.Tuesday, 16 June 2009 ' 7:16:00 pm Y
you used to be the reason, for my smile.
Hello dear friends!
Yes, it has been a long time since I have last posted. I would like to apologise, truly, especially for those readers out there who sent me emails. I had accidentally deleted the emails.. I am very truly sorry. I also haven't been receiving emails ever since then. So now, I would like to revive my blog, with a new story I very recently received, and some advice. Keep it in mind!
"Dear Bleh!,
I am *Rachel. Seeing that you have not blogged for very long, I would like to email you to kind of wake up I guess, but I don't know if you read it. I don't mind really :) I'm fifteen, and I like to watch tv dramas and am quite addicted to some of them. So I don't know what to do~ Can you help me?
Not long ago, a new drama caught my attention: Boys over Flowers! Actually many people in my class also like the show, and they have crushes on the guys in the show. Me too I guess, and that's why I have spent so much money on buying stuff about the show! I bought posters, handphone straps, notebooks and many others.. My whole wall is plastered with them!
This has happened alot before, but because of the recession my mother lost her job as a shop assistant, so my father is the sole breadwinner now. We sold our condo and moved into a HDB flat nearby.. But I still am spending as much money as before. I don't know how to control this habit! Please help me!
Love, Rachel"
Before I give you some advice, I would like to thank you for your email! Thank you, as I have not received an email for a long time.
Yes, most teens like you get into this habit. They fall into this trap. I myself, have actually fallen into this trap several times before, but I managed to crawl out with the help of my friends and family.
Firstly, plan your food. For recess, you could bring some home-made food, such as sandwiches. Bread goes well with alot of things, even some kinds of leftovers, so use this if possible so as not to waste food. Or you could just bring leftovers from last night's dinner! Then for lunch, eat in school! Eat outside less often, this will not only save costs, but keep you healthy. School food is usually more healthy than food such as KFC of McDonalds! Ask the stall aunty for more vegetables, if you have planned it as part of your spending. Health is as important as wealth!
Secondly, store your money (literally)! With your money saved from planning your food, you could save at least 1/4 of your weekly pocket money. Keep this money not in your wallet, but in a 'piggy-bank' or even a bank account. This will prevent you from being tempted to spend when you have money in your wallet, and if you put the money in a bank account you will even receive interest.
Thirdly, keep a notebook on things you want and need to buy. Prioritise, as now with the financial crisis, we need to really keep track of where we are channelling our money into. List down the items, the price, whether it is for school or for yourself, and the deadline (if there is). Then focus on saving money for the items that are
needed, before buying the items you
want. Keep a steady and fairly large amount in your bank account or piggy-bank, so that if you urgently need to use some money, you have this sum of money to fall back on, and do not to burden your father for emergency money.
Also note that all this merchandise should not be bought immediately when it comes out on the store shelves! The prices will definitely be slashed after you wait for some time, so it is better buying later than now.
Remember, that money isn't the only thing in life. And neither is celebrity merchandise. Friendship and family is important, so do remember to still celebrate each others' birthdays so as to cheer each other up during this recession! Of course, you can use these methods to cut down on the costs. It's the thought that counts. :) Do keep me informed if you wish, on your spending. I can still give you more advice in emails instead of on the blog.
Dear readers, do keep the emails coming!
