Money problem

[starburst21]

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[33girl]

I'm not a ZTA but I wanted to say, cross that bridge when you come to it. By next fall your mom might have a new job making double what she made at her old one.

The important thing is to work with your chapter on a payment plan you can follow comfortably, and then do so, letting them know IMMEDIATELY if you have to miss a payment for some reason. Cut back on the clothes, Starbucks, cell phone bills - especially over breaks and over the summer (that way you won't feel the pressure of other people doing those things around you). It adds up very quickly.

[Tippiechick]

Amy, pm me.

[layla2728]

I'm sure Tippiechick will be of a lot more help to you than I am, but from what I've seen, ZTA does not have the "inactive" option. I had a very hard time this semester paying my dues, and was pretty much given the options of either pay them or get financially expelled. No in-between. You'd have to ask your president or treasurer for sure though. The only person I saw go inactive and then return was someone who had financial problems with the university, so she was no longer a full-time student. Then you can go inactive I think. Hope it works out for you

[ZTAngel]

ZTA does not have an inactive membership status. You're either a member or not a member.

Discuss your money problems with the Treasurer and the President. Hopefully, they can work out a payment plan for you that will make it easier for you to afford to pay dues and keep you as an active member.

[PenguinTrax]

There are several things you can do:

1. Talk to your treasurer and Finance advisor. Work out a payment plan if necessary.

2. Apply for ZTA scholarships and investigate other scholarships that may be available through Alumnae Panhellenic, your chosen profession/major, etc. If you take the time and have the dedication, the money you need to cover tuition, books, etc. is out there - freeing up money for dues, etc.

As ZTAngel said, there is no 'inactive' status, but if you do find that you will need to leave the chapter for financial reasons, apply for early alumna status. That way you are still considered a member in good standing. You can attend alumnae events, continue to receive Themis and in the event your financial situation improves, reaffiliate as a collegiate chapter member.

[FSUZeta]

what ztangel said !!prioritize. is your membership more or less important than the latest fashion trend? is is more important to go out to a big meal at a restaurant than go in with a group of friends on a pizza? start working on a budget with such catagories as tuition, books, rent, meals, zta dues, car payment, car insurance, cell phone, miscellaneous. fit the catagories to your needs listing the things that HAVE to be paid. for instance, you have to pay your tuition, books and lab fees(if you have them). those should go first. unless you go to school in your hometown, and can live at home, you will have living expenses. that should go next.it is often cheaper to live at the sorority house. it may seem like it costs more, because your meal plan is usually a monthly lump sum, so the figure seems big, but usually amortized out you are paying way less for food than if you were eating out. do you really need your car? obviously, if you work and need transportation to your job, you need a car. if it is just used for pleasure, maybe that could be an expense you could cut. believe it or not, there are college students who do not have a car at school(i survived 3 years without one myself). since most of us have enough clothes(shoes included) that we don't have to wear the same outfit consecutive days, clothes and shoes could go into the misc. catagory, along with entertainment(movies, concerts, cds, dvds, bowling, etc.). sorority t-shirts could also go into misc. if they are being purchased as a souvenir. if they are a requirment for recruitment, then they would not be in the misc. catagory as would any other clothes required for recruitment. while this is a broad overview of how to make a budget, you will get the idea. i believe that if you drop your membership, you will regret it in years to come. good luck to you.

[starburst21]

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[FSUZeta]

you sound like a girl who really has it all together. best wishes that everything works out for you. lisa

ps: i hope you have as much fun living in the house as i did.