I’ve read somewhere about those seven signs when you are seriously broke. Seriously, I don’t think there are just those seven signs for you to realize that you really don’t have enough to tide you over until the next pay-day or until your next pension.
My goodness, there must be something wrong with people who try to live beyond their means. Nowadays, gadgets are always updated almost every six months and there are people who just can’t help themselves, they need to buy the newest and latest model of cellphones, tabs, lap tap or what have you maxing out their credit card limits in the process.
Since I started working at the bank back in 1978, I also started keeping a small notebook of my daily expenses religiously updating it at the end of the day. Why, even a twenty-five cents worth of candies was written there. I kept a tab of my monthly budget and summarized it yearly when my two kids were still at university. I had several envelopes marked for marketing, for groceries, miscellaneous, Nissa’s and Josef’s allowances and for small indulgences now and then. That only stopped a few years after my optional retirement from the bank where I worked for more than twenty-one years. Since then, I’ve been conscious of how and where to spend wisely.Sometimes though, I am an impulsive buyer too. There are those things that we just want but don’t really need. Economists always tell us, save first before you spend. That seldom happens though. By the time the 15th or the end of the month is near, you are using your credit card to buy things.
I learned a lot while I was working at Bank of PI. You learn to save money the right way, you learn to invest in some funds the right way. They will teach you how. You will learn to curtail a little of those unnecessary expenses. You will learn to handle money. Money per se is not evil, it’s how we handle it. There are people who think money is their God, the more they have, the happier they are. You are rich when you have enough but you are richer when you have peace of mind, you can get up in the morning without worrying, when you could admire simple things that give you happiness.
Is living beyond your means an ideal set-up? I don’t think so. It would probably gives you more problems than you presently have.
Sound thoughts.
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Thanks Derrick!
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Not only did you work in the financial sector, Arlene, but you had a very different upbringing from most of the younger generation today. People expect to have what they want now, without waiting. They no longer worry about how or when they are going to pay for it, in many cases.
One day, this credit ‘bubble’ will pop, and the results will be disastrous.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I do agree with your observations Pete that the younger generation is more impulsive than we are.
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You have to learn to appreciate the value of money-you put that beautifully 🐱xx
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Thank you Samantha 🙂
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The need for “instant gratification” among many people can be a difficult mindset to alter. Spending is like an addiction. To me, peace of mind is more valuable than the latest “toy”. Thanks for sharing your insights.
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You’re welcome Lori, thanks too for commenting.
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It’s funny that I JUST read another post on trusting in money. There’s a verse in the Bible that spells it out perfectly: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10. Great post, Arlene. People will do whatever they can for money regardless of what or who they miss out on in the process.
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Thank you Joanna Lynn. Yes, I agree, some people do love money so much they will sell their souls for it. So sad.
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Even people in their 60’s are taking out mortgages on their homes that have grown in value so they can access the money. That makes no sense to me since they will just owe that money. We always believed that your home should be paid off before retirement, so that’s what we did.
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Oh my, I can’t imagine taking a mortgage this late in life just so you’ll have enough money to spend. I availed of an in-housing loan when I was still employed but paid it in full when I left the bank. One should spend according to what one needs, not what one wants.
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so true
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Thank you 🙂
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I work at staying within my means as well. I mostly stay out of stores, take coffee with me in a thermos, pack a lunch, drive a car that’s paid for, and my trips are mostly camping close to home. It’s funny, but some people look down on me for it. They think I should have a new car, new this, new that, etc. I’d rather have peace of mind. My house will be paid off in a couple years, and I’m REALLY looking forward to that. Until you own it, someone can come and take it away. It just takes one thing going wrong.
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That’s good to know Cathleen. We are better off without facing those mortgages and paying those gargantuan bills every month. It is always nice if we don’t have those in our lives. Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts 🙂
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I grew up in poverty, and would never want experience it again. After leaving home as at 17, I learned slowly to manage my finances and to never spend everything or more than you have.
Living within your means makes for a more peaceful life because you don’t ever have to worry about not being able to pay the bills! I like it that way! 😊
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Hi Sabine. We overcome obstacles and hardships in life one way or another. It is always nice though how aware we are of our circumstances. I was a working student for almost three years when I was in college. That somehow shaped me what I am today.
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Very true! Circumstances do shape us. 😊
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