Stacking pennies posted an interesting question, what if your partner surprises you with some secret savings.
I thought about this and I guess my answer is as simple as the crow flies; I am strictly against this and will tell my DH in face the same. Reason is not that I don’t love him or I don’t want to give him his space.
My reason behind this is very simple; we have common budget and common goals, payment of mortgage and saving for retirement. Allowing once secret splurge savings can open a possible hole in budget, which then can be used without guilt for almost anything. Once allowed, I will never be able to stop this. Hence, not allowed the first time, DH beware!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What have I received from my parents
Stacking Pennies brings up a post discussing "what you have received from your parents". So, I couldn't stop and ponder over this question my self.
I guess being Indian this question is a sin to ask. Here parents only give to their kids and never expect anything in return, of course except love and respect. Kids are very spoiled here, and most of kids are very alien to idea of paying for their own education, forget about rent and food. Here people stay with parents even after marriage, to save on rent. Please don’t get me wrong, this is the culture for us. We look down at those people who move out after marriage. We are still a country of joint family, though I know this trend is diminishing now.
Well for my parents, my ma is a house wife and my pa was a government servant, but now is a retired man, still working with some private contractor. All food, lodging and education is fully paid by them not only for me but also for my other two siblings. Well infact, when I took a break in my studies and worked for one year to save money for my further educations, my parents were surprised and proud of me.
Given my dad was the only earning member of our family, and he used to earn quite less, meeting ends used to be a challenge for ma. But she never compromised on our studies. We were never spoiled though. Gifts are a big no in my family, I still remember how I once bought a birthday gift for my dad from my monthly allowance and he slapped me back, teaching me not to waste money on no-use things. We always used to get new clothes to wear, even though not frequently. We never used used books, and never sold back my books, ma used to say “books should never be sold, its education, it should be passed.” I must say I still abide by those words.
My parents got us married too, I mean my elder sibling and me. My younger sibling is still studying. They still give us gifts on all the festivals, but never a no-use thing. Even if I’ll offer some money in return, they will not accept it. In India, its not considered good to take money from your girl child. I know that sounds very different in today’s time, but that’s how they are. They only love to give us, expect nothing back in return, other then a call every day. Love both of you ma and pa.
I guess being Indian this question is a sin to ask. Here parents only give to their kids and never expect anything in return, of course except love and respect. Kids are very spoiled here, and most of kids are very alien to idea of paying for their own education, forget about rent and food. Here people stay with parents even after marriage, to save on rent. Please don’t get me wrong, this is the culture for us. We look down at those people who move out after marriage. We are still a country of joint family, though I know this trend is diminishing now.
Well for my parents, my ma is a house wife and my pa was a government servant, but now is a retired man, still working with some private contractor. All food, lodging and education is fully paid by them not only for me but also for my other two siblings. Well infact, when I took a break in my studies and worked for one year to save money for my further educations, my parents were surprised and proud of me.
Given my dad was the only earning member of our family, and he used to earn quite less, meeting ends used to be a challenge for ma. But she never compromised on our studies. We were never spoiled though. Gifts are a big no in my family, I still remember how I once bought a birthday gift for my dad from my monthly allowance and he slapped me back, teaching me not to waste money on no-use things. We always used to get new clothes to wear, even though not frequently. We never used used books, and never sold back my books, ma used to say “books should never be sold, its education, it should be passed.” I must say I still abide by those words.
My parents got us married too, I mean my elder sibling and me. My younger sibling is still studying. They still give us gifts on all the festivals, but never a no-use thing. Even if I’ll offer some money in return, they will not accept it. In India, its not considered good to take money from your girl child. I know that sounds very different in today’s time, but that’s how they are. They only love to give us, expect nothing back in return, other then a call every day. Love both of you ma and pa.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Me back... first blog in my second season
I was absent from this blog for quite some time now. But I was reading all the blogs on my GRS.
Finally, I re-gained my motivation and spirit to restart here. Hopefully, I’ll have more information to share with you all.
In the period in-between, what I have been doing? Well, a glimpse:
1) Trying to manage my home on budget.
2) Trying to be smiling in this tough time.
3) Trying to learn more about my new work.
4) Learning new recipes.
This tiny list was my to do along with so many other chores of house and office. Time management has been a challenge lately and also new problems that I faced in my professional life. Life has been a roller coaster ride for me from last 5 years. No matter how much I try to enjoy my ride, a bump or two makes me utterly disillusioned and frustrated. I am not at all a believer of luck, so seeking all the responsibility on my actions and onto myself really bog me down.
But here I am, once again to find solace in what I like the most, writing.
Finally, I re-gained my motivation and spirit to restart here. Hopefully, I’ll have more information to share with you all.
In the period in-between, what I have been doing? Well, a glimpse:
1) Trying to manage my home on budget.
2) Trying to be smiling in this tough time.
3) Trying to learn more about my new work.
4) Learning new recipes.
This tiny list was my to do along with so many other chores of house and office. Time management has been a challenge lately and also new problems that I faced in my professional life. Life has been a roller coaster ride for me from last 5 years. No matter how much I try to enjoy my ride, a bump or two makes me utterly disillusioned and frustrated. I am not at all a believer of luck, so seeking all the responsibility on my actions and onto myself really bog me down.
But here I am, once again to find solace in what I like the most, writing.
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