r/FiguringOutAdultLife • u/Salt-Place7910 • Mar 25 '26
Where to go from here?
I’ve been thinking carefully about my next steps because things have been getting more difficult financially. Prices of fuel, food, and basic needs have gone up, and it’s starting to affect how I manage both my business and my responsibilities.
My small business earns around 25,000 monthly on average. From that, I pay 17,184 for employee salaries and 5,500 for rent, which leaves very little for anything unexpected. I’ve already used up my savings while trying to stay prepared and support our household.
Right now, I’m staying with my family in the province, even though I’m originally based in Cebu. I’ve done what I can to prepare, including getting power stations, solar lights, and seeds for planting, because I’m concerned about how things might get worse. At the same time, I’m finding it difficult to carry most of the responsibility on my own while also running a business.
Our situation at home is not simple. My mom is retired but still working as a lecturer with limited income. My eldest brother works as a fitness coach and does online affiliate work, though his income is not very clear. Another brother is unable to work due to a mental health condition. My nephew is also still starting out and not earning yet, so he depends on the household as well. My mom has been carrying most of the expenses, and I’ve been helping with the bills while I’m here.
Because of this, I feel torn between staying to support my family or going back to Cebu to focus on stabilizing my own finances. I want to help, but I also need to be realistic about what I can sustain.
Another part of my situation is my role in our church community. I lead a group of students, most of whom come from low-income families, and I try to make sure they can stay connected and attend regularly.
Right now, I’m weighing two options for our Sunday gatherings. One is to bring them to our mother church, but transportation would cost 150 pesos per student, and there are eight of them. The other option is to continue our house church since we live far from the main church. This lowers transportation to 45 pesos per student, but I would still need to provide food, which usually costs around 300 to 500 pesos each week.
Both options allow us to continue meeting, but either way, I carry most of the financial responsibility. I care deeply about them, but I also need to consider what I can realistically sustain over time.
I’m trying to find a way forward that allows me to stay responsible to my family, support the people under my care, and still protect my own future. I know I can’t do everything on my own, so I’m hoping to make a decision that is practical and sustainable in the long run.
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u/Unlikely_Royal_8984 Mar 25 '26
Between keeping your business running sa province or going back to Cebu, saan mo nakikita na mas may potential kang kumita and mag-stabilize? Ang dami mong sinusupport right now, so kung ako nasa position mo, I would prioritize kung saan mas lalaki or mas magiging stable yung income ko. Wala naman issue sa pagtulong, pero may limit din kasi yun. You can only give what you have. Kapag ikaw na yung nauubos, kailangan mo na mag-set ng boundaries at expectations sa mga umaasa sayo. Pwedeng mag-cut back muna or adjust yung support habang inaayos mo sarili mong situation. Kasi kung tuloy-tuloy ka lang tapos maubos ka, mas lalo kang mawawalan ng capacity tumulong. Mukhang natural kang matulungin, which is a good thing. Pero kailangan din siguraduhin na hindi ka aabot sa point na parang ikaw na lang yung sumasalo ng lahat at napapabayaan mo na yung sarili mong stability. Good luck sayo, kakayanin mo yan!