the clinical year(s). At ISU, that means that some students have to stretch their $6000 or so to last over 8 months. Not easy. Seriously, as much as I advocate minimizing costs and debt as much as possible, I have been very stressed out over finances the past few months (I am currently living off of what non-perishables I still have left from my last trip for groceries back in March) and even having $1000-$1500 more would alleviate a lot of that worry and uncertainty fo me.
It may be prudent for incoming students to also discuss the subject with current students st the school they are planning to attend and see how they do on the amount of money allotted before deciding whether or not to take out the full amount.
I can't help with the scrubs question, but there are several gluten-free people in my class and clubs seem to be good about accommodating them! At least here there's always a spot on meeting sign-ups to indicate if you have a dietary restriction. I think most pizza places at least have salads if they don't have gluten-free pizza.Also, sounds like I might not have a lot to eat at meetings since I have celiac disease and need GF food. Not like that is at all new lol But I guess +1 for the non-pizza club haha
This might be an odd question but what do people get for scrubs and overalls if they are super thin? I'm a 00/0 5'7" and 115. I'm worried in particular that whatever coveralls I get will be absolutely huge on me. It seems like the smallest are men's smalls but I could be wrong.
EDIT: this might fit better in a different thread and I could move it if need be
This might be an odd question but what do people get for scrubs and overalls if they are super thin? I'm a 00/0 5'7" and 115. I'm worried in particular that whatever coveralls I get will be absolutely huge on me. It seems like the smallest are men's smalls but I could be wrong.
EDIT: this might fit better in a different thread and I could move it if need be
We sound pretty much the same size! That is unusual but very helpful. Thanks so much for the advice and I will make sure to check out FIGS. And yes, pants are the main issue. Baggy tops are alright but I can't have my pants falling down or 3 inches too short. Thanks!!@ziggyandjazzy I have found that different brands fit VASTLY different for me and even the XS and XXS can be really large in certain brands/styles (lookin' at you Cherokee). I'm also around 5'7" and have found that the XS/XXS in some of the more affordable brands are also significantly shorter.
I ended up getting some cheap scrubs that just don't really fit that awesome in the name of fiscal responsibility. However, I did spring for a couple of sets of FIGS. They fit well and have a tall version of most of their pants. However, I'm 5'7" and the regular length works for me even in the smaller sizes (very borderline on length, but "tall" would probably be too long for me). I kept an eye on sales and ended up getting them when they were buy 2, get 1 free and with a 20% off coupon. If you're interested, I'd sign up for their mailing list, they actually have good sales and deals they send out.
Their scrubs fit true to size and they carry XXS - I usually wear a street size 0, on occasion a 00 in companies that do vanity sizing more than others. I got an XS in all three of the basic scrub pants styles - I ended up sending back the cargo (Kade) because they were too baggy - I think even the XXS would have been too big, I kept the Livingston but probably could have done an XXS in them, and LOVE the Yola style ("skinny scrubs") and the XS fit fine in those (I think you would need an XXS). Again, I'm 5'7" and the Yola is borderline short on me, but from the looks of the photos online it looks like that's the intention and I don't mind it. If you do try out FIGS, the Yola are also really nice because they have pockets (the Livingston does not). I only got 2 scrub tops from them but got them in XXS and they fit well - I found that scrub tops from other brands tended to fit a little better than bottoms, so I decided to primarily get pants from FIGS since my main issue was length and then get cheaper scrub tops in Navy or Ceil from somewhere else as needed.