Cheap parents (need advice) :/

[SnowWhitesMaid]

Ok so my family isn't having the best financial strength right now. We manage though and I'm fine with that. I've never been too big of a spender, not into name brands and all that. Anyways recently I've just found the cut backs unfair! Usually I don't mind, I deal with it and move on. Friends and family always out rule a new jacket or shoes.
A few days ago my mom was talking about some coupon she got for getting photos onto canvas, 60% off. We were gonna get it because I love photography and have been wanting one for awhile. It was really cheap and I was super excited... Than my dad said no. Apparently we can't even afford a $30 canvas!!

Another thing is my 8th grade trip next year when I'm in 8th grade, the whole grade gets to go to D.C. for 3 days at the end of the year. I've been looking forward to it since I heard about it a few months ago, I've always wanted to travel! But last night my parents told me we couldnt afford to pay for the trip... I offered to save up on my own but they said the money should go to college. Now when all my friends are riding around and visiting cool new places I'm stuck here like everyday.

Worst is spring break coming up next week. I haven't been out of Michigan for a vacation for over 3 years, and I thought maybe we could go somewhere this year. But no. While everyone else is getting out and visiting the warm, I'm stuck freezing my butt off in 30 degree Michigan.

:/ I'm literally crying right now as I type this and I don't even know why. It's stupid and selfish and I know everyone's got it worse than me in Japan and well everywhere and I probably sound like a big brat right now. I just feel like I never get to do anything or go anywhere or experience new things. I never have new clothes or shoes and I'm sick of it! I just wish sometimes I could have someone else's life..

[justmehere]

no,it's not selfish. but if it helps any i'm in the same situation. i haven't been out of South carolina in god only knows how long. hell i haven't even been out of lexington in forever. we don't go anywhere.

[Bougainvillea]

I can't say I know how you feel. Because I am all over the place. But believe me the eight grade trip is deff not worth the money. I would save that money for better things.

Also, its not just a matter of being able to pay for something. It's about being able to save money, and not waste it on things you don't need. Obviously, they're thinking about the long run. Rather than today.

[Ambrosia]

When I was in 9th grade we went through something like that. Bankrupt, no money, no nothing. My parents both lost their jobs and, if it wasn't for my Tiki, we would have ended up living on the streets. I didn't get anything new, we lived off CHICKEN and ramen noodles and school lunches, I had to ride the bus to school, blah blah blah. You know what, though? I've lived my whole life being told that we can't afford certain things. Trips are expensive. America is in a recession. EVERYONE is turning poor these days. YOU need to take a look at your parents, see how they are struggling. Do you know how much it hurts THEM to not be able to give their child what they need and/or want? Parents want whats best but in some cases they can't give it to them. That's not how they ever intended on your life going. They aren't doing it on purpose, they don't sit in their room at night hoarding over millions of dollars plotting ways to tell you NO when you ask for something and pretending they are broke. Plenty of people are struggling, you're not alone there. And I even got a job to help out here. When my mom finally got a job she put away money for us to go on one vacation, the only one we can afford, and three years later (Last year) We went to Colorado. Do you know how many kids NEVER go on ANY vacations in their lives until they themselves are ADULTS? A lot. That was my second vacation. Ever. I never leave Texas.

*takes a deep breath* You're not being selfish. You just have to acknowledge that it's not their fault. And that they are trying.

I'm sorry. I just get very...passionate about that sort of thing.

[Spook]

Agreed. If your parents are in a bad financial situation, they probably can't afford to pay for those little things. I don't understand why you can't save up yourself...but I have a good idea. Start dividing your money like 10% is save, 10% in spend, 10% in donate, and so on. Talk to your parents about this and maybe you will be able to save up for your school trip if they approve? Good luck! ~Caitlin :D

[lightkun]

I really really REALLY do not want to sound like an asshole, but things could be worse. I mean, at least your not hungry (or at least you haven't mentioned that)
Really, this isn't a huge deal. This is how I live and I say, if it bothers you so bad, learn the value of a dollar by getting a job or doing some work for our parents and neighbors.

[Elenin]

I try to save my parents money by convincing them to avoid buying name brand food and all the unnecessary stuff like magazines. When I (hopefully) live on my own in a few years, I'm going to be a cheapskate. My family's financial situation isn't great, but acceptable. We've gone on a family vacation out of state every year for as long as I can remember. There's always the chance my parents could be unemployed, but the companies my parents work for are hiring, and not firing, which is a good thing.

[tpzy94]

it wont last forever just think about that... and i know what you mean i live in michigan and rick snyder isnt making it any better with the cut backs on students also but just think everything happens for a reason so minds change and who knows in a couple years youll be able to work and support and buy your own stuff...you could even babysit at your age right now

[AutumnDae]

Be thankful that you still have a roof over your head and food in your mouth, really.

My town is extremely small, I've seen kids my age have both their parents lose their job, had to move in with family, quit sports, and find a job to help out.

Honestly, your money will be better spent on college than an 8th grade field trip.

Yeah, it sucks not going on vacations, I've never been on one. But would you rather go somewhere warm for a week, or have your house for another month? Think about it.

[The Madness.]

Stop thinking about what you don't have and think about what you do have. Seriously.

[Nihilus]

Your life seems a lot like mine. I have never been out of California, nor can my family spend money freely. Save up and try, but its not the end of the world. Good luck.

[A.J.]

Its not selfish, your just venting out the stressfullness your feeling. i think we can all relate in this rough economy. 8th grade trip i missed to but my friends said it was gay anyways. Make the most of your springbreak however you can

[Ambrosia]

As a quote from everyone else,

Exactly. Think of what you DO have.

And if you find yourself unable to see the good, slap yourself and snap out of it!!! (:

See, people are poor when they don't have what they NEED (Such as a house, food, and water). But you're doing pretty good if you have what you need just not what you want (I.E, a school trip).

Consider it.

You take a hot shower every night, correct?

Create your own school trip!!! Or. Personal trip. =P Go to the lake! Or pond. Or something.

[INACTIVE_USER]

Be grateful for what you have because you may not appreciate that others have a lot less. Maybe try to reason witht them and ask for one thing - I'm sure if you save you could afford the canvas. After all, it will all be over soon - I hope

[mRojas2000]

I haven't posted anything serious for a while (since like 2008)...
Don't usually come here anymore, but I'll give my two cents, because you really touched me and I kind of relate...
I was born in Venezuela. When I was born my mom was 16 and my dad was 15. My dad went to the U.S. to live in a boarding school and my mom found herself alone and nearly no support from the family... the only one that was taking care of her and helping her grow me was my great grandma... me and my mom lived at my great grandma's for nearly two years until my mom got married, in which to that occasion my grandpa gave her an apartment... her marriage ended up being a disaster, and she found herself at the age of 19 with 2 children to raise... she worked hard, I remember that... we had what we needed and in the children's innocence me and my brother were happy... we had cheap clothes, cheap toys (and not so many), we lived off sandwiches... I barely remember anything from this time... to an extent that my mother told me, when one of our relatives died, that once we didn't have food and me and my brother were asking her why we couldn't eat and that we were hungry, and she couldn't do anything but cry and hug us... minutes later her aunt came to visit us, went to reach for water on the fridge and noticed we didn't have anything to eat... she rushed to the supermarket and bought us food for a month... I still cry when I remember this stuff, even now, and its hard for me to think such a wonderful and altruist person could have died just like that, off cancer. Anyways back to the topic, we were poor... all we had was ourselves and the apartment... my mom was doing her best to get us bread and ham everyday... she was doing all the jobs she could, like gluing concert posters and stuff like around the city. I never realized I was poor, my mom was so wonderful she was able somehow to hide that from me and my little brother.
Things went on and on, we started having a pretty descent life after she started her own party-organizing company... her love towards kids was so big she loved to organize kids parties... she had lots of boyfriends in that period, but it was nearly two years later that she found "the one"... he was half Italian and a very cool guy... it was with him that me and my brother started travelling around and knowing Venezuela. He would take us to amazing places, and we would somehow manage to find new ones... and they were always somehow, VERY CHEAP so we were able to afford them.
Things went on and they started getting bad again. Things in Venezuela weren't good and it was decided to leave... I'd go to the U.S. to live with my aunt for a year and then I'd go live with my mom again but in Italy.
Skipping the year in the U.S. after being spoiled by the American lifestyle it was hard for me to get back to some kind of a lower level. I was having cheap clothes again, and all I had was VT... that's when I started posting in here... I couldn't afford to go to field trips either, and my mom wasn't having any income... we had no savings either. It was sad... I was sad... but I kept on with life, and well, trust me when I tell you that life has it turns, and you may not ever expect them.
I don't think you're being selfish, I just think you're not seeing things from your parent's view... they love you, and whatever they're doing now, they are doing it because of that... they don't want you to get hurt, and all they wish for is the best for you. Just sit back, enjoy your life as much as you can as it is. Be humble. Its all you got. :)
Oh and keep posting your awesome pics :)

P.S. Sorry for the long response...

[Aeroflux17]

Contentment Issue.
Be Contented for what you have.. :)
I know your Parents are trying their best..

[Nancy Boy]

Im stuck in the same predicament. Just...Make the best of it. 2009 hit my family like a brick, and 2 years later we are still recovering..I assure you they are trying their absolute best to give you the best childhood possible. :)

[Niukas]

Dam i thought that my live is crap.