I am self-employed in Trondheim. I mainly earn money from music assignments, concerts and collaborations. It provides unpredictable income. One month I can earn much above average and feel “rich”. Next month I can earn less than I have to pay for living and feel inadequate.
If I see big numbers in my account, I immediately think of everything I want to spend this money on, before I have to take the plunge. After paying all bills with upcoming due dates, it’s easy to think that the remaining amount is money left over. For many it may be just that, but for me, who does not know when the next payment will come, and how much it will be, it requires extra structure.
To save money, I try to shop as cheaply as possible. I am a customer member in all stores to get discounts, and check the offer app daily which shows which grocery stores have offers now. I often find clothes and make-up on sale in stores. If not, I find discount codes I can use online for the same products.
I buy bus tickets when I get a larger amount into my account. These times I also transfer extra money to my credit card, which I only use in the months when my finances are insufficient.
As a five-year-old, Erika (22) slept in a bucket: – It is taboo to struggle financially
Credit cards are something my parents have always warned me against, but which has been vital to me. In months when I have little money, I often have to use a credit card to buy food and other necessary things. A rule I have for myself is that the credit card should only be used for food and necessary things, and never for shopping.
Happiness and joy cannot be bought. Nevertheless, having little money can be an obstacle for you who want to be part of a community. I myself have experienced feeling like an outsider due to little money. A friend of mine invited me to a birthday dinner, where everyone had to pay for their own food. It was at the Britannia, so not exactly the cheapest place to eat. I didn’t have money to eat out, but of course I wanted to be there to celebrate my friend’s birthday. When everyone sat around the table and talked about the menu, I was very aware that I didn’t fit in. I ended up secretly sending a message to someone to borrow money, because I was ashamed of sitting there without food.
I think families with school-age children in particular can feel alienated as a result of economic differences. I myself remember that these differences were evident both during the school day and after. Some students got a new school bag every term, with a new pencil case and new book covers. Others went with the same backpack throughout elementary school. During the lunch break, there was always someone with a more lucrative lunch package than the others. Some often had no food at all.
You could see those who loved to play soccer at recess but never attended practices and games after school because it cost money. Some children celebrated their birthdays at Lekeland, Pirbadet or Gokart. Others celebrated it at home every year. When it came to what we got as a birthday or Christmas present, there was always someone who backed away.
Huge increase in people offering help for Christmas
As an adult, I would not say that using the same rucksack as last year, having a slice of bread with salami in the lunchbox or celebrating a birthday at home, says something about the finances of a person or family. However, it can be experienced differently for school pupils.
When some parents glorify ordinary things such as food, clothes and school supplies, a cultural divide will form. Children who have less can feel left out.
My experience is that the most important thing needed to help people with bad advice is openness.
With openness, we reduce shame, show each other that no one is alone, and contribute to a greater understanding of people in different situations. Openness is also important when it comes to children, so that they can learn to accept differences early on, both in themselves and in other people.
Parents can encourage their children to come up with things that don’t cost money, and avoid sending their children to school wearing the most expensive designer clothes on the market.
If I had chosen to only share my life during the times when I have a lot of money in my account, I would not have felt like a good role model for young people. Yes, it’s fun to get to work with what I’ve always dreamed of, but the truth is that it’s not as luxurious as many might think it is.
We can all become more aware of the choices we make, and especially how we want to present ourselves to the outside world.
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