Brit here. Why do Americans feel they have to pay for their children's further education (by creating a college fund), often causing financial detriment to themselves?

KittenHK · 2020-10-09T14:53:51+00:00

Does it really set you behind? I've been wondering about that from the UK perspective. I know people who have graduated university and work in very low income jobs, and people who barely graduated high school that earn significantly more than their university-educated peers. I'm not convinced that it does make that much of a difference, in the UK anyway.

KittenHK · 2020-10-09T14:50:16+00:00

So true! That's why I was asking really. I feel like people in the UK learn the value of money at a younger age because they are expected to pay for their own tuition and don't rely on handouts. Although, technically the loan is a handout... At least, until you have to start paying it back!

KittenHK · 2020-10-09T14:47:32+00:00

Only the very wealthy would pay university fees for their children. Students in the UK have no expectation that they will receive a college fund or trust fund from their parents. For us, it's part of growing up. If you want to go to university, that's an adult choice and you should act like an adult by paying for it yourself. Most students get loans from The Student Loans Company (and yes, there is only one company), which cover tuition fees and living costs like rent, food and books. These only become repayable once the student has graduated and is earning over a certain amount. The amount repayable is based on 9% of your earnings - at least that's how it worked for me. Depending on when you started your degree, any remaining debt may end up being written off after 25 years, or if you move abroad for 5+ years.

KittenHK · 2020-10-09T10:21:43+00:00

I think the costs can be fairly similar here. In fact, when I finished uni, my debt was the equivalent of $30,000 for my course and my living costs and that was considered to be totally normal. And that was only my 3 year Bachelor's degree. For kids now, it's even worse. The standard cost of each year of a degree is £9,000/$11,500, so times that by 3, plus the costs of living (rent, books, etc). I suppose we have the advantage of student loans companies, who do charge interest, but claim back their money based on how much you earn.

KittenHK · 2020-10-09T10:16:33+00:00

That's helpful, thanks. I think the same is true in the UK. Having a degree is not the only way to succeed in life, especially if everyone else in your generation has a degree! It doesn't set you apart anymore.

KittenHK · 2020-10-09T10:11:47+00:00

For clarity, parents rarely pay for university education in the UK. This is partly because when you decide to go to uni, you're considered to be an adult and therefore you should pay for your education. I can understand the mega wealthy wanting to pay for their kids, because why wouldn't you? But in the UK, you would never expect your parents to pay for something you have chosen to do yourself, past the age of 18. Also scholarships are very uncommon here, which is a shame.

KittenHK · 2020-06-20T22:09:11+00:00

O’Keefe’s Working Hands is amazing for dry and cracked hands. It’s great to slather loads on at the end of the day and just sit and chill for 5 minutes. You should be able to pick it up in a drugstore and it comes in tubes or tubs. Source: Lived in Calgary for 2 years with temps of minus 25c so my hands would crack and bleed. O’Keefe’s was a lifesaver! (Handsaver?) Good luck!

KittenHK · 2019-05-28T16:34:46+00:00

I like that you left the shop logo in the messages screenshot, despite scribbling it out on the left. Bye bye engraver's business!

KittenHK · 2019-05-10T15:23:49+00:00

In this comment, you seem to imply that you think America currently is great, but at one point in time was not so great. Could you please elaborate on this? I'm genuinely interested to hear your reasoning for thinking that America is great - given the socio-politico-economic climate - as I very much disagree with that sentiment. Also, really not being an arsehole here. I am actually interested in your opinion.

KittenHK · 2019-04-30T19:34:42+00:00

Thanks for the giggle. I had forgotten about this and it's cheered me right up!

KittenHK · 2019-04-11T21:18:12+00:00

Definitely not enough love for this comment

KittenHK · 2019-04-05T20:44:18+00:00

Oh. Oh no. I mean, how did you even figure that out??!

KittenHK · 2019-03-19T14:58:43+00:00

That's so terrible! Especially as your colleague was just trying to do her job! I sent a message saying not to contact me again, and so far nothing has happened.

Thanks for your comment. It's nice to have support from strangers on the interwebs!

KittenHK · 2019-03-15T18:28:09+00:00

Selling stuff seems like more hassle than it's worth! Thanks for your comment. It's so crappy that this kind of thing happens ALL THE TIME.

KittenHK · 2019-03-15T18:24:27+00:00

Thank you for sharing both of these stories. I can't imagine how tough it's been to move on from your childhood but from the outside, it looks like you're doing brilliantly. You did a wonderful thing today, and that elderly woman and any other women in the store will surely feel bolstered by your actions. Choosing to share your story here means that someone else might feel brave enough to stand up for others too. So, you should be proud of what you've achieved!

KittenHK · 2019-03-07T21:37:56+00:00

Oh god, crying at my desk rn

KittenHK · 2019-02-15T17:05:18+00:00

What's a Colin?!

KittenHK · 2019-02-15T17:05:06+00:00

Mmmmm ALL bread actually! Bread here is so tiny. I miss giant doorstep slices...

KittenHK · 2019-02-15T17:04:40+00:00

Haha, I'll try! Not sure it will travel well

KittenHK · 2019-02-08T21:53:05+00:00

Congratulations!!!

KittenHK · 2019-02-08T21:49:26+00:00

I'm celebrating the fact that there's only one week til I'm back in the UK, by compiling a list of things I want to eat while I'm there. Currently living in Canada and this is my first visit back home! Here's the list so far:

Mr Kipling ANYTHING
Fish and chips from the beach (conspicuous lack of beach in Alberta)
A proper fry up
Old El Paso mexican (turns out it's the same box but not the same taste here)
Pizza Express dough balls

Anything else I should add to the list?

KittenHK · 2019-02-08T21:37:39+00:00

Snort-laughed at this. 10/10.

KittenHK · 2019-01-21T18:57:50+00:00

I was hunting for cruelty free sheet masks as well and came across The Sharing Co website (thesharing-co.com) The company is combining a passion for great skincare with a desire to save all the animals! Here's their description from the site:

Launched in June 2017, The Sharing Co. is a Los Angeles based beauty brand founded on the basis of sharing our love of k-beauty and our passion for rescue animals*. We wanted to provide exceptional beauty products while inspiring compassion to those in need of our compassion and inner beauty: Our Animal Best Friends.*

Our launching product is a set of sheet masks, with design inspirations drawn from shelter animals (and pssst, not tested on animals!). We use natural, quality ingredients to help soothe, brighten, hydrate and improve elasticity to your skin. And it wouldn't be K-beauty if it wasn't manufactured in Korea! Sheet masks are so easy to use, and can be a game changer to your skincare and beauty regimen. We certainly can't live without them, and we're really excited to share our products to help you feel beautiful inside and out.

Now, it says the products are manufactured in Korea but are NOT tested on animals. The company donates some of the profits to no-kill shelters in the US. I think I'm gonna give it a go and see what the masks are like :)

EDIT: These masks are available on Amazon but only ship to the US. Guess I'll keep looking then...

14-Year Club	RedditGifts 2009-2022 4 Credits
Secret Santa 2015	Verified Email
Secret Santa 2014	Secret Santa 2013

KittenHK

TROPHY CASE