For context, I'm 19 and my stepsister is 24. I’m currently in college and work part-time, earning minimum wage, which where I live is $20 an hour. So today, my stepmom texted me and my older stepsister about a BlackPink concert happening nearby in a few months. She was inviting us to go for my little sister, who's 10, and asked if we were interested. My stepsister thought it sounded fun and asked how much the tickets were. Turns out, they were at least $200.

I figured the tickets would be expensive, considering how popular BlackPink is, but I also knew my stepmom would probably expect my older sister and me to pay for our own tickets, which I totally get. That said, $200 seemed like a lot, especially since I’m not really a BlackPink fan. I told my stepmom honestly that the tickets were out of my budget. She said she’d try to find cheaper ones, which was really thoughtful, but I also didn’t want her to feel like she had to settle for something worse just to accommodate me.

She then told me that the minimum ticket price was still $200. I apologized and explained that I’ve been working fewer hours since I picked up more classes. (Which is true.) After that, she didn’t reply and it has been a whole day. I’m feeling a little bad. I know I probably could’ve saved up in time, especially since the concert is a couple of months away, and it’s supposed to be for my little sister. But $200 is a lot of money, and I feel like I shouldn’t have to explain why I’m not comfortable spending that much.

Am I wrong for saying no to the concert? I just feel conflicted and don’t want anyone to be upset with me.