I find it very depressing to hear or read in blogs the moans and groans about the rising prices of things and the finger-pointing that ensues blaming everybody but themselves. Well, if it is difficult for them, wouldn’t it be a lot more difficult for me?
As a pensioner, I get half of my basic salary (not the gross amount) which is around RM2,000 a month. Recently, it has been announced that every year, I would get an increment of 2% so that works out to an extra RM40.00 every month. I am sure all of you would agree that the meagre amount is hardly consoling…but still, something is better than nothing.
I was giving tuition these past few years so I had quite a substantial amount of money to splurge in any way I wished. As they say, easy come, easy go…but of course, I would have to be very careful when I had to use my pension. Now that I’ve stopped permanently, that is all I have and that calls for a change of habit and lifestyle. I just simply cannot afford to be so extravagant and such a spendthrift any longer.
At the hypermarts, I see people pushing their overflowing shopping carts to their cars and I wonder if they actually feel the pinch when they complain about the rising prices or whether they have a lot more money stashed up where it is coming from. I go to the classier cafes and restaurants and I see the crowd and it makes me wonder how they can afford it…and looking at the students in my tuition class and their sophisticated smartphones, I wonder why I cannot afford one.
But I’m not complaining. There are a lot of people who are very much worse off than me and with a little bit more care and thinking twice before spending, I am sure I have quite enough to get me through the day.
Like the other day, I saw this at a supermarket…
The offer price was RM3.39 instead of RM4.00 and at that particular place, they were selling it at RM2.95 only. That worked out to 59 sen a packet of the instant noodles. Then, of course, instead of just grabbing it and heading straight to the cashier’s counter, I had to ask myself first: should I buy it? Did I need to buy it?
Bread is now RM2.80 a loaf here with approximately 14 pieces – 20 sen a piece…so if I have a sandwich (two pieces) for breakfast, that would be 40 sen and if that is not enough and I have two sandwiches, the total shoots up to 80 sen…which is more expensive than a packet of this particular brand of instant noodles for breakfast…and kampua noodles in the coffee shop is around RM2.50 a plate these days. All things considered, eventually, I did buy it.
Then I saw this pink guava juice mixed with orange…
…selling at RM2.00 a carton as the expiry date was about a week away. That was very cheap but it was not something that I just had to have. In fact, it was something I could do without…but seeing that it was so cheap and since I could afford it, I also bought it in the end. I still need to pamper myself sometimes…but sensibly.
Then it so happened that one day a week or so ago, there was no electric supply in my area due to some upgrading works. I spent the whole afternoon walking around the shopping malls mainly for the air-conditioning) but I ended up spending over RM200.00 on bedsheets and pillow and bolster covers. Shocking, you say? Well, the ones that I have are getting very old…and I would feel bad asking my guests to sleep on those faded rags but what made me decide to buy was the fact that they were on offer – at 70-80% discount, I could get a set of branded sheets for only around RM50.00 and that would be well within my means as I still had some money left from my tuition classes and I reckoned I could jolly well afford it…but I guess I will just have to forget about the the semi-SLR that I’ve been thinking of getting. No big deal – life’s like that. It’s all about needs and wants…and sacrifices.
I suppose if everyone spends within one’s means, everything would work out all right. The problem comes when people simply spend like there’s no tomorrow…and they swipe their cards till kingdom come knowing that they do not have the cash to pay when the bill comes…and basic economics teaches us that when demand increases, prices will rise.
The onus, therefore, is on each and everyone of us to spend smartly – think twice before you buy.
Comments on: "Think twice…" (40)
So agreed with you. It’s pretty shocking to see the youngies (with salaries at approx Rm2k per month range) dining regularly at posh eateries, changing to the latest handphones and doing overseas travel once every few months. I suppose the latest generation seems adamant to live life to the fullest and not stash away savings for a rainy day, or are they living beyond their means and maxing out their credit cards? That would be shocking when the high debts comes crashing down on them!
Having to manage the household income, I tend to realize the higher prices now and spend more prudently. Comparing prices often leads to us being able to find better prices/deals especially when it comes to the basic necessities, thus good savings. Luxury spending indulged once a while to keep our souls happy!
I think on the whole, it’s better to be comfortable with a small bulging bank account coz we really don’t know when we suddenly need emergency funds.
+Ant+
Ya…we can pamper ourselves sometimes when we can afford it – we certainly do deserve it once in a while. No need to go to the extreme and be so miserable…and as long as we have enough in the bank to fall back on in times of need, we should be all right. What? Those young upstarts only earn 2K? Same as my pension? The way they spend, I would think they earn at least 10K!!! How could they afford it?…And don’t forget they’ve the housing loan, the car loan…the daily expenses on food and transport. Perhaps they can manage their finances better…and I’m doing it all wrong – that’s why I can’t be like them…
Darn. I feel like a nenek tua. I changed to smart phone cuz my old second hand Nokia KONK out on me and friends keep #!@#!@# at me cuz they cannot reach me, so had no choice but to change. (Cis… my smartphone is also a second hand, Rm400… but no complains, it’s a very good investment, can do so many things wif it)
Oversea travel? In my dreams oso dun have. The last vacation… well not quite a vacation cuz follow husband go to work is in July… and that’s in Penang. No outstation work=no traveling.
I have no credit card cuz I’m not qualified to apply…so uh… there’s no way i can swipe swipe swipe and worry about it later (sometimes i do wish i have one, cuz feel scared if there’s any medical emergency and i dun have cash on hand). Yuppies these days are not very smart when it comes to swiping their cards, i tink… i know a friend who have debts of Rm12k… and she have no idea what she spent on!
Aiyor….smartphone? Shereen gave me one…and up till now, I still have not figured out how to use it. Tried it once, pening my head… But I found out the the dealer of that particular brand in town is my ex-student…so I’ll have to go and see him for “tuition”. LOL!!! Or perhaps I’ll just wait till my daughter gets home. These young people – no need to read the manual, they can do everything they can do with it! Tsk! Tsk! And don’t I know about credit card debts… I had to help a young friend pay off his and it took a really long time…and I also had to help another one who got entangled with those licensed loan people – don’t ever go to those. They’re just as bad as loan sharks, I tell you…
My missus and I used to go overseas every year before our daughter came along – worked all year and saved and spent in all in a week or so…and I was thinking – between the two of us, we would spend at least RM10K-20K, all inclusive. At the time, with that kind of money, we could buy a lot of things…e.g. appliances for the house and all that. Anyway, every town…or every city is the same. You go, you see, you come back…not much would have changed. It’s the company that makes the difference – like how we would go to Kuching ever so often…as my cousins are all there and we would get together, go out to eat and have so much fun together – never mind that it’s the same hotel, and we eat the same things and some stories, we may even have heard before. It’s the laughter and the enjoyment that we will remember…
*FAINTED* WUDDDDDD? Shereeen gave you a smartphone. OMG. So generous… are you sure her surname is not ‘Clause’? Haiyorr… nasib baik she dun come and visit me or else I will paiseh gila babi! >.<
It’s not a latest model lah… You know, like those young people – any new model, they will buy one – iphone 1,2, 3, 4 semua ada…and now 4S so she just took one of the many that was lying around the house and gave me. Yes, she’s so very generous…really paiseh! Next time she comes…must state condition – cannot give me anything. Really dunno how to balas…
No… those who had just grad… sometimes start as low as Rm1.5k. It’s lower these days, i heard, if you only have diploma on hand.
Aiyor…and here I am wondering how I can survive on my RM2K pension…
I really feel the pinch. Usually when I do groceries, I stick to my list strictly…most of the things that I buy is really what I need. Dono how to cut off oredi. Used to be able to spend Rm 70-Rm100 per week for those essential barang dapur, you know, things to cook, but these days… more than than… RM150 and it’s just the same thing and same brand.
And that prince is from kedai runcit…. tsk tsk tsk. But these days I’m smarter liao. Kedai runcit is much more expensive than those hypermart, supplier and borong places.
So these days, I go straight to supplies for beras, eggs and potatoes. One carton with 30 eggs (gred AA eggs) is Rm9.00, 2 carton of fresh milk for anak from supplier, Rm10, a huge sack of potatoes Rm6 (if you buy potatoes from kedai runcit, all you’ll get with rm6 is just 2kg of potatoes), beras from supplier, Rm10 for 5kilo, very reasonable price, and all of these items could last me for at 2 weeks or more which is not bad.
And as for veggies and poultries, I go to Cold Storage to get them instead of go to pasar. cheap if you go for those reduced to clear things. Alot of people will say not fresh, but it’s not true. Pasar really sembelih, and cannot use the discount card which is 10%off from the bill. (tsk… I bet ppl will say I’m an auntie to the max)
At the end of the day… yes, really feel the pinch, but I suppose…it can’t be helped.
I really cannot cut off the grocery list liao, cuz all the things memang need. Basic barang dapur, how to cut off? I even bought those cheap brands. Beras, oil, veggies, poultries, flour, milk for anak, bread, some instant noodles… cut off anymore, memang tak payah masak and whole family will kebuluran. 
Ya…the supermarts and hypermarts have fantastic offers – sometimes very very cheap…so it would be a good time to buy and stock up. I wouldn’t mind buying non-perishables if they are cheap. But the danger is buying too much and eventually, the thing will spoil and gets thrown away. What a waste! There is also the danger of there being so much and we having the tendency of using liberally and using too much instead of trying to scrimp on it. Potatoes, 1 sack? Aiyor…my missus will just back a few, use two perhaps…and the rest would be left sitting there till they sprout roots!!!!
Wakakaka… i very pandai wan… usually buy those nearly expired things, but those I know will habis before I even knew it. You see, my rumah got 2 sharks. They usually can habiskan very fast, especially nearly expired instant noodles, biscuits. So far… semua habis! LOL!
Oh… potatoes I use alot in my cooking. So buying one whole sack is okay for me. You know… use in kari, kurma, use as masak kicap, masak sambal… den also made some homemade hashbrown and french fries for anak. So it’s worth. I cannot buy 1kg or just 2kg of potatoes. Habis in two sittings! How to tahan? The first time I bought one whole sack, i oso tot wun finish it before it goes bad, but to my surprise, one week all clear oredi… >.<
Never mind lah… At least the sharks will eat it all – nothing goes to waste. Young and growing sharks have to eat…and the old shark – let him eat lah! After all, he’s the one paying… Hehehehehehe!!!!
Kakaka… memang, biar them eat la…they have no complaints wud tho my cooking everyday oso not creative wan, use almost same ingredients, almost same dishes…as long as kenyang they dun complain oredi so good enuff for me. Neway…my family eat eggs alot too… a carton of 30 eggs can only last for 2 weeks, so I always borong. Lucky I know where to get those AA size eggs at a very reasonable price, else it will make a big hole in the pocket.
Gosh!!! But as long as the money is not wasted on unnecessary non-essentials, it isn’t so bad.
Having said all of the above, I’m sure our Sir Arthur has managed his finances wisely over the years, and now indulges in foodie haunts to satisfy all his blogger fans with wonderful daily food postings kan? *wink wink*
+Ant+
Well, let’s say that I have enough to live…QUITE comfortably. No complaints!
Arthur, it’s still not too bad, RM2040 a month for not working. Why don’t you take some private tuition students at your house? Then you get to keep 100 percent of the fees instead of splitting it with the tuition center.
I get VERY angry when I teach the present students…feeling like my veins in my head would burst and the blood shoot out of my head like a fountain. They are that hopeless, I tell you…many…if not most of them. I told them if I were marking their work in front of them, I would have murder on my hands – I would have stabbed them to death with my red ball-point pen! And I read somewhere: Life is too short to waste on things that make you miserable…and I decided there and then that all the money would not be worth it if I were to get so angry…and drop dead one fine day from a heart attack or something! Well, MANY people do not have RM2K every month – so it is not that bad really…and the best part is that I do not have to work and it just comes trickling in. Nice!
He retired from teaching already. Dowan to work anymore. >.< Quite a waste, but then again, there's a point in everyone's life you'll say "It's enough. I just wanna lay back and enjoy life."
That’s the exact point where I’m at now… Enough is enough. Just enjoy my golden years…
True Cleff, that’s what I feel like right now. ‘just wanna lay back and enjoy life.’
Reminds me of a story about a rich man scolding a poor man who was loitering around, doing nothing…telling him to work very hard to earn lots and lots of money so that he could relax and idle his life away and the poor man replied, “What do you think I’m doing now?” LOL!!!
Yes, nice. As my mother always says, “Nai cho, uh siak.” (Don’t have to work, still got food to eat.) Actually, you can be selective in your students. Tell them if they want to study with you, they better work hard. So studying with you becomes a privilege, which means you can charge them double too.
You think I did not. All the scolding, all the threats…would all fall on deaf ears. They’ll throw the same silly mistakes back in your face week after week. And the last straw was when one mum called and I said I ‘ve stopped teaching and she said, “Wah! I pay you money you don’t want kah…” That much respect they have for teachers these days – they can take their money and shove it up their you-know-where!!! @#$%^&*!!!!
my mum, a retired teacher and a pensioner too, also mentioned that her monthly pension alone is hardly enough to use. So staying healthy is very important now…
At least, ex-government officers enjoy certain medical benefits – those of us who opted for the pension scheme…and in a small town like Sibu, I would think that RM2K is quite sufficient to get by without having to scrimp and save.
well, at least there’s some money coming in every month..one can live within one’s means..
…and for that I’m thankful, praise the Lord.
Very wise words indeed!
A lot of people live on credit, and that’s a very risky thing to do coz if an emergency happens, it’ll totally throw you off balance.
Spending within your means with the occasional pampering is good advice.
I love to travel though so that’s where my money usually goes.
You’re young, unattached, no commitments, no responsibilities…and you’ve a lucrative income, so no problem at all. Travel and live life the best you can… Ya, good to always set aside a bit for a rainy day. We never know what tomorrow may hold.
Hi Arthur, try make your own bread and noodles, healthier and satisfying… though the flour itself aren’t cheap this day, however a packet of flour(1kg, RM2+) we can actually turn out at least 3 loafs of bread. I usually use whichever ingredient is cheap in the market… whn tomato is cheap, just bake a few tomato bread and whn carrot does, just bake a carrot cake… *support homemade food! LOL!
Nah!!! Best to do without. What would I do with three loaves of bread? Like my missus – she will go and buy noodles from the shop – RM2.00 a bag (1 kilo) and she says we can eat that many times, both of us…maybe three times in the week – more or less forced to as if she doesn’t buy and we don’t go out to eat, she does not need to spend even the RM2.00 PLUS we will not have to “over-eat” just because she has already bought the noodles… It’s all a matter of dollars and sense.
Nod nod, true also… that’s why I always give away my produce mar…
Too bad I don’t live nearby. Wouldn’t mind free handouts…
well said STP, living within our means, I always subscribe to this philosophy. Hence I’m still without a new car (paid off my current car 2 years ago), am still wishing for a DSLR. I’m contented with my life now though.
Thanks for sharing this post.
Ya…it’s all about being contented, satisfied with our lives…instead of the culture of want..want and more wants! I’ve two cars…and don’t ask me how old they are! LOL!!!
betul..betul sekali
thank you for the reminder, have a lovely weekend..
You too!
Bananaz got this straight in the head when shopping “buy what you need and not what you like”. Of course got one confession..Bananaz may buy nice scissors *collector’s item* haha. Bananaz would go bananas over nice cute lovely scissors.
Eeeeee…why do you have this fetish for scissors? Better be careful – somebody may use one and do the Bobbit on you… Habis! LOL!!!
This post of yours is good STP. ^_^
We all feel the pinch of the rising prices of commodities. It is the hard reality that we have to face. Here in the Philippines, many people are groaning and complaining about the rising prices of petrol, vegetables, rice, sugar, etc. They copied the “occupy Wall Street” protests in America and did some protest rallies here in Manila. The funny thing is that these people who are doing the protest rallies are the very same people who endorsed the current leaders in the government. I don’t support the current president and his administration but I find it depressing to see the same group of people complaining year after year. All they do is protest and protest and do nothing to push the economy forward. They keep on demanding the government to give them subsidies, even they s;ack at their work.
How about the other Filipinos? They are not out of the streets but continue in making a living. I am sure that they are complaining with the current state of things in my country but that doesn’t give them the reason to stop working and ask other people (read: their fellow taxpayers) to subsidies their life.
Another thing that is funny here in my country is that we have so many malls here. They are just walking distances from one another. These malls are not empty and many people actually bought lot of items. The question is, is there really a recession?
It’s the same everywhere… Life is what we make it and whatever it is, we will just have to learn to live with it. No point being angry, frustrated and miserable, it does not make things any better…and it only serves to make your own life become like that, angry, frustrated and miserable – in fact, not only your own but the lives of your loved ones around you. Imagine you grumbling day and night in their presence and they’re so helpless about it all, I’m sure they will end up being miserable too. I believe in the Serenity Prayer…and in living life they best we can…and leave the rest to God.
Agree. We should leave everything to God. I read a witty statement that goes like this, “Don’t take your life too seriously because you will never get out of it alive.” Let us unwind and de-stress from time to time and see how beautiful this world is made by God. Let us appreciate all the blessings that He gives and embrace the challenges that He throw at us with “humility and cheerful submission.”
God bless you my friend.
…and you too.
Great post, I like it. I have come across a few food blogs by youngish KL folks and am amazed by their ability to live that kind of life style – spend that much on lunch / dinner and yarn about their wines…or are they paid to do their food reviews? But what good comes of it if that blog does not get a good following, as in number of comments received?
I know some are invited to what they call “food tasting” so I guess it is free – dunno if they’re paid or not. As for the blogs and the number of comments, I have nothing to say…
Coz I don’t blog, therefore I don’t understand if there are any ‘rules’…which was why I commented on the ‘number of comments’.
Don’t ask me about those things as I also do not really know. I understand there is such a thing as traffic and visits that will give your blog value in the eyes of people like Nuffnang. I was told that with my traffic, I should be able to make quite a bundle…but no, thank you. I’m quite happy with things the way they are, never mind that mine is not a money-spinning blog…no need to rock the boat!
Thanks for explaning, and yes, please keep your blog as it is – I like your posts. Easy reading and unpretentious. My noise-maker arrived in KL this afternoon and taking my mum (mum in nursing home in PJ), my sister and my brother and their families out to dinner tonight. Tonight, I eat pork porridge…and watch Doc Martin whilst eating
Unpretentious is the word – I am who I am and what you see is what you get! I’m afraid I can’t say the same about some bloggers – they may not be what you see in their blogs. Adoi…so kesian! You should have followed…and then hop over to Sibu.
Live within our means.. that is wiser… sure we feel envious when others enjoying life.. but if we indulge like others do, guess who are the ones suffering in the end? I am also living within my means…how much I earn.. i spend… hahaha…no savings.. my savings come from long ago one.. with my meagre salary, i also cannot afford to renovate my house, to buy new car… travel far… etc..
Thank God for His provisions (extra income from blogging), i managed to lavish my kids with makan outside at times.. but for this evening, I will boil porridge with salted egg… the days I didnt post up nice food, it means I am eating food like these…
“Do not compare yourself with others lest you become vain or bitter for always there are better and lesser persons than yourself.” (Desiderata) So those who are better off, good for them – but it does not necessarily mean that they live happier and better lives. Everything boils down to us as individuals – we live our lives the way we choose…and as long as we are happy, that’s the most important. Isn’t ENVY and GREED among the so-called Seven Deadly Sins? To me, porridge and salted egg is like heaven… Wouldn’t mind having that at all…and I do have that quite often as well.
I do agree with you. I get my money mainly from my parents and some from working casually at my uncle’s shop. I have to say I am very fortunate to have my parents to support me with the basic necessities in life and some pampering once in a while. But I do know it’s not so easy for them to earn such money especially after moving here. My dad’s income is from Malaysia and my mum is not currently working. That’s why I have to be very careful with what I spend. Whenever I go to the shops to buy something here, I will always multiply the price by 3. I see other people at my age spending their money on branded clothes or alcohol and I think I slimply can’t waste my parents money on those stuff. I tell myself I only spend the money given to me on important things if not to the bank it goes. I do not mind using my money on occasional meals with friends because they mean a lot to me. Last year, I managed to receive RM500 from the government as an incentive for SPM. I used about RM 120 for a dinner with my friends about 10 of us. It may sound silly especially for someone at my age. But I only get to see them for one month out of twelve months so to me it’s worth it. Of course, I have to be aware not to spend too much.
Like I said, easy come, easy go…and we do need to pamper ourselves sometimes…and there is a difference between needs and wants – to me at least…and hence, you see my old cars, my old handphone, everything’s old…including me! As long as they serve me well and I can do all that I want, why would an old man want to waste money on something flashy…and end up with extra worries? Your dad lives in Oz and gets his income from Malaysia? Oh gosh! Divide that by 3 plus, there would not be much left… Thank goodness they’ve got a good and sensible daughter.
With all that said.. I should thank God for the many blessings he gave to me. Without him, I won’t have anything
Yes, indeed!!! We must always give thanks and praise the Lord…and have faith always that He will protect and He will provide.
So true and well said, sir! With my peanut income, I will always tend to have overdraft in my bank account.
But, thank God that I have some savings stash up after years of working and of course, it’s for emergencies use.
Like, I spent RM400 plus for medical bills of which I cannot avoid. What would happen if I didn’t have the money then?
But, I’m considering myself to be blessed comparing to others, of which my colleague have the balance of RM2 in his savings accounts.
I wonder how much you make…but I can understand that in private institutions, the employees are underpaid. Still, they are people like the blue-collar workers who would have to work a lot harder and earn very much less…and some have such big families…and yet, they are very happy and life goes on.
Government employees get hospital privileges but I’ve gone to private medical centres more than once and paid over RM1K each time. Like you, thankfully, I’ve some savings…and on one occasion, I was able to claim some RM800 plus from an old insurance policy I bought when I was in my 20s. Those in the private sector should consider life or medical insurance – it may mean having to pay the premuim every year but we never know what may happen…and the policy may come in handy at times of need.
Wise man talks about personal finance!
Very well said and pretty much spot on. The younger generation really needs to learn budgeting cause I think personal finance is under-emphasized in education systems everywhere.
IMHO, an individual should learn to be financially independent as soon as he’s able to generate his own income. Frankly, taking pride in family’s financial status and being a spendthrift without knowing that it takes a lot to save a fortune sounds pretty naive to me.
Just my two cents
You have your point there. It’s the parents’ fault – I guess they have good intentions but many do not know where to stop. The over-pampering, giving in to their kids’ whims and fancies may have long-term overtures and may do more harm than good. Nothing beats being financially independent – the satisfaction of earning your own keep and standing on your own two feet. I remember how happy I was when I bought my first durian out of my own pocket a long, long time ago, opening and eating it all by myself in my little rented room in Kanowit…
Authur, what a thought provoking post! My Quay Lo and I were just saying that we have to change our life style when he is fully retired. Fortunately, we both had gone through difficult times and like the Cantonese saying we can be “choy tuk yuen, gum tuk bien” (literally means can be round or flat) hahaha. Yes, most important is we have to live within our means and be contented with what we have. People who always want more will never be happy. As we grow older enough money to survive and live healthily is good already.What is more important is to have good friends. Studies and reports suggested that people with extensive networks of good friends and confidantes outlived those with the fewest friends.
I bet you will have a long happy life because you have so many friends. You just got yourself a new friend (if you too consider) ME!! hehehe
What is life without friends? I sure am glad that I am making so many new…and good friends via my blog. This alone makes it all worthwhile. It is all right if you can afford it to go on with your life as usual…but I’ve stopped teaching and I would be deprived of a monthly income that is A LOT more than my pension so I do not have a choice. Will have to adjust to my new circumstances. No worries though as I’m old, not many social activities and I don’t usually shop or buy stuff and Sibu is a small town, not too expensive to sustain oneself here…so I’ll be fine.
my friend who worked there said to me before that Malaysians always work within their means.
It all boils down to the individual…
hahahaha~~
RM2k+ is good enough for a comfortable living in Sibu. Esp if you cut out unnecessary expenditures… ehem… like ciggies.
Why? You don’t enjoy kissing an ashtray? Muahahahahaha!!!! Ya..with that amount of money in Katibas, just give me a few years and I’ll be a millionaire…like you! Wink! Wink!
now i need to control my spending ord. huhuhuh
You spend? Not boyfriend pay kah? Muahahahahahaha!!!!
yeah i think it’s a good question that everyone should pose to themselves before buying something “do you need this?” malaysians have been known to waste a lot of food and we throw away lots of food too especially packaged food that were expired.
Must get my missus to read this – dunno how many things I’ve thrown away year in, year out – expired or rotten already.
Well said and great post!
Now i think i spent more on my boys instead of myself.
But but, i am stingy, i don’t buy branded stuff for my boys, I usually buy when there is sale. Like myself, i also want to own a branded bag, but i got no heart to spend so much for just a bag. *sigh* Unless someone want to buy for me. hahahhahahha
I have been thinking about this post since Saturday.Infact, after reading this post on that day,I sat staring at the screen for a long time and for once,I am lost for words. To agree with you is like killing myself as I am very guilty of every little bit of the stuff you’ve mentioned. Had a very soul searching talk to Simon last night about the issues you have touched.You see, I have known what ‘susah’ is but thankfully after few short years, things improved.Once we are financially stable and have assets and a healthy bank account, we tend to be a bit more generous with ourselves but I have always felt so guilty indulging ourselves with new and expensive stuff.Then, I found a way by making myself feel better by giving excuses like it’s alright to buy this or that as they are like an investment…who am I kidding,right?So,yeah..it is timely for you to write this post to make me ‘sedar diri’ sikit….but I do find that being generous to others gives me the most satisfaction and happiness ever..and so far, giving to others has not thinned down my bank account…yet!
Ya…I do ask myself all the time “Do I need this” before buying. But when the kid’s milk powder are on sales, I will quickly grab the whole box without thinking. haha… can really save a lot. Now they had grown up, I changed to a cheaper brand. All I need the milk was for their breakfast (once they woke up) and supper (before bedtime). So any brand, as long as suitable for them are fine with me. No need to spent hundreds on those expensive brand.
Yes, not cheap feeding growing up children. Sometimes you switch brands…and not suitable, ceret in the end…forced to go back to the more expensive brand. Been there, done that!
My dad is a govt pensioner but the measly monthly pension is hardly sufficient for both my parents to live comfortably in a city. The only good thing is certain medical benefits that he enjoys.
Good post and makes one ponder…and makes me feel guilty! I always aim to shop with a list at hypermarkets but at times, things not listed also ended up in the trolley. Goods not needed then but the offer was too good to refuse. sigh. Must practise more self discipline..
Yes, that’s the trick they use – a few good offers to draw shoppers in the hope that they will buy everything else. If I remember correctly, Cleffairy said once that the father both a house in Sg Petani for when they retire. Best to retire in the small towns where the cost of living is not so high.
My dad’s pension is about RM700 only and he is already 67 this year yet still working full time to make ends meet. I’ve financed his car but he still need to work or else the RM700 will be gone easily..
It’s definitely not easy…but we’ll do the best we can and somehow we’ll manage…