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Money Problems

I'm 11 and neatly evryone in my year group has a phone. My family is pretty poor and we have money problems. I really want a phone and am searching for cheap ones but... no. There are some cheap ones but you know... I really wanna fit in with a good expensive brand new phone. I've been thinking about getting a part time job but you have to be 13 so I can't. I'm really responsible though. Please help me!


Phone Wanter

Ask Sam


Hi there,

Thanks for writing to me. Money problems can happen to anyone, but can feel particularly hard when they stop us from doing or having things that everyone around us seems to take for granted.

I can hear how important it feels to have an expensive brand new phone, but something to think about is that people who really value us dont judge us based on what we own. It would be wrong of anyone in your year group to treat you differently over what phone you have. It could be helpful to think about the other ways that you could keep in touch with people, such as emailing them or talking online.

Perhaps you could talk to your family about how youre feeling and let them know how much youd really like to have one of the phones youve talked about. That way maybe you could explore with them whether its possible for a few members of the family to all put money towards a new phone for you when it gets to a special occasion - like you birthday, for example.

Youve said you cant get a job, which is true as you need to be a little older first  but theres no law saying you cant do odd jobs for family or neighbours. You could talk to your family to see if there are safe ways to make money around your neighbourhood doing things like washing cars or mowing lawns.

You can always chat with a ChildLine counsellor to get more support by calling for free on 0800 1111, logging on for a 1-2-1 chat or sending an email. You might also want to have a look at our page that offers some more information on Money and jobs.

Take care,

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