by sbouboux

I thought I would talk about this because I’m sure people will be wondering how I am able to survive or how I could have money. As I said earlier I don’t have a job. 

My dad works so hard and relentlessly everyday to make sure that we are supported. He travels all over the country (back at home) trying to make his business succeed. And most of that money he earns he sends to either me or my brother’s. If it were not for him I really don’t know where I would be. He has not once complained about it or said he doesn’t want anything to do with us anymore.

He is my role model and I look up to him greatly.

The amount of money I have spent through out this time has been ridiculous. I’m not going to say what it is because you will think I am insane, let’s just say it’s enough to buy a car. But when you look at it I haven’t really bought anything. The money has gone towards hotel bills. It seems like hotels are affordable but that’s when you are staying a few days like on holiday. I would stay for weeks at a time and these were not posh hotels at all. One of them was the most horrible you could imagine. (more on that later)

In London the cheapest hotels you can get are £70 a night for a double room and that’s if the people are being nice, usually it is higher than that.

So we would be spending that kind of money either at hotels or short stay apartments.

Then you put in the cost of food and toiletries. I don’t buy a lot of clothes only essentials when I need them like a new winter coat, boots, shirts and underwear so the money does not really go there. 

You might say :Oh, but you don’t have to pay bills or taxes.  Yeah it’s true I don’t and that is not a luxury or a good thing in fact I wish I could pay taxes and bills, be responsible for myself and take pride in owning something and giving back to my government. 

The last time we got a bit of money was in April and we have about £40 left. We are hoping that dad can send some more but at this point I don’t even care anymore as the cash does nothing. It is not enough to solve my problems, I am grateful for it but really it changes nothing, just a plaster* for an amputation.

That money we recieved has gone towards the payment of things around the house. 

It is my obligation to contribute at wherever I am staying, to pay for food if I can or chip in for the electricity. Anything I can do so they won’t have a reason to kick me out. That is why it was surprising when all the other people we had stayed with told us to leave because for the most part we were paying for all the food and I would try to eat maybe 1 meal a day so they would not think I was eating all their food. But it never worked, I could never truly know what made those “friends” dislike our presence so much but I have no grudge or anger toward them. I don’t speak to them any more. 

But I am not lacking in anything at the moment. When I came here all I needed was somewhere to lie down even on the couch I would have been happy but these people opened up their home to me and they have tried to make ME feel comfortable and are always worried. No one has ever been so nice to me before.

Anyway I just wanted to clear that out of the way so I do not have to mention it again. Have a good day.

-Homeless Girl

* Band aid for all you yanks out there.