Surviving on low income

Lifestyle Relationships
61

Re: Surviving on low income

What does CNG stand for/mean?

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Re: Surviving on low income

I have to say, anyone who is saying food does not cost much has never done grocery shopping, or at least not recently. The way good prices have risen, people are spending a lot more of their budget on basic food items. Some people won't notice it, some people just find they have to cut back on luxuries a bit, and those already on a lower income will struggle.

So while I understand the views on the first page because it was how I was also brought up, these people are your family and people need to pull together.

So as suggested, eat more modestly (meat less often), eat together (you will find people are more mindful of how much they eat to make sure everyone gets an appropriate share) and suggest to your husband that you need to cut back on luxuries such as buying anything from outside - you can suggest that rather than it be a daily thing, once every week or two weeks you can get some nice things from outside as a treat. Sorry...but the kids sound a bit spoilt to me so I'm sure this will be good for them as well. I wonder if they complain about the food they get to eat in their own homes.

63

Re: Surviving on low income

compressed natural gas

64

Re: Surviving on low income

^^^thank you!

65

Re: Surviving on low income

:)

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Re: Surviving on low income

30 k is what even a good internship programmer can get you ... For a middle class living in this city , you atleast need 50K +

67

Re: Surviving on low income

it looks like you are going through very tough time in your life.

I will completely agree with RAW. In order to increase barakah in home you need to keep in mind following points.

  • keep ba-wadu
  • do sadka according to your capacity. it is promise from Allah that He will return your sadka 10 times more
  • read surah al-waqiah after maghrib or isha

on the same time, i also suggest your husband to get some good job.

you should also keep in mind that rizk is not in our hand, each grain and food is labeled with our name by angel. if you want your name on food then follow above steps or the one RAW suggested in earlier post.

68

Re: Surviving on low income

I see that on here, but arent salaries quite low in pk?

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Re: Surviving on low income

If all these tips don't work out then start adding cream in kheer.

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Re: Surviving on low income

I agree with these posters who say that 30K is very little to survive on. We are talking about issues with basic survival. As the OP says, there are issues with paying rent month to month. This is what 30 K translates to!!

Atta, oil, plain daal, all of these are expensive as heck now.
OP HOW are you surviving on just 30 K? I am quite amazed honestly.

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Re: Surviving on low income

average salary would be less than 20k.....I've seen people with school going kids living under 20k quite comfortably. I think most people here are from burger families, that's why 30k sounds nothing to them.

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Re: Surviving on low income

I'd much rather trust the opinions of those who live in Pakistan at the moment than someone who isn't.

73

Re: Surviving on low income

Ask NomiCA for average income of a household in Pakistan if you don't believe me.

Most guppies here (even those who live in Pakistan) don't even know the life outside Defense and Model Town.

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Re: Surviving on low income

.

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Re: Surviving on low income

Still cannot understand the religious advice being given here, giving the impression the OP is a bad muslim and not praying enough or correctly.

It is crazy talk to suggest poor and financially struggling people are not aware of some sprecial prayers that increase wealth.

76

Re: Surviving on low income

I feel you and your husband need to control your own finances, since clearly your MIL does not seem to be thinking rationally. Have you discussed your financial situation with her? You said you and your husband tried to sit down and budget - why don't you involve your MIL in this too? Keep a budget for everything, and discuss your spending every week, heck every day if it helps her see sense. Also talk about your financial situation when your SIL and BIL are around. Your BIL may just understand your situation..
If this doesn't work, you should just stop handing over the money to your MIL. Maybe start putting some money (not the whole salary) in her bank account so she doesn't have to ask you for money every time..? If you have kids, you can always say that you have their future to think about..
Can you get a job or start doing something from home? I know women who cook and sell packaged lunch to office-going folks - it's a huge enterprise in bombay. Another relative who was struggling financially became an insurance agent. Something to think about..

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Re: Surviving on low income

repeat post.

78

Re: Surviving on low income

Im assuming you live in pakistan.
So these people who live in under 20 K. How much is the rent per month?
How much is the electricity bill?
How much is grocery?
How much is cng etc, or public transport is the way to go?

And what about school fees for children? Or are you saying publlic school systems are in order? Households are running in 20 K? Without any support?

And clothing? Or are second hand clothes the way to go? I am assuming that the cheapest unstitched suit is for 200 rs, not considering fashion or anything. Stitching at the cheapest is 150 per suit? So that is 350 rs for something just to cover your body.

Please give a breakdown.

With the current prices for gas, atta, electricity, heating, I don't understand how this is possible, burgers aside.

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Re: Surviving on low income

Now someone tell me what "burger families" are, people who eat burgers from Mcd's every meal?

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Re: Surviving on low income

We moved to Karachi because of his mother's health. We both graduated last year and he was working as a security officer part time while studying full time. Plan was to move to Karachi for a few months until his mother got better & then move back and look for proper jobs. I regret coming here now. It is tough to find a job anywhere but even a menial job in US would have been better than this. That way i would have been able to help him out too. Living abroad i also never thought twice about the prices of aata or chawal, but now i know the value of these basic things that we take for granted.
We have been looking at different jobs for him ever since we came here. A basic call centre job gets you anywhere between 15000 to 20000 rupees. & that's a full time job we are talking about. I have seen my parents struggle for a few months in the past and I know that just cutting back on food intake helps a lot (even though you wouldn't think it). I always get mad at him when there's Salan at home and they have to make new Salan for guests. My mom always used eik waqt ka khana many times (even when they were very comfortable) but in his house we need new salans everyday. I can't talk to his mom because it's his job and if I say anything I know she will get upset. I am definitely going to start crunching some numbers though and try and force him into putting a stop to all the money being wasted of food!!!