In a few hours it’s already Christmas(yes Christmas starts on the 25th, the birth of the Lord). But amidst this crazy season of rush buying and shopping to the max let me share with you a very intelligent conversation with my sister.
source: http://www.punchbowl.com
It was early Sunday and we both went to the roof deck of the building for a breather and to see the early view of Manila. Our topic started with both of us who quit our jobs(technically my contract ended). She mention that her co-workers are wondering why she quit and they were wondering how will she survive. She told them that she can still manage to survive without work for some months with her savings. They’re amazed at her answer and that they surmised that she is rich that they even ask her to treat them(it’s a sad culture in today’s yuppies that all events should be met with a treat or something).
She explained that the problem with her co-workers or to generalized the young working class of the Philippines is that once they get work or employed it becomes necessary for them to spend. I can’t blame them because most of the people had a life of so many unmet wants thus when they get a chance to have money they would definitely spend to at least taste those wants they have before.
But apart from that it is sad when they become the breadwinner of the family. It is also common in a Manila based family that if one has work they become the breadwinner of the family. They would even ask the impossible of you and since you can’t say no to your own family you end up buying unnecessary things to the point that you even seek loans or max out your credit card and later pay for the price of being buried in debt.
I know they call this a season of giving but I would like to remind everyone that giving is not only confined to stuff or things and most specially expensive things. If you have been working long hours or have been away from your family I guess time is a better gift than any material gift. If you have hurt someone or the other way around forgiveness is more valuable than any other gift. If you have ostracized or kept somebody away I believe acceptance is more precious than any expensive gift.
Let’s not be materialistic. If you can’t afford the food or decors you used to have in the past Christmas be thankful that even in this times of crisis your family is there for you. Let’s be simple and financially literate and truly see Christmas beyond gifts, in the first place Christmas is not about gifts; it’s about the love of God for us.
About the blogger
Louis Delos Angeles is a Certified Public Accountant, blogger behind Investing in Philippines, and author of Investing in Stocks: Preparing for the future small amount at a time. Learn more about Louis and his financial freedom advocacy here.
God is waiting somewhere above to give you His grace and send His love. Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, God always sends a rainbow after the rain.
http://ayalalandrealestate.com/
thank you very much Mark for your sharing!