Sacrifice

For the past month, I have been working for my family at our bakery. They were short on people as many workers took time off to visit their home country. When initially faced with this crisis, my aunty wasn't sure what to do. She had some hopes that other girls would step up to help and she would someone magically schedule everyone to fill up the gaps. But my dear mother simply said, "I'll tell Sophia to work." And that was it. 

I honestly didn't mind that I was working 6 days a week. It got me out of the house and I was working, which I had given up hope on because of the constant rejection. The only thing I regret is that my shift is always in the middle of the day and by the end I would be too tired to consider going out. So my social life took a backseat (amazingly enough, I still managed to see Karen at least once a week).

When I got my pay it would go straight to the bank. I've been saving up for a while now but it's still a small amount. I live off my youth allowance which pays for my necessities (like transportation, dental and phone bills) and for food and clothes. So after a month, it was nice to see how much I've saved up. It wasn't much, but it's still something. 

Now that I'm back in university, I am officially dependent on my youth allowance again. However, to make the most of it, I have decided that my new goal is to send only $10 a day, which includes transportation. That's right. Only $10. 

I didn't magically decide that $10 was my goal. The number arose after some calculations I made regarding my necessities in consideration to my youth allowance, which would allow me to save $5 a day. Therefore, with this goal, I will essentially be living on $4 a day as $6 would go to public transport. 

I'm looking forward to the challenge that this will present. Although I will be living on $10 a day, I know that exceptions will be made when I'm with my friends or need something. I am aiming to cut out everything else and to be mindful of my money.

The money that I save up will be used for one purpose only. My trip to Vietnam with Tuyen,  JP and Alyssa. We've planned this trip since high school. Some concessions had to be made because my graduation ceremony will be in December so I won't be able to tour the rest of Asia with them. But Vietnam is my main priority. I miss my family and can't wait to surprise them with an unannounced visit. 

I've been living on $10 for a week now and so far, it's been successful. I just hope that this can last till the end of the year.