hi sam i need money for some a school trip i am struggling to get some as my mom is short on money and she needs the little she has to feed us and pay the bills.
do u have an idea of how i could save some or get some.
Hi there,
Thanks for your letter.
It can feel really hard when we dont have money to buy the things we want. I can hear that you feel you're missing out on things because your mum doesnt have much money available after food and bills.
You said that you need some money for a school trip. Im wondering if you have talked to your mum about this and if this is something she can afford. If your mum feels she really doesnt have enough money for the trip, it might be worth talking to a teacher at school to explain your situation to see if there is anything they can do to help. Often schools can come to an arrangement where the trip costs less money, so you dont miss out on an opportunity to go somewhere.
Saving money can feel really hard when there isnt much available, but even just saving a small amount each week can soon add up. For some people it might be about making choices about whether you spend your money on something small, or save it up for something bigger. Some people really enjoy seeing the money build up, and this can be an incentive for you to save more. You can either save this at home or in a bank account where your money will be safe and you can also earn interest. You could talk to your mum or an adult you trust about opening a bank account in your local bank. There are usually special accounts for young people which will help you save your money for the things you want.
Getting a job is a great way to earn some money, but there are restrictions on when you can work if you are under 16. This can make getting a job harder, but the rules are there to make sure you're safe. You might want to also think of some ways you could earn some money at home. One way would be to do some jobs around the house either for your mum, family or family friends you trust. It would be a good idea to ask for your mums permission before asking anyone else. It might be you could agree with them a small payment for doing some jobs which you could then save up for buying clothes or something else youd like to buy.
It can be really hard to feel like you are missing out on things, so if youd like to talk your feelings through or get some ideas for saving money, ChildLine counsellors will be here to support you. You can log on for a 1-2-1 chat, send an email or call on 0800 1111.
Take care
Sam
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
You can ask me about anything you want, there's nothing too big or small. I read every single letter but I can only answer a few each week. My replies are published here on my page.
