Personal Stories

I Live Paycheck To Paycheck But I’m Grateful For What Little I Have

I know it sounds strange, but it’s the truth. My parents aren’t well off, so I decided to further my studies in hopes of ‘changing my stars.’ And while I knew studying would be costly, I figured I could take a loan and repay it once I landed a well-paying job. But reality hit once I started working. Even with a diploma, my salary wasn’t much. Every time payday came around, I would immediately set aside money for essentials: rent, transport, electricity, mobile data. Whatever was left was used to buy groceries. Most days, I cook simple meals: stir-fried veggies, eggs, tofu and tempeh. Not because I’m trying to be healthy, but because that’s what I can afford. And after covering all the basics, there would be hardly anything left. So, I have no streaming subscriptions, no gym memberships, and I rarely use ride-hailing apps. Everything is on a tight budget. One time, I had just a bit of money left in my wallet and had to choose between dinner or the bus. I chose to walk home instead, just so I could have a better meal. The funny thing is, when my friends talk about spending, I often feel like the “poorest” one. But oddly, I am also the calmest. I have no space to be impulsive. My lifestyle is minimal, but from that, I’ve learned a lot about how to survive, how to budget, how to appreciate the little things, and most importantly, how to stay thankful. That doesn’t mean I’ve given up. I’m still working on improving my situation. I’ve taken on small freelance gigs, joined free workshops, and I am actively applying for better paying jobs. Life may feel tight now, but I believe a financially independent future is something I am working towards. I know I deserve better. But I’ve also learned not to resent the life I have now. Because despite all the limitations, I can still wake up in the morning, brew a sachet of instant coffee, and laugh at memes with my friends on free chat apps. Turns out, happiness isn’t about having everything. It’s about finding contentment and holding on to hope. And while my life now may be far from ideal, I know I am on the path to something better. This article is part of TSS Confessions, a weekly column where we delve into personal finance topics that are unscripted and genuine real accounts from people.