My Parents Think I Have A Successful Career, But I’m Jobless

My parents have never been wealthy, yet they worked tirelessly to save what little they could to ensure I received a tertiary education. They believed that a diploma would secure my future and open doors for me.
After I graduated, I made the difficult decision to move out of our family home in search of better job prospects. My parents were understandably hesitant at first because it was difficult for them to let go, but after many heartfelt conversations, they eventually gave me their blessings.
But living on my own turned out to be more challenging than I had anticipated. I had to manage my finances carefully, but I was fortunate that I managed to find a decent-paying job and a modest room to rent. After covering my rent, utilities, and food expenses, I was still able to set aside some money each month.
In addition to my savings, I always made it a point to allocate some money to buy gifts for my family. I would bring these gifts whenever I visited, which happened at least twice a year. It became a cherished tradition for me to show up with thoughtful presents, as it was my way of expressing my love and gratitude.
However, everything changed last year when I was unexpectedly laid off from my job. I kept this news from my parents because I didn’t want them to worry. I also honestly believed that I would be able to find another job in a month. It has been nine months! While I search for permanent employment, I’ve been taking on odd jobs just to make ends meet. Unfortunately, I’ve depleted all my savings and have no idea how much longer I can keep afloat.
My mother keeps calling me, asking when I’ll visit again, but I don’t know how to tell her that her only child is broke. I haven’t found the courage to tell my family the truth about my job loss, and I fear they will be disappointed if I show up empty-handed. Bringing gifts has become a cherished tradition, so I have been making up stories about being busy with work. But deep down, I miss them terribly, and I hate lying to them.
This article is part of TSS Confessions, a weekly column where we delve into personal finance topics that are unscripted and genuine real accounts from people.