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The burden of extended family

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The expectation that when you work you have to "give back" to your family, is putting huge pressure on our finances, says Fin24 user Terina M.

In response to another user's struggle to come to grips with her debt situation, Terina says she is also in debt, although it's manageable.

She writes: "I am young and we just had our first born, but life has not been smooth for my family.

"My husband is the bread winner in his family, who is forcing us to first take care of his siblings and in so doing, we have been neglecting our own responsibilities and have now ended up in debt.

"In an African family the perception is that when you work you have to "give back" to your family, which puts so much pressure on your financial life.

"We have given so much and in turn has gained much more debt. At the moment our debt is around R200 000, which is far beyond our means.

"I am also taking steps to get out of debt and my husband is also keen to do so. It's hard...  very hard, paying your car, rent, food, extended families... it all get too much."

- Fin24

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