One thing I don't like about being a grown-up is having to balance earnings with spend. I started earning some money when I was 16. I had to change my age to 18 then for me to be able to work for Electronics Company somewhere in Laguna. It's not actually an obligation for me, though I stopped schooling because I need to give way for my other siblings for them to finish school, I was obliged to stop and opted to work on my own--that my folks didn't want to at first. I told them I'll just give it a try, will not be very persistent about it. I just wanna have something to do with my life until the time comes I'll go back to school. So yeah, I am getting a minimum wage a month at that time. Php250/day (this is a provincial rate), plus OT pay when I was obliged. Seemingly, I get roughly 3K every 10 days. WTF I know! haha. Sometimes, I was able to get 4500 because of OT. Well, I don't have obligations before unlike now, bills were everywhere and I have to stick with my budget. Before, I just wanna help my folks as long as I can. Needless to say, I didn't get the opportunity to save some money in the bank. That's what I am regretting now.
When I started school and had a regular allowance. I had to write down all my expenses and defend the raise I wanted to have. I remember starting on a 10-peso allowance, then PhP30... 40... 50 to 100 and then it flattened at PhP200 when I was in college. Unlike kids today who get their gadgets handed to them by their parents, I had to work for it. I became a student assistant and eventually had an internship at Asia Hotels at Magallanes, Makati where in I was paid for being an intern for PhP120 increased to PhP200 after 6mos. I lasted until 8 mos there.
It was fun then coz I didn't have bills to pay! I just used my cash for some shopping and date with my boyf of course. Eventually I started working and I never did get the chance to really save because I had to help my folks once again for all the bills in the house and for my lil sister's tuition fee.
I then experienced having my own bills to pay like Globe and Citibank credit card which really sucks that until now, am still with it paying my monthly liability. I opted to cut my cc for me to avoid using it. I am now used to paying Globe bills since I've started using it after 5 mos since I had a real job.
There are a few things I learned throughout the years concerning handling cash and I hope I could help some of my readers:
1. Buy only what you need.
2. Spend only within your means. (Don't use that card unless you can pay for it at month end)
3. If you get an increase or extra income, don't adjust your routine. (If you used to eat in some cheap restos or in the food court, then stick to it and don't go lunch-ing at classy restos).
4. If you have to to buy an appliance or gadgets, go for the ones that will last. Don't go for low-priced ones just because they're cheap.
5. Don't spend cash that isn’t yours. It's absolutely just going to get you in huge mess.
