Loveday Writing

Pocket Money

When I was seventeen years old, I got my first regular casual job at Woolworths. I worked as a service cashier or “check out chick” after school, on weekends and during the holidays. I got the job because I wanted financial independence and felt I was too old to be getting pocket money off my parents.

Six years on I have since quit my job, moved away to study at uni and established my own freelance writing business, where I am now doing what I love from home. I now live off youth allowance and the income I get from freelance work, which isn’t much. I have been living at student accommodation for the entire duration of my studies and my parents pay most of my rent. I feel bad because I am a grown woman and I feel I should be standing on my own two feet, that being said I am at least able to pay for anything else I need or want.

As much as I love being an adult and being almost-independent, there are times I miss my parents being financially responsible for me. I remember growing up that although I didn’t necessarily have the most regular pocket money, if I really wanted it, I would get it, but it wouldn’t be much, it would be within reason. My parents always emphasised the importance of the value of a dollar, how to stretch a dollar, and saving up for anything we wanted ourselves to my brother, Nathan and I. When I was seven and Nathan, 11, we bought a Gameboy by lay-by with our pocket money. It took us ages to pay it off, because of that we were so happy to get it out of lay-by, we always shared it, took care of it and played Tetris and a 5-in-1 variety game on it. Sixteen years on, I have it in my bedroom and occasionally play it.

Growing up I always loved getting presents on Easter, Christmas and my birthday. It’s not that I never appreciated the sentiments behind these occasions but I did love the presents as well, because of course I could never buy them for myself because I didn’t have any money. I always had a wish list a mile long. Now I hate being asked what I want for Easter, Christmas and my birthday because I can now buy things for myself.

Next year after I graduate I will be moving into a flat for the first time, on my own, which means I will be spending the next twelve months saving up to pay for bonds, furniture, water, electricity, gas, etc. I constantly make the joke that I wish that rent and houses could be as cheap as they are in Monopoly. Sigh, if only I could be a Monopolitan girl!

I’m sure I will be fine, my parents taught me how to manage money well.