Expenditure and Frugality: Allocation of Diurnal Allowance of Senior High School Students in General de Jesus College

Abstract

The pervasive belief is that students tend to overspend and lack financial management skills. This study was conducted to find out how students distribute and allocate their allowance based on various factors like transportation, food, luxury and leisure, communication, projects or tasks, and savings expenses, which also reflects their views about responsible money management. The methodology used was the descriptive research method, applying the consumer theory. Students should learn to manage their allowances effectively by balancing their personal and academic expenses. It was decided to adopt simple random sampling, in which selected respondents were asked to participate in surveys based on their assessments. A questionnaire about expenditure and frugality (allocation of daily allowance) was given to 300 senior high school students at General de Jesus College. The results show that most respondents agreed that being careful or frugal in allocating their daily allowances for transportation, food, luxury and leisure, communication, school projects, and tasks is necessary. Thus, saving money little by little in banks has become one of their top priorities for emergency use and their future needs.

To sum up, the findings indicate that to budget their allowance properly, most respondents tended to prioritize their needs and necessities over their wants and preferences. The respondents expressed strong views on saving money rather than spending it inappropriately. These findings show how respondents develop frugal behavior as they learn to manage their allowances properly.