Almost everybody has an opinion about another person, but seldom do they take time to assess or analyze their own behaviour. I often hear comments from friends about how broke they are, or how they are always in need and forever in debt, but few people take time to deal with their daily expenditure and find ways to ease the squeeze in a realistic way.
There are thousands of bars and eating outlets everywhere these days and more and more commercial outlets are popping up daily because they have come to realize that people will spend daily, rather than minimizing their spending.
At the bars is where you find mainly men, entertaining themselves and their friends, and spending their last cent to please themselves or their so-called friends. On the other hand, everywhere there is a gaming outlet, you will find a whole lot of women trying to win more than they already have.
Most people rather eat fast foods than cook at home to minimize their spending. Some people claim it is quicker to buy breakfast, lunch and dinner outside their home and not to have to waste their precious time preparing it for themselves, because it is the easy way out.
I recall the times in my early life when I would go to every fete and everywhere you heard music or had dancing, I would be there, until I realized that it cost a hell of a lot to make yourself present at every fete, especially these days, considering the cost.
We want big homes, modern-day cars, as many women as possible, so as to show-off how macho we are. We want the finest perfumes and jewellery, the best brands of shoes and clothing on the market and available and still we don’t realize that having all the above-mentioned comes at an astronomical cost.
We take credit and take big loans, just to be in the mix.
It is alright to be seen in most circles, to be heard and to be noticed, but for such popularity how much does it cost you in the end? You drive everywhere, up-and-down, going here, there and everywhere, but not realizing the cost of petrol and the wear-and-tear that goes with such social living.
You spend a fortune these days on the children claiming you are giving them what you did not have whilst growing up, whether to fit in or make a statement, your children must have the finest as well.
Sadly enough, after all is said and done all that you have spent on your so-called improved life after working for a lifetime or striving to obtain, becomes profitable only to the salesperson.
I don’t expect you to stay home and become a hermit just to save a penny or two, but you have to come to the realization that it is more costly to dine out and much cheaper to think home or stay in your neighbourhood.
As for me, if I went out four times weekly in the past I have reduced that habit by half; if I ate out daily, I have also decided to cook at home more frequently — and my entertaining is now pick-and-choose, because, as time changes, so should we.
We cannot let the system beat us, we are supposed to be the intelligent ones, we have to slow down, take stock, do the math, do the calculations, assess the differences and do the necessary adjustments. If not, you are walking through a revolving door, with no end to your troubles.
When you are young you are blind to these realities, but as you come of age and start to plan your future, or think of the way forward, you must make the changes or suffer the consequences of your stupidity.
If people were not constant buyers, there would be less sellers. We are making businesspeople out of everybody and don’t realize that in the process we are the ones getting poorer.
You could only gain wealth by saving, investing, or curtailing your daily expenditure. The good book says ‘waste not, want not’ but if you don’t follow such principles, you will surely lose out.
I am sure when you go out at night you seldom see those who have plenty also being out at the usual watering holes or popular joints or at VIP settings. It is the unknown who flock there and those who obtain complimentary passes, but those who have plenty of money choose to dine at home or with family, or close friends, and usually they will share with each other, or one would contribute to the function, but sadly our street friends are all about taking, but not sharing or giving back.
We must protect ourselves from what that is customary. You have to know when you are in the deep end, you have to consider for yourself if you are doing what is best for you. But when you are in a hole, you should stop digging yourself in.
Advice is good, but if you choose not to use it then you ought not to complain about how hard life has become, because you are the one who sets the path to your success or failure.
Sometimes you think of what people will think about you, but it’s you who you should be concerned about, not other people.