Im 16, and I work at a grocery store as a bagger. This might be pretty obvious, but the one thing that I found out that helps me, no matter what my interests are, hobby wise or whatever, they are always in something I can sell later, to get money back. I mean, I was into skateboarding(dear god, what a waste of 4 years) and I sold my skateboards to get money back. I play golf, and have been able to sell old clubs etc, that kind of stuff is really helpful, if you can scramble to get another job etc. I have to wait to get my license till september, when I can take drivers ed(they dont trust me driving
) then that will be another expense I suppose, haha by then ill have my Funtana done!
Anyways, I am lucky though, my parents do give me maintence money, like for fuel, and other things for my planes. Not planes, but he told him that if I am really interested in something, he will support me financially. So, I guess I luck out with that. Though, i am new to RC. I have 2 flying planes, 3 non flying. I have a Cessna 182 that I got with a combo pack on tower hobbies for Christmas, and I got a slowstick, which needs soldering which im on good at, an extra that im going to sell because the surfaces are just too dang small, and a Quickie 500 racer which I am going to get done, right after I finish my Funtana which im building now. They probably wouldnt help pay for it, but when my friends were out partying etc, I was building something with Rc, or playing Flight sim, or something thats more constructive then that. They only do it, just because im doing something that is constructive, and that is a postive hobby. My dad is real nice about taking me out to our field. Its 20 min away, he doesnt fly or anything, but he just sits and watches.
Anyhow, some parents are just more generous then others, and some people just have multiple jobs. I only have 1, but I just learned to only invest in something that can either make me money, or that I can sell back for money, which is a good life lesson!