Discussions

Looking for ways to lighten stress on an apprentice student. Finding it extremely hard to make ends meet with high rent costs & low-keyed life living. Grants can't be applied for until 1 year of Apprenticeship is complete and is maxed at a very low amount. Loan limit barely covers the tools to purchase. Rent aid income limit is way too low for a low income single person. Bank loan is near impossible b/c of ratio. Anyone have suggestions for this issue?

It’s a tough time. I lived on instant noodles and whatever the relatives sent in their care packages.  
Relatives were what kept me afloat. Don’t be too proud - ask if there’s something they can help with. Mine was the monthly phone bill. Also paid my car insurance for me. Little things add up. Don’t forget to repay if it’s not a gift.  
If you don’t have relatives, use “the system” as much as you can. Our country is designed to help with social safety nets. Using the soup kitchen, buying second hand, it all helps to free up your money for necessary expenses. Ain’t no shame in getting the help when you need it.

In a house or someone else’s apartment instead of renting an apartment or house. I’ve seen bedroom rentals from $300 a month (far better than over $1000 a month for your own place). Yes living with others super sucks, especially if you don’t know them. But it’s one of the biggest places in a budget to save money.

My best advice. Get rid of the "extras". Car insurance? Phone bills? Cable? These are ALL extras that one does not need.

As sad as it is most need to work multiple jobs. Do odd jobs on the side. Is there still that business downtown that helps organize odd jobs? I remember when I was younger I had my resume through them and they would call with temp jobs. For example if someone needed a fence painted they contacted them and they called their list of people and sent a person to do the job. I worked a week here and there at different offices when their office staff was on holidays. McD’s is great at working around your schedule.  
 
Rent a room in a home instead of an apartment. Do laundry at home etc.  
 
Good luck

Check out the scholarships and bursaries that are available. ACC has a link on their website. Apply for any that you think you might have a chance at, no matter how remote the chance. Especially the ones that require a short essay. You'd be surprised at the number of scholarships and bursaries that don't get given out because no one applies for them.

If you are a poor student then extras like cell phones and vehicles are not necessary when there are pay phones and city transit. Some employers, who have apprentices, will have some sort of lock up where they can store their tools so they are not having to cart them back and forth. And Janet is also correct, that many scholarships are untouched just because no one applies so apply to as many as you think you are qualified for even if you are only close to meeting the criteria.

Are they doing a 1 year program at ACC? Or or they doing the traditional route of working 1 year and going to school for 4-8 weeks then work a year and go back to school (4 year process)?? If you are doing the traditional route you can get an Apprentice Student Loan from the federal government. Up to 4 grand per year. As well you can get Apprentice EI (employment insurance - also federal gov) while you are in school for 4-8 weeks. Also the manitoba gov will give you money for living, transportation etc it may not be much but anything will help. If you are doing it the 1 year in school route not sure what your options are.....

As the above post mentioned there is a government loan available for registered apprentice's. They only pay it out when you're going to technical training (school) and you're eligible for upto $4,000 per level upto 5 levels.  
It's interest free while you're registered as an apprentice and you don't have to pay any of the money back until 12 months after you have completed your apprenticeship (at which time you'll also start to pay interest)  
 
You only recieved travel or living expenses if you live outside the city for example if you need to go to school at Red River because your trade isn't taught at ACC.  
 
You're definitely doing the right thing going through your apprenticeship. Hang in there school time is tough on you financially but it's so worth it in the end. Going forward put aside some money when you're getting your hours to help supplement your EI when your in school and after your 4 or 5 levels you'll be set for life.  
 
Good luck.

You must not really understand what it means to work in a trade these days. Like no idea.  
 
Cell phones are a must, pay phones? Give me a break, are you living in 1990?  
 
Trades students are often "required" to report to their supervisors via text/call, take photos on the job site, respond to emails, fill out documentation about job sites via phone apps, find job locations via mapping....the list goes on.  
 
You obviously don't work or have limited knowledge about the trades.

get rid of the data on your cell phone. Chances are you can use wifi for searching and a tall&text plan is under $20

Oryx, your assumption that I do not work is laughable and contentious, and appears that you have a need to attack anyone who has a differing opinion. I actually do work and have a pretty good idea what the work force is like seeing as I've been working many different jobs for the last 35 years, not to mention I currently work 2 jobs to make ends meet. So if anyone has an idea of what it is like to try to stretch a dollar, I've got loads of experience. And yes I still believe that cell phones are not a necessity when there are other no-cost or low-cost options available. However, if your employer is requiring you to have a cell phone (which is sometimes a requirement), you are able to claim some of the expenses on your income taxes if you have your employer fills out the T2200 form "Declaration of Employment Conditions". My point about a cell phone is that many people today have this sense of entitlement that they need "extras" to survive which is truly not the case, but I do sympathize with anyone who is struggling to make ends meet and trying to make life more comfortable. Life is about choices and choosing what will work best for your individual situation, but if you come on here to request advice be prepared to hear lots of differing opinions and suggestions. Take or leave it, simple as that. Don't hate or attack others just because you disagree or dislike their opinions. Cheers everyone!

Actually...I said you likely do not work in the trades. Not that you didn't work at all.  
 
Having worked in the trades (construction) a cell phone can sometimes be essential to the job site, so long as it is not being misused or against company policies... which most have.  
 
I think have a cell phone is essential, but having the data plans are not.

Thank you all for your input and info. Reduced almost all bills and still extremely stressful. Just trying to decide if I should seek another community/area because of the high rent in bdn but not that excited to start all over again. Making a reasonable social life and attaining new friends is extremely scary now!

To mention that I am living with a stranger (that owns the property) and have been for 18 mos already and it is a feeling of "not my home"

You didn't really explain your situation. Are you a registered apprentice who is on layoff doing technical training or are you doing pre employment so you can get an apprenticeship?  
It matters which situation you're in because that effects what's available to you for help  
 
It sounds like you're doing pre employment because if you were an apprentice on technical training it's tough but really not that hard to get through 6-10 weeks of technical training on EI