I feel trapped by my $800 monthly salary

I am 34 and married with one child. My family lives in rented accommodation in a large city. Behind my VND20 million salary is a long journey full of struggle, as my starting salary was only VND6.5 million.

Every month, my salary is quickly spent on rent, childcare expenses, utilities, sending money back to my hometown, and living costs. Most of our savings come from from my wife’s VND11 million salary.

I feel trapped by my VND20 million salary because it is neither high enough to significantly improve our situation nor low enough to justify a change.

Although it covers our living expenses, I am hesitant to switch jobs due to the current difficulties in finding a new position and the risk of worsening our financial situation if it does not work out. As the breadwinner, my salary is insufficient to buy a house or car, or provide a better life for my family.

I feel even more frustrated when relatives criticize me for not owning a home yet despite my salary, while their children with lower earnings have managed to buy homes. They, however, conveniently forget that they contributed 95% to their children’s home purchases, while I have no such support.

Should I just resign myself to this financial limbo?

Reader Trong Tan

*This opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.