Hi. My family is really poor, but we live in a rich town. I look around me and see big homes and designer clothing. I can't afford anything! I have one outfit that I wear just about everyday, because I can't afford clothes. I would get a job, but I'm not old enough! I try to go to the second hand shops, but there is really nothing for me. I can't do things I love to do, like take dance class and voice. I watch my brother four days a week from 3:00-8:00, so I really don't have friends. What can I do?
It is hard to be poor in a materialistic world. Everything revolves around money. Even though your family may not have money for things like clothes and classes, be thankful that you have each other. To jazz up your look, try wearing your hair in different ways or go to Wal-Mart and purchase a cheap bandana. If you practice singing on your own and dancing in front of your mirror you will improve on those skills also. Hope I helped! --Posted by cheer_cherry08 10:31AM EST 03/30/04
Hi there hun! I love your story! It's an inspiration to give more to my community! I love to dance and sing too! What you need to do is practice to the radio and stuff so that when you are old enough to try out or to go to dance classes you will be good. I have made up many dances and my friends think I should go to a dance class, but I don't have that much money either! Stay in contact! --Posted by stephylu 10:31AM EST 03/30/04
It's hard not being like everyone else around you. But there are ways that you are able to do the things that you enjoy doing. Try getting scholarships to take dance classes or voice lessons. Most companies will support you if you are serious about what you want to do. And just because you have to watch your brother every day doesn't mean you can't have friends. Try making friends at school and invite them over. And if you are embarrassed about where you live, the friends you make if they are true friends they won't care where you live or what your family is like. --Posted by beckha_ho 10:31AM EST 03/30/04
I think maybe you should discuss your feelings with your parents. Maybe ask your parents for a break now and then with the babysitting. --Posted by skitzo989 10:31AM EST 03/30/04
Okay, I totally know what it's like to be poor. But I also know that having money doesn't make life that great (believe me, I would know). Honestly, I know a lot of poor people that are a heck of a lot happier than my friends and I. So just remember, even if they look like they have everything, they probably don't. --Posted by hopnqueen 10:31AM EST 03/30/04
You really need to stop thinking about money, and become more creative. I'm about...just like you. My family doesn't have very much money at all, and can't afford much. We live in a big city, but kind of in a middle class neighborhood. Anyways, you need to become more creative. Think of how you can make clothes, or raise money to buy clothes by walking dogs, baby-sitting (since you have experience), mowing lawns, cleaning and so forth. You don't need to be a certain age to do that. You can always be creative, and try out new things. And for the friends, you can always make an effort to make new ones. I had to, because I just moved here. But, I think you get what I mean. You can always invite someone over to hang out with you while you're baby-sitting that little bro of yours. --Posted by LiLkAtEy1219 10:31AM EST 03/30/04
Hi. My advice to you would be to get involved at school. Join the SCA, a club or sport. That is a guarantee to make friends. And with the style issue I'd wear the best looking fake that I could. Girl, no one will tell the difference. And even if your clothes are totally off the rack just try to jazz it up as much as possible. Make a deal with your parents to get $3 a week for watching your sibling, that's not too much to ask. So by the end of the month you should have $12, which is enough to find a sassy shirt at a flea market or thrift store. And no matter what, wear those clothes with pride and be confident when talking to your peers because, no matter how much money you have, you can still be a totally divafied girl! --Posted by LuvableBabe143 10:31AM EST 03/30/04
Don't worry you are not the only one. There are others who feel the same way you do. I only have 2 pairs of jeans and about 3 shirts. I'm poor also but you can find ways to make friends. Interact more at school. If that doesn't work, then while you babysit your brother take a walk in the park and see if there is anyone there to talk to. If you can't find anybody to talk to, you can count on me. I'm going through the same situation you are. I hope I helped some. Good Luck! --Posted by sambaby89 10:31AM EST 03/30/04
You could start a babysitting program. I'm sure you have some friends and you can ask them if they wanna join in on it and you can hand out flyers and babysit for other families while babysitting your younger sibling! And that will give you a little extra cash so you can either buy the clothing you prefer or you can save it all up for dance lessons or something you're really interested in. I hope you find my idea helpful. Toodles. --Posted by Shann330 10:31AM EST 03/30/04
I've had a similar problem too, but not because my family was financially troubled. I always got hand-me-down clothes, and therefore usually had only a few clothing articles that I had to wear very often because my mother would say, "Your sister has all the clothes you'll need." My advice is to add things to your outfit. Have a bracelet? If you wear it, it could completely morph your outfit. Have an ugly-as-hell scarf hanging in your mom's closet? Tie it around your waist or in your hair, and I bet it looks way better on you than on a hanger. Or, if you have a few dollars to spare, go to a thrift store (like you did already), but don't think, "What looks good on me"? Think, "What could I CHANGE to look good on me"? Dyes, pins, scarves, hair bands and maybe a little cut or tear here or there are at the very least inexpensive. Use them for your disposal, and have fun in the process! Your clothing problems will be no more. --Posted by ruby_sky 10:31AM EST 03/30/04
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