2. The card has become such an important part of
our lives we cannot live without it. I have
always argued that the card dramatically reduces
our need to print notes, etc…however if you
wish to reduce your expenses, stop using the
card, shift to cash.
3. Stop and think why you are buying things. Is
it because you had a fight? An argument with
your boss? Time-pass? As entertainment? You
have been waiting for a friend and you were
supposed to meet in a mall? Or do you really
need the things that you are staring at in a
shop? Instant gratification is great – so what if
it creates debt in the long run?
4. Amazing how many people think ‘this much
is basic’ how can I not travel by air, taxi,
auto…or ‘it is my wedding anniversary, I
MUST BUY HER a diamond ring’ or ‘sir we
just need an I pad’ . Amusing to see kids
buying a mobike, car, house …all on such ‘sir
everybody borrows to buy a house’ theory.
Entitlement based on dad’s earnings is even
funnier to watch.
5. Where you live, what you buy, where you eat
out, what you do – all this is decided by
colleagues, classmates, etc. who are actually
chasing you. Funny situation is it not? No
clue who is chasing whom – seem to be
running in circles and wondering where they
have reached!
6. Shopping, tobacco, eating at fancy joints,
buying expensive things, alcohol, travel –
anything which becomes an obsession or
addiction sucks money out of your system,
and fast!
7. Today your entertainment has to be going to a
mall, bowling, playing other games, movies
or eating out. To imagine that reading a book,
carom, going for a walk, cycling around, etc –
those which you can do together but does not
cost money have been so beautifully killed as
entertainment thoughts! Wow media, you
have achieved your goals!
8. So all ‘show off assets HAVE to be
branded. There is a whole gen out there
which has been beautifully told that Brand =
Value. Excellent for me as a shareholder of
cos. where I am a shareholder…but it is
hurting you like mad, wake up!
9. No plan of expenditure, career, savings,
retirement …so it hardly matters.
10. Like start early, compounding, power of small
numbers – leading to fatalistic statements like
– what will I be able to do saving Rs. 4000 a
month? Or I will never be able to buy a house
in Mumbai, so let me live it up!
11. I anyway have X amount of student debt, x
amount of car debt, y amount of personal
debt…so what if I added another small
amount