CAN WE AFFORD IT? About Money and Spending Pocket Money? Job? Stipend? Clothes Allowance? What are the sources of your income? Do you BUY that T-shirt or do you SAVE the money? Can you decide about your money? Do you know how much you spend in a week? What do you spend your money on? Do you actually know how much money you have?
Introduce yourself: Nicholas (14) wants to become a computer programmer. “I spend a lot of time in front of my computer inventing computer games. That’s what I like most. Then my friends come over and we test the new game. If it works I write about it for a computer magazine. I am also a judoka; I have just passed my brown belt test. My parents do not give me any pocket money, but I earn some money on my own. On Wednesdays I give judo lessons to young children and on Fridays I deliver advertisement leaflets in my village. Most of the money I earn goes towards my computer stuff; there is so much to buy!”
Emma is 13 years old and would like to become a jeweller. She would like to travel a lot. “I buy a lot of books and magazines about foreign countries. I get inspiration for my jewellery from them. My uncle who is a jeweller taught me how to make simple costume jewellery like necklaces, bracelets, or rings. I enjoy making them and then I sell them to my friends at school. Sometimes even my neighbours come to buy something from me.”
Julia (14) wants to be a nurse. “I like to look cool. Unfortunately, my parents can give me only a small sum pocket money, as we are a large family. I save all the money and buy my clothes from the markets where I can find fancy and cheap clothes. Sometimes my older sisters pass on some clothing and accessories that they do not like anymore. As long as they look good I do not mind. I am looking forward to earning my own salary and being independent.”
André who is 14 years old is a DJ in a youth club. “Twice a month I play music in the club and often spend a lot of time making my own music mix. To get some money, I also work in the shop where my mother works. With the money I earn, I buy the latest CDs and all sorts of music accessories.”
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