Sunday, September 25, 2011
.:. Money matters .:.
...it really Does.
Even though I always complain about the army, it still has some perks. Monetary wise that is. I've never actually worked to earn my keep before, not counting the 1 month MOE Attachment Programme last year. That was more like a learning experience, not an actual work. Being in the army, we get what they call an Allowance (note it's not salary). And being the rank of Sergeant, of course there's the added money value in it. So ya for the past 1 year 4 months I've been getting a constant flow of income into my bank account.
And with income there's outcome. Spendings on my weekend entertainment, outings, food etc. My expenditure wise hasn't exactly changed alot, keeping spendings to weekends only as much as possible. The only difference is that now I'm no longer drawing money from my parents, but instead myself. And naturally I gotta indulge myself in my gundam modelling hobby as well right.
Savings are important as well too. I remember hearing/seeing from somewhere that a good gauge of amount to save is half of your income. Not sure if that is true. But I've been keeping to that ever since I started drawing money. I would say it's still going quite well being able to achieve the quota almost 90% of the time.
So its a balance of outcome vs income. Of which the latter has to be naturally a larger value otherwise you're in huge trouble. It's also about the importance of planning your budget. To have the ability to foresee your expenditure for the week, to have the caution to plan for miscelleaneous stuff, and the determination to not waver infront of tempting food when you're not hungry xD.
Then comes the question. Why do we save? Do we save because its a society norm to do so, because since young our parents have inculcated in us the good habit to save what little we have. Do we save for ourselves so tat we can go on that overseas trip that we so look forward to enjoying at the end of the year. Or do we save for our family, for the family that we'll form in the future to live in a life with as little worries as possible.
I don't come from a very well to do family, nor is my family very poor. But I dare say my family is in the above average range. Being able to live in a condo, have a car, and go on a trip yearly, sometimes more. These are luxuries that not many get to enjoy. I do admit that I am very lucky to be able to enjoy all these. And the reason for all these?
It's because of my parents.
They aren't the CEO of some big multinational company, just regular employees working very hard to earn what's enough to let their family enjoy the happy days. I have no idea what's the exact figure that they draw, just know that they have enough to not let me worry about my family's financial status. I can also see that they're putting thought into every cent they spend, seeing my mum tabulate the receipts and etc every end of the month. And it's very heartnening to know that even though they have the weight of the family to carry on their shoulders, they never fail to give in to us. Be it getting our favourite food, or simply buying shoes to replace old ones. Maybe its because of this that I am who I am today. That I know what is resonable and not be a spoilt brat asking for everything. The reason I'm the Dalvin you see/read about.
Hence more often than not, I wonder to myself. Can I replicate this lifestyle in my adulthood. If I were to have my own family, would I be able to earn enough to give my children the same kind of life without financial worries. I know you might be thinking these thoughts are waaayyyy too early for a 20 guy. But it's just been a nagging thought in my head.
At the age where we're choosing what courses to take when entering uni, it somehow sums up. By deciding which course you take in uni, it sort of concludes where you're going to be for the rest of your life. Not counting those who go back to re-study another course or are adventurous enough to try something totally new tht they've never touched before. For me, I'm going to be a teacher. Or at least that's the current plan.
So does a teacher earn enough to lead a comfortable life? Will my future wife be working to further supplement the houehold income? None of these are answers that are given to you at the end of the exam. It's just life that you gotta experience and try it out for yourself. You never know how things are going to change in future, so you gotta plan ahead, save what you are able to, and hope that when the day comes and you urgently need it, you don't have to worry.
And yet contrary to what the whole above chunk has been talking about, life isn't all about material wealth as portrayed in the social media we're allso immersed in now. There are so many things out there that are much more valuable, enjoyable and easily within reach that we already have around us. Our family at home, friends outside etc etc. These are things that are definitely more important than money, though more often than not because of the pursuit of the latter we neglect them.
Ok this post has gone on long enough. Even I feel its getting kinda off track. Typed this over a span of one week so pardon the jump in line of thoughts if any. To end off, here's a translated chinese saying for you "Money is not everything, but you definitely can't do without money either."
Revealed on [7:50 PM]
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