Thursday 15 December 2011

Sleepless nights

Christmas is just around the corner and Chinese New Year is only a month away. Eveyone says it's time to rejoice but find me someone who isn't fretting over burgeoning festive expenses like me. Being self employed means I have no bonus to look forward to and having two school going kids makes the outlook somewhat bleak.

YK's friend has just started university in Australia. I almost fell off my chair when I heard his fees and expenses come up to S$5,000 a month. We're not even talking about studying in the UK or USA. That is more than the combined household income of many Singaporeans.

I have always known how expensive it is to study overseas but this is reality kicking in. I always thought I have time but in a couple of years, YK will be going to university. I must admit that I'm rather ill-prepared and for once, I am glad I don't have twins. Or triplets.

If he can't get a place in our local university, it will mean I have to work my butt off and scrimp and save for the next 10 years or so. This is giving me sleepless nights.

9 comments:

Wen-ai said...

Oh dear... Hopefully YK can make it to Singapore's Univerisities. Yah, overseas education cost a bomb. ;(
I gotta start saving/investing for my Beanie's education liao!

Petunia Lee said...

Ting - There are scholarships and bursaries available. If he can't get a scholarship, try for a bursary. Else, he can work and study part-time at UniSIM, where the fees are subsidised with government grants. Don't worry... try and study the system and see if there is anything suitable for YK.

Malar said...

You make me having sleepless night too....! f now is $5000 then in 15yrs time will be...... I have to somehow make my son enter local University!
Hope YK can get local Uni!

Blur Ting said...

Wen-ai - Because he chose the poly route and he's in a course with the smart students, chances of going local uni is slim. If he had picked the JC way, it would be a lot easier.

Yes, you have to start planning now. We did actually when he was little but somewhere along the way we had to give up the insurance plan which was supposed to take care of his uni fees due to unforseen circumstances.

Blur Ting said...

Petunia - Scholarships are out and we don't qualify for bursaries. I am not sure if UniSIM offers bioscience.

Blur Ting said...

Malar - Many people actually mortgage their house or downgrade just to send their kids to universities.

Petunia Lee said...

Ting - You don't have to do a degree in bioscience too if you go into UniSIM. It may be good to have 2 different sets of skills.

Open Kitchen Concept said...

Ting - you are such a good mother! YK is very fortunate to have you :) I went into local U and I took a loan from the bank for my school fees. I teach tuition and worked during school holidays to earn my pocket money. Happily, when I graduated, I got a loan for my sister to repay the bank and spent my first year repaying her. I can imagine - a 3-4 years education of $5000 would be daunting to any student! YK is so fortunate you are the one losing sleep over this. Don't worry, there are always ways to make things work out... bursaries, part time job, further grants, etc :)

My Sinfonia said...

$5000 a month?? wow...all these international students here...their parents must be very rich!
The way A$ is going, maybe it will be cheaper in US.

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