He’s a charming teenage boy. Much taller than me. Addicted to online games. Adept in car and motorcycle parts and engine (though we don’t have both). And the guy who stole my crown after 12 years of reigning as the bunso in the family. Let's just call him Utoy. And sometimes Bill. Bill is the root word of BILLi mo ko nyan; BILLi mo ko no’n. And here's the heartbreaking part: his desires worth BILLsss. He is my total opposite. My cabinet is the ultimate evidence to this. It’s not important that I only have two jeans in my closet (one I bought in college and the other I bought on sale four years ago) for as long as it fits and there's no hole that a guy can peek. 

When utoy wants to go shopping this is what he says “ate wag ka na sumama.” Yes, I am not just his ate but also his main villain or his conscience if I’m successful. I am a quiet person in real life but my brother has a natural ability to turn me into a chatterbox. But most of the time all I got is a deaf ear. Hehe!

Having said that, maybe you’re now convinced that I said it wrong. That I am not frugal. I’m tight-fisted or let’s just put it straight – Kuripot. No. I’m not kuripot. I’m not just comfortable with being “One day millionaire.” One day you have everything you want, and the next day you’re back to zero. That’s pathetic and that kind of life is a NO NO for me. 

Have you heard this: “Bakit mo titipirin ang sarili mo pinaghirapan mo naman yang pera mo”?

At one point, it makes sense right specially if your wallet is fat? But have we thought about Meralco, Maynilad, and PLDT? How about food everyday? Fare, if you’re a commuter? Your children’s baon if you’re a parent and their future more importantly? You’re lucky if you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth and you don’t have to work in your entire life. But if you’re just an average city dweller like me, proper allocation of money plays a significant role in our survival. Worse, the future is unpredictable. And if you’re not prepared, what will you do? And lastly, I am very sure that every human being has a dream. Don't you wish to make your dreams come true?

It’s difficult not to have everything you want when you can afford it. But life is not always comfortable. We will experience difficulty. This is a fact. If you’re not prepared sinong talo? sinong kawawa?

Ako.

Ikaw.

Tayo.
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Magtipid naman utoy. I keep telling my brother. But for now, I can only hope that one day he will lend me his ears.

Photo grabbed @ muljatgroupblog.com

6

Julianne

8:32 AM

Your credit card’s statement of account has just arrived. You were terrified to open it. You didn’t want to know your total liabilities. But the white envelope was in front of you. You tore one end, nonetheless. You pulled the white rectangular sheet of paper inside. Five digit numbers greeted you. The due date is less than a week. Your cash is only good enough for the essentials. You were so worried. But the financial agony didn’t end there. The next day, the electricity bill was delivered. Minutes later, a messenger knocked and gave you your recent water billing. In the afternoon a courier came and gave your telephone and DSL statement of account. Expenses are piling up. Your cable bill is not yet in the list. With your limited resources you feel that only miracle can save you.

What will you do?

a. Find a Bumbay. Go for 5-6.
Consequence: Bumbay, bank or any private money lender entails interest.
Warning: It’s a never ending story.
b. Disregard your debts. Pay them when you have more than enough.
Consequence: Next month your credit billing is equal to: Amount due + monthly interest. And your house might be the only one in your community without electricity, water supply and a phone ringing.
c. Find a new house and change your contact number.
Consequence: Do it if your conscience can take it.
d. Pay your electricity, phone and water bill. Then, call your credit card company and ask for a settlement. Make it installment instead of one-time payment.
Consequence: Honesty might just save you. There’s interest but at least you don’t have to pay the whole amount at once.
e. Sell some of your properties that you think you can live without. Pay all your liabilities. Then, tear your credit card into small pieces and throw it away.
Consequence: Somehow, you’ll feel depressed but eventually you will learn to live according to your means.

In Psychology, Habits are automatic routines of behavior that are repeated regularly, without thinking. They are learned, not instinctive, human behaviors that occur automatically, without the explicit contemporaneous intention of the person(wikiquote.org). Taking a bath everyday and brushing teeth after every meal are typical habits of a responsible adult. When we were still kids our parents were doing it for us regularly. Consciously and unconsciously we are also being taught about the benefits of good grooming. But as we grow up and becoming more independent, we learn to take charge and like how our parents would do it, we do it regularly until it becomes a habit - neither planned nor dictated; it’s automatic.

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I’m sure everyone would agree that money is important. We need money to buy to food, clothes, celfone load and MRT ticket; to pay our bills, tuition fee, insurance and taxes etc. In short, we need money to survive most specially if you are living in an urban society. But earning a living is not an easy thing to do. Worse, when money touches our hands a mountain of temptations are always ready to entice us. Will you entertain the seduction until you get zero balance? Or weigh your priorities and budget your finances?

It’s up to you.

P.S. Did you see yourself in the first paragraph?
If yes, here’s my simple advice: Next time, Make Saving a Habit.If no, here’s my simple advice: Make Saving a Habit and Have a Merrier Christmas.


Photo courtesy of theboltonnew.co.uk

0

Julianne

1:12 AM

When your financial statement is fluctuating and a friend approaches you and asks you “Can I borrow money from you…blah blah blah?” which of these two responses would you choose?

“I’m sorry, I don’t have money” or
“I’m sorry, I’m temporarily broke”

Whether you are making an excuse or your pocket is really empty, Be Positive!!!


The bottom line of this post? I’m temporarily broke! Bwahahaha!!!

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Posted 9/2/09 6:20 PM

2

Julianne

3:20 AM