When I put my mind to it, I become rather obsessive with what I want to accomplish. These days it’s all about money. Money here, there, everywhere. Just not in my hands, bag or bank account. The thing about growing older is that you understand yourself better and know how you got to where you are at the moment.
I have wasted 20 years of working life being good to others.
I have always tried to buy love – well not in the literal sense. If I like someone I would buy them things, clear their debts, give them gifts and hope that they would acknowledge the action by liking me better and wanting to be with me. And I am not talking just about boyfriends and partners. I also foolishly believed that if you have the money, you should share it. After all what’s the fun in hoarding money (these days I call it saving). With the exception of my father and mother, I have yet to meet someone who has given me or purchased anything for me. I love my brother and have given him various stuff but those gestures have not been reciprocated.
Coming to DH, I got married to him knowing fully well that he is poor and does have any drive to make more money. His weakness is education and he would pursue it till the day he dies. I have an envious respect for people like that. At the same time I despise such sort of people. They are not meant to live a family life, they do not want to take responsibility of others; then why get married?
There was a time after marriage when I believed in combining our salaries and doing everything together. No longer. Don’t get me wrong – I love my husband but it is not an i-love-you-and-you-will-take-care-of-me sort of love, but rather one where I am pretty practical. I am 40 years old, have a son who will enter college soon and he is my sole responsibility. Combined finances or not – I just want to save enough money for my son’s education and to have a healthy pension. DH says that I am a rich kid so why should I worry. He does not realise that there is no fun in enjoying someone else’s hard earned money.
Anyway, enough of rant. Here’s how February fared.
I saved 55% percent of my salary – and that is an all time high! Every month I try to save as much as possible. Mum comes next at 11% and that is the instalment of the car that I bought for my beloved father. Now that he is no more, it is classified as for Mom. For all the things that my Dad did, bought for me, that car was my thank you. Pity that Dad got to use it for less than three years. Entertainment (basically dining out) is the next high at 6% but the amount is so less to cause me any concern. What bothers me is the GBP 35 of monthly Gym and others that come under Grooming. Show me a Boots or Superdrug and I can’t resist buying something from there. Also I feel I was a bit hasty in getting a gym membership. Anyway I will use it for 12 months and then make a decision.
I know that March is not going to be this good. A’s ticket to India and new PS Vita have already been charged to March expenses.
I have wasted 20 years of working life being good to others.
I have always tried to buy love – well not in the literal sense. If I like someone I would buy them things, clear their debts, give them gifts and hope that they would acknowledge the action by liking me better and wanting to be with me. And I am not talking just about boyfriends and partners. I also foolishly believed that if you have the money, you should share it. After all what’s the fun in hoarding money (these days I call it saving). With the exception of my father and mother, I have yet to meet someone who has given me or purchased anything for me. I love my brother and have given him various stuff but those gestures have not been reciprocated.
Coming to DH, I got married to him knowing fully well that he is poor and does have any drive to make more money. His weakness is education and he would pursue it till the day he dies. I have an envious respect for people like that. At the same time I despise such sort of people. They are not meant to live a family life, they do not want to take responsibility of others; then why get married?
There was a time after marriage when I believed in combining our salaries and doing everything together. No longer. Don’t get me wrong – I love my husband but it is not an i-love-you-and-you-will-take-care-of-me sort of love, but rather one where I am pretty practical. I am 40 years old, have a son who will enter college soon and he is my sole responsibility. Combined finances or not – I just want to save enough money for my son’s education and to have a healthy pension. DH says that I am a rich kid so why should I worry. He does not realise that there is no fun in enjoying someone else’s hard earned money.
Anyway, enough of rant. Here’s how February fared.
I saved 55% percent of my salary – and that is an all time high! Every month I try to save as much as possible. Mum comes next at 11% and that is the instalment of the car that I bought for my beloved father. Now that he is no more, it is classified as for Mom. For all the things that my Dad did, bought for me, that car was my thank you. Pity that Dad got to use it for less than three years. Entertainment (basically dining out) is the next high at 6% but the amount is so less to cause me any concern. What bothers me is the GBP 35 of monthly Gym and others that come under Grooming. Show me a Boots or Superdrug and I can’t resist buying something from there. Also I feel I was a bit hasty in getting a gym membership. Anyway I will use it for 12 months and then make a decision.
I know that March is not going to be this good. A’s ticket to India and new PS Vita have already been charged to March expenses.
3 comments:
Wow, 55%!
I think its awesome that you're able to chart out your expenses like this..
Me, I don't know where all my money goes... maybe I should try doing this for a month..
Maybe it is the perspective of an outsider who knows nothing but you seem to be really unhappy in your marriage or at least not at all happy in your marriage. Isn't it better to be alone?
Hi eeprikka, yes 55% is a dream and I wish all months could be like that. How do I do it? I jot down each and every penny that I spend. It's easy once you get into the habit.
@Anonymous - thanks for your comment. Made me think a lot and there you have a whole post in reply.
Take care, Chinty
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