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It's just all about pay, pay, pay...

Fin24 user Avian Bell, a matriculant who says he was fortunate enough to get a good job right out of high school, is already lamenting the cost of living.

In his response to the latest petrol price increase, he asks:"How does the government expect anyone to live a healthy lifestyle, when all we do is pay, pay, pay?"

Bell says he literally sees his salary disappear right before his eyes. He gives a breakdown of his costs as an 18-year-old for the month of January:

* "I've spent just short of R4 500 on petrol. (My job requires me to be on the road most of the time.)
* I've already been billed +R650 on etolls.
* +/-R600 on cellphone costs. (My job requires a lot of talking time.)
* And finally +/- R2 000 on insurance (I'm 18 and drive a car).

"This all gives a grand total of: +/- R7 750 and I'm only just out of high school.

"I knew working and fending for myself wasn't going to be a walk in the park, but come on! I'm lucky to work for an amazing company that loves to employ young, enthusiastic workers who want to get a decent salary and gain great experience.

"But, honestly, where do we win? We've been taught our whole lives not to get credit cards and not to fall into a debt trap. I ask how?

"I already sound like an old bag of bones but who can blame me?"

- Fin24

Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyFin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.

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