Spending is Wise for Right Reasons

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
makes life a wonderful journey.

            I was intrigued by Lat's editorial cartoon (NST Oct 13), which depicted a group of people of various age, gender and race rushing for a grand sale. They were so excited until they came to a newsstand which featured a newspaper headline: "Malaysians Don’t Save Enough for Old Age". This simple sketch tells the story of spending and saving.

Malaysians love to spend. During festive seasons, hypermarkets and shopping complexes will be flooded with people afraid to miss out on the great discounts. 

It is a common, yet sorry sight to see children indulging in shopping sprees with their friends. This "worry-free life" will do them more harm than good.

Excessive shopping is not encouraged.

When people overspend, it only gives them a temporary satisfaction. It is not smart to work like a beaver yesterday, only to empty the wallet today, without having a slight thought for tomorrow. 

No religion gives the green light to spending an inordinate amount of money without a good reason. It is indeed an act of greed and ungratefulness that seduces human beings to keep craving for more. But to excessive spenders, the more shopping bags to take home, the merrier.

            There is no problem with shopping itself, but to immerse oneself in the activity is not okay. We need to set strict shopping rules to avoid buying more than we need. We may prepare a shopping list and compare prices before purchasing, for example. This is how we become wise consumers.   

Teenagers indulging in shopping sprees

            Everyone has reasons to save. Bachelors and bachelorettes may need to save for marriage. Elder children of poor families may need to support their younger siblings. Parents need to think about paying their children’s education fees and needs. And as the drawing suggests, everyone needs to save for old age.

In his 1920 article entitle "Success! It’s Up To You!" politician John Poole wrote: "The practice of saving money gives an upward tendency to life, improves a person’s outlook on life, and has a healthful reaction upon all his faculties.”

Saving is a necessity. A penny saved is a penny earned. Our forefathers used to keep their money under the pillows or mattresses. When we were little, we, too, saved our coins in piggy banks every day after school. Now, almost everyone has a savings account.

We need to save for old age

If we have extra money, we may want to consider helping the needy or orphans. In fact, it is an act of kindness and generosity to share with someone else. Our little contribution may quench their thirst and make their day.

            Before we spend on the unnecessary, let us spare a moment and think about 214 million people living in Sub-Saharan Africa who go to sleep hungry every night. And, for every 10 seconds, a child dies from illnesses exacerbated by poor nutrition.

Hungry children in Africa

            Save money. Save ourselves. Save the world.

       Courtesy of New Straits Times

20 October 2014