In reply to jamesdavidson:
If its what you want you'll be able to do it!
I work with lots of people who on FE /HE courses who 'want to be MIA's, MIC & Guides', those who really really want it are making it or setting solid foundations, others can barely make it on a practical day. Its not what you want, its what you do!
I was lucky in that
A) I was a climber first so had more than the minimium needed
B) Wife with OK job
C) Simple lifestyle so money could be spent on fuels, guide books and gear
D) Each time I needed the money the right job / contract came up to pay for it, even did loads of volountary work for a charity, they secretly bid for the money for my MIA assessment!!! Really touched by that, would have worked out quicker to get paid, but it was a great gesture.
C) Gave myself a strict timescale to many drift out of it
D) I really, really wanted it and my wife was totaly supportive
"borderline poverty" depends on what you count as rich, tommorrow I shall cycle through frosty country lanes, take a group into the Welsh mountains, cycle back with a full moon to my warm and crazy dog and beautifuly pregnant wife, I am the richest man I know!!
Just consolidating my MIA training was a brilliant experience, money is just one measure of value.