How do 9X (youth born in the 1990s) spend money? Nguyen Manh Viet, Nguyen Thu Hang and NNL, three students from Hanoi, give the answer.

Nguyen Manh Viet

Sometimes I have to spend both my own money and the money I get from parents for an event. For example, ½ of the money needed to organise my birthday party is my savings money, because my parents would not give so much.

I always beg for money from my mother. My mother is generous, but before giving me money, she always asks me what I will spend it on.

My principle in spending money is that I only buy necessary things and spend within my financial capability. I will borrow money to buy the things I need, but I will only do that if I can be sure that I can pay the money back.

Before buying something, I always ask myself: “If I buy these things, how long will I be short of money and when will I be able to offset the money?”

Meanwhile, my friends have their own principles. They can spend 1.2 million at one time to buy a pair of shoes, while I will spend 300,000 at maximum for shoes.

My friends’ parents never ask their children what they need money for. Maybe they are too rich and too busy to care about that.

Sometimes, when we gather for chatting, my friends criticise me. They say I am stingy because I use imitation goods. However, I think I should not spend too much money when I am just a student.

NNL from Nhan Chinh High School: I’m always out of pocket money

My parents give me money regularly, but I always spend a lot of money, therefore, I’m always out. Every month, I get 500,000 from my parents, but I always have to borrow money to satisfy my needs.

I have to spend money on ‘love fees’, mobile phone, parties with friends and birthday parties.

As I cannot ask for more money from my parents, I have to borrow from my friends, which proves to be the only choice. When I get money from parents for the next month, I pay debts, and then I borrow again.

I sometimes think that I have to adjust my spending in order to avoid borrowing money. However, this has become my habit.

One time, I stole 1 million dong from my mother’s wallet. When my mother discovered my stealing, she took everything from me, including my mobile phone.

Nguyen Thu Hang, student of 11B15 Class of Le Quy Don High School in Hai Phong city: My parents give me money regularly, even when I do not ask

Nguyen Thu Hang

Now I can earn my own money by writing stories for some newspapers, but my mother still gives me money, even when I do not ask for.

My parents never ask me what I spend money on, but they always remind me that I need to practice thrift and spend money within my capability.

I have been trying to spend money in a reasonable way so that my needs are satisfied.

My friends’ conditions are different. Some only get 5,000 a day for breakfast, while others are given millions dong a month.

Cam Quyen