A sleek and stylish Motorola mobile phone greeted my eyes on a Sunday morning. Gorgeously tempting. The mere sight of it once again sent me into a spiraling and excited mood. Time flies and here is a sight where technology has gotten another ride into my senses.
My cousin recently bought one. And how I envy her for being able to acquire something that is worth a slash to the pocket. My goodness! I could have easily bought that kind of phone if not for my being so thrifty and having set firm priorities over money.
But really, it made me calculate. I began reminiscing the times I had money to dispense for such huge purchases. I could have stuffed my satchel with what connectivity can afford me but maybe it’s not such a pressing priority.
I have been through a lot with keeping up with the flattery and the vanity of accessing the best of technology. As if my whole personality hinges on what can be defined or dictated by how updated a human being can be that relates with high technology and the latest trends.
Or have I passed on the feeling of being uncontented with what still works for me and with what has to be maintained? Maybe I dread the feeling of filling up my not-so-confident self. Of insecurities. And having these things as a put on. A show-off.
But again, I have nothing against to those who can afford to keep up with the fashion trend. I am just trying to verbalize my rationale on why I did put a firm resolve not to give in putting those big and sweaty wads of money into those so-called bursar busters. Maybe I have learn too much of my money woes. So painful and dear to me.
And since I am talking about a mobile phone. After two unsuccessful attempts to keep my mobile phones, I had for a time decided to avail the latest one by applying through a credit finance to pay-off the bill. But I never thought, that this urge to be updated will put me into a tremendous pressure of financial breakdown.
In 2004, I am in a bad financial condition, having to pay-off the loaned amount to purchase the mobile phone and by keeping payment. I needed to pawned some of my jewelry, when I became jobless. When money stops rolling, then I started defaulting payments. And the ensuing battle of surmounting demand letters and pawn reminders followed.
I hit it rock bottom. I remember the ugly sight of desperation. I have switched jobs after another. I barely had a decent paycheck to pay off the principal amount of the loan. And I remember having countless visits to the pawnshop for extending my payment terms and paying the interest. I remember that moment that I only had 75 centavos down in my little coin purse. I was penniless and disheartened.
I have cursed the day I started chaining myself with wanting and getting. And I have promised to myself that I will never go down through that dark alley of debt-laden days. I would not let myself be sucked up in that quagmire of financial stress.
As I am looking back now, I have paid the price so dearly to learn about money matters. Real matters that has to be taken seriously and responsibly. I need to plan. I need to build up stability early on in my active years of my career life. I must set realistic goals and have this iron will to save and prepare for the rainy day.
It doesn’t matter if we earn so little or earn that much. But what matters is the ability to spend wisely and being not above your means. And think ten times more in ascertaining if its really a need or merely a want.
My mobile phone is now three years old and have survived that dreadening pawnshop episode. Thanks God and I don’t have to re-admit it again to the pawnshop. Instead, I am keeping it safe and sound with me, as it will be a reminder for me how I have fought real hard to get it back. Positively, it is for me a remarkable feat and a very personal accomplishment to be on my way to being truly financially healthy.
Solitude Amidst the Maddening Crowd
The young ones and those not in the know in managing personal finances should read this direct to the point from your experience article and perhaps they would learn a lesson or two.
This is nicely written, Marvin. The lessons you learned from experience could be a pointer to those who are just starting or perhaps to many who failed to realize this simple wisdom of managing personal finances.
I had a memorable lesson I got from my mother when I was a kid – she put it to words in such a way that my young mind then would easily absorb and to remember the lesson forever.
“Son, if you have a peso for a day, don’t spend more than the peso you have or the whole amount for that day – don’t spend beyond your means. always try to keep some cents in your pocket to spend on days when circumstances would need you to spend more than the peso you have for a day.”
I will never forget that and I always pass that simple wisdom to my nephews and nieces.
The problem with some people – and I’ve observed this especially to many filipinos working abroad – is that their lifestyles cost more than they earn. They do it to show off their wealth that sometimes are just bloated balloons like their egos. What happens more often than not is it burst while they are in the air of make believe and what a sudden descent they get, and what a painful fall they have to face afterwards.
I’m not inclined to following the fast changing trend in technology – things become obsolute faster than a blink of an eye. Working in the fashion industry before made me follow fashion trends, but now i’m wiser – I’m inclined to buying the classic cut, and colors and I make sure when I buy a new piece, it would mix and match perfectly to my collection so everything when put together in many different mix would still look different and fresh. I also try not to gain weight and try to maintain my size because it cost a lot to buy new set of clothing when I gain weight. My clothes from 10 years ago still fit.
I still have to learn more about managing finances and gaining through wise investments, but I always go back to the basic lesson I got from my mother because I am confident that simple principle is the best lesson I learned.
I wish you well.
~ Jeques