My father’s unemployed, my mom’s broke and I don’t have money and am stressed
My mom’s is the only breadwinner of the family. My father is unemployed for many months already. Hes the type that will work for a few weeks then quit for lamest reasons.
I’m nw in my sec year of poly and i’m 22. I feel that it’s also my fault cos I don’t save money cos I suck at it. I’m a spend thrift as I mostly spend on food.
I always wanted to put aside my money in a money binder thing but I don’t seem to do it. With just my mom working, I receive an allowance of $250 every month.
Honestly speaking i don’t find it sufficient as food in poly is ex + transportation even tho I use student card. Initially I wanted to work during the term break, but cos my gpa was not good my mother forbid me from working and told me to focus on my studies instead.
Tbh idk how my fam and I are going to survive till 2 more weeks. My mom’s salary will oni be at the end of the month. And schools starting next week and i’m very stressed at this point of time.
My timetable is also not flexible as most of my classes start at 9 and ends at 6. One of my friend recently received a scholarship money of $5k.
I actually wanted to ask her for $30 for the week and pay her once I get my allowance at the end of the month but I damn paiseh to ask her as i’m afraid it will strain the relationship between me and her. I honestly have no idea what to do.
Sorry if it’s unorganized I have a lot going on in my head but thanks for reading guys!
Netizens’ comments
- Every poly has its own financial assistance scheme. Talk to your school’s student affairs department.
Also, explore working on weekends since your timetable is inflexible. Tons of F&Bs hiring, and usually weekend rates higher. Start with joints like Starbucks, Subway, Coffee Bean etc
If you feel you’re academically competent, you can also give tuition to primary school or sec school kids, or even your year 1 juniors.
Also, start looking for internships. Don’t wait till final year. Internship gives you headstart in your professional career. Helps to raise your pay earlier than your peers.
OP, I know it’s very stressful for you now. I’ve been though your situation. I had to start supporting myself financially at the age of 17. What you have to do is to focus on solution. Brooding over the problems will only give you anxiety, the problems won’t go away on their own.
Hang in there. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Ganbatte! - Your friend earned her $5k scholarship but your first thought is to borrow $30 instead of thinking about how to make $30? Among students, I don’t believe none of your friends/classmates got no lobang for part-time jobs. Plenty of ad-hoc jobs cash pay if you bother to search on gumtree, telegram, facebook groups etc. Banquet job these days will fetch you 10-12 per hour min, with each shift usually lasting 5-6 hours, that’s double your $30. Even tutoring primary school kids will fetch you 15-25 per hour (probably more now).
Let’s say your classes are 9-6 every day (which I highly doubt), and you need to study or whatnot at night (doubt you spent your entire term break or free time studying either), you are still left with 2 full days on the weekends to either do something useful (or look for someone else to borrow $30 from).
Also, every poly course will have a course coordinator/counselor, so seek help from them.
You are 22, not 12. If you really empathize with your mom, then between adding on or lightening her load, the choice is very clear.