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dollars that day to spend. He would make a calculation on what we are spending on and how much we have left so that we will not overshoot that budget.

Involve Your Kid
Mum was a babysitter. While she did the house chores, I helped out keeping an eye on the babe while I had another eye on my schoolwork. When she looked after my baby cousin, I did the graveyard shift carrying my cousin as I dozed until she tired of fretting and slept soundly. Years later when I had my own sleepless machine, I did not suffer as much as other mothers would and my son felt safe outside his mother's womb.

Seek Help
Because of my thrifty ways in the past, even though I do not have a job now, I do not need to seek financial assistance, beg, steal or borrow. However, if there does come such a time, there are many venues of help. Some communities issue food coupons, have garage and barter shops where you could sell your craft at. You could also approach local agencies to match you up with appropriate second or third jobs that you can work from home while you oversee your children doing their homework. There are also subsidies for single parents and their kids at some camps where you can have a much needed cheap and short family holiday.

Be Thankful
I used to be proud and insist on paying my share in everything, even my friends'. Now, I just thank my friends sincerely who want to share their blessings with me. You will be surprised at how God would take care of your bills and your needs!
Being poor opens many doors doors of friendship, wisdom, good choices, delayed gratification, patience, long suffering and these have been known since Old Testament Times to be good character-building traits. Just remember that where there is a will, there is always a way out of our miseries and that includes making ends meet. Just keep positive, stop worrying and you will see blessings coming from above!

Learn more about this author, Lokemun Magar.
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