CASHPOINT ISSUE II
SUMMER 2012
A TERMLY NEWSLETTER GIVING FINANCIAL INFORMATION, UPDATES, HINTS AND TIPS TO UNIVERSITY OF READING STUDENTS
FINALISTS… Did you know? UK residents can apply for Housing Benefit to help with rent, Council Tax benefit and Job Seekers Allowance of at least £56.35 per week for living costs once their studies are completed. For more details, and to apply online, go to the directgov website.
Students become liable to pay Council Tax once their studies are completed. Finalists with a student loan are not expected to start repaying until April 2013 and if earning more than £21,000 pa. You can choose to make early repayments.
FREE THINGS TO DO IN READING With the lovely sunny weather coming, socialising and going out can become a lot cheaper. There are some wonderful places to go in and around Reading free.
cessible by bus, train or foot include: Forbury Gardens, Henley, Maple Durham, Caversham Court, Kings Meadows, Harris Gardens, and Pangbourne.
Think picnics, BBQ’s, summer walks. Fantastic picnic spots ac-
Just search online for directions and get out and about this summer..
KIT OUT YOUR NEW HOUSE FOR FREE The website Freecycle prevents perfectly good items from ending up in landfills by giving them to those who need them. It is easy to use and you can gain all sorts from furniture, children’s toys to garden equipment. Just sign up to your local group and
off you go. Don’t forget to give back through Freecycle too. http:// uk.freecycle.org. Look out for information on RUSU’s own freecycling at the end of the summer term.
Want to work over summer? Bar work, shop work, and restaurant work are the traditional jobs for students but also consider signing up for agency work, call centres and more unusual things such as online surveys, being a steward for events, or completing market research.
If you only work in holiday time you could ask your employer to complete a P38(S) form to declare you’re a student. This means tax will not be taken from your wage. You will however have to pay National Insurance on your earnings over £107 per week.
GET PAID TO EAT ON CAMPUS Sensory Dimensions on Reading University Campus test food and drink for companies. They are always after new testers on their database. They normally pay £10 an hour for testers to eat samples and give their feedback. To join their database call 0118 935 7037 or
email testing@sensory dimensions.com RSSL, also on campus, require people on their database to test cosmetics and toiletries, this is paid at an average of £5 a visit. Contact Dawn on 0118 918 4183 or email clinical.science@ rssl.com to register.
TV licence refund If you have paid for an annual TV licence up front and will have 3 full months left at the end of the academic year you can apply for a refund providing the TV will not be used at all before the licence expires. Go to www.tvlicensing. co.uk and fill out the application form for a refund.
TIPS TO ENSURE THE RETURN OF YOUR HOUSING DEPOSIT • Make sure you leave the house and garden clean and tidy (don’t forget the insides of the fridge, freezer, oven and microwave) • Remove all rubbish • Move furniture to original positions • Return all keys • Take photographs and an inventory when you leave • Do not miss your moving out inventory if your landlord or agency have arranged one or you may be charged • If you need to leave personal items in the property get agreement in writing If you do not receive all you money back and think it is unfair contact the scheme your deposit is protected with or come and see an advisor at the Hub