A Swansea University student has had to work two jobs on top of doing her degree to save enough money during the cost of living crisis. Olivia Wray, 21, works part time in Pebbles nursery in Townhill and Bishopton along with a cash-in-hand job doing laundry found from an online ad.
The second-year sociology student’s average weekly spend goes on rent, food, toiletries and public transport with her social life being "non-existent" due to bars and pubs' "extortionate" prices. Olivia, whose mental health has "declined" since not being as regularly able to socialise on nights out with friends, started at Pebbles in October 2022 and works up to 40 hours a week at both sites. For the latest Swansea news sign up to our newsletter here.
She started her laundry job in September 2023 due to soaring rent prices and does this up to twice a week. “I spend most of my time at work or university. My time-management is stressful because of less study time for my exams, but without working two jobs I’ll be skint.
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“In first year I was clubbing at least three times a week but I rarely go out now. A cocktail and baby Guinness are great but not worth breaking your bank for.” Olivia’s average weekly spend on food is £70 from Iceland which us seen as an "affordable" option which can be delivered. Olivia said although her cash-in-hand job is tax-free most of this money is used on black cabs as transportation to work, due to unreliable bus routes, and takeaways. “I understand that there are alternatives to me overspending on takeaways like fakeaways and meal preps but when you’re overworked and drained from studying in the heat of the moment it’s such an accessible option which doesn’t benefit me in the long run,” she said.
The London-born "super-student" said her sociology course knowledge has helped her understand how the cost of living crisis is affecting Swansea as a city. As someone who is studying the subject of culture capital within her degree Olivia described the difference of communities at the nursery in Townhill and Bishopton, which are a matter of miles away from each other, as very different.
“The socio-economic situation for the majority of Townhill families is an unusual sight for members of Bishopton community, where [parents in] Range Rovers drive the kids to school and children often stay in childcare until 6pm. Parents work hard in both areas. On one side they're managing the family business to upgrade the family car while another works shifts to keep the fridge full.”
Olivia defined her circumstances as "stressful but not upsetting" and said she was eager for more awareness for tips and tricks as a student trying not to overspend during this time. “I know I am not alone in this situation. A lot of students can relate to the struggle of the cost of living crisis. I just hope the expense of studying doesn’t deter people from going to university.”
