toolinchains28

All of us have different ideas, opinions and experiences regarding this matter. Let me share my story.
I married a USC and got here in the US just last year. My husband is Filipino but he was born here so he is technically a US Citizen. We were schoolmates back in college as we attended the same university in the Philippines. I always send money to my family back in the Philippines $700 every month since I started working here. This is not an issue between me and my husband at all. The money I send home is just to help the education of my three siblings (two brothers and one sister) who are all in college. They are studying in the best universities in Manila just like me and my husband used to be so that means really expensive tuition fees! When we were kids my parents had planned our college education as they put high regard in education. All four of us have college education plans. When I was in college I was able to use my college plan for the first two years and my parents were so grateful they have a college education for all of us so they won't have to worry about tuition fees. On my third year, the company that my parents purchased our college education plans filed for bankruptcy. My brother is about to enter college and we had a huge financial crisis because of the expensive education. I guess we can all just transfer to state college that offers less expensive tuition fees but my parents were really determined to send us to the best universities even if it means killing themselves to work. My mom is an educator and my dad worked his way up from becoming a regular laborer to becoming a businessman. We are doing just fine in terms of food, clothing, we have our own house, our own car but education expenses is really giving us a hard time. My college tuition back then is about 70,000 pesos every year (right now it is about 130,000 pesos a year or more for each of my three siblings) and this does not include books, allowances, projects etc. I finally got my bachelor's degree, thanks to my parents who never gave up on me and because of the loans we have from banks and financial institutions. My brother had no choice but to quit school for one and a half year. He worked to save enough money to enroll himself the next year. I then started working in the Philippines, I have a really good job that pays well. Out of my paycheck, I give my parents 20,000 pesos every month to help my brother get back to school and I have second brother who is graduating from high school so he is going to college too. So I have two brothers in college and one sister who is in a private all girls high school. The 20,000 pesos I am giving my parents is a great help to send all my three siblings to good schools. At that time, I was thinking I do not want to get married first as I really want to help my siblings finish their education.
To cut the story short, I have a boyfriend who I love very much and we decided to get married so he petitioned for me and I am now here in the US. Even before getting married, he knows our situation that I am helping my siblings with their education. Back in the Philippines, I give them 20,000 pesos a month so he is aware that I am still going to support them once I get here. I got here through a K-1 visa which means I have to wait for my greencard to be processed so I can start working. For about 7 months I was not working and during this time, I am not sending any money to my family because I do not have work so my parents are taking all kinds of loans to send my siblings to school. Once I got a job, I send them money to pay for all the debts they have and to help my siblings. My parents are really thankful that I am helping them and I am so much happy to be helping my family. I know the sacrifices my parents have to do to pay for my college expenses and I am lucky that I have siblings who understand the value of hardwork and money. They are thankful that they are able to go to the best schools with my help. If not for our failed education plans, I would not be sending this large amount of money to the Philippines because they do not need any help on allowance, bills etc. The $700 I send every month is to pay for about half of my siblings' education expenses. My parents can work as much as they can but they still need me to help them send my siblings to these expensive universities. Me and my husband have no issue over this as we also prioritize education that much. I am blessed with my husband who understands my situation. He can take care of us financially and the only reason I am working right now is to help my siblings finish their education.
Once my brother graduates, I will be sending lesser money. Once all three of them graduates, I don't think I have to send them any more money.

Hi Everyone,
I know it's kind of a late post but I just want to give an update that my sister came to visit me this holiday. She only stayed for two weeks as she still has school startinf second week of January. Even if she only stayed just in time for Christmas and New Year, we had a great time together. So for everyone who responded on this thread, just want to say how I thankful I am. All the advice you gave helped us so she can get a tourist visa.
To everyone else who is considering applying a tourist visa, don't lose hope. As long as your goal is simply just to travel and enjoy US tourism, and nothing else you'll be ok. And another important thing is to have solid documentation that you can afford your trip, good financial records and has strong ties to your country, etc then you have nothing to worry about. Also, it doesn't hurt to pray.