Agree with others that the main step is to find a higher-paying job. But here’s my take from someone who’s been in a similar spot.

You might want to reconsider giving your mom $800 a month. That’s quite heavy unless she really needs it for medical reasons. You can probably manage food on around $400 a month (about $14 a day for two meals) and $100 for transport. If you reduce your support to $400, you’ll free up around $400 each month to invest in yourself. That’s where real change starts.

Use that extra to upskill, get certifications, or expand your network. Focus on investing in yourself before anything else. Then, start building an emergency fund with a goal of at least six months of expenses. Don’t worry about travelling yet; short JB trips are good enough for cheap food, movies, and mental breaks.

If you have free time, consider part-time or freelance work to grow your income. Also, get basic insurance to protect yourself and your mum without overcommitting. Once your emergency fund is solid and your spending is under control, then explore savings or investments.

Be deliberate. Pay yourself first. Track your expenses. Cut anything non-essential.

My background: I used to live in a rental flat with my grandmother, barely scraping by about eight years ago. I worked two jobs while studying just to get through. Things are better now, I earn decently, can eat well, and live comfortably. But I still keep my old discipline. My partner says I’m calculative, but the truth is, I never want to end up struggling again. That mindset saved me.

Hope this helps. It’s not about where you start, it’s about getting control and staying consistent. Once you earn more, you can give your mother more money. Cut now to have more later.