"Must be funny.."

I just settled some credit card bills and it is a sign of the extreme unwillingness to tackle the final question on my assignment that I'm here blogging about finances.


There is a strange satisfaction derived from knowing my finances are in order. Of course when I mean "in order",  I take into account that with most things in life, it's all relative. There's still a princely sum owed in my credit card bill but that will only become due next month.


A week ago, ST published this article about how the 20-something in Singapore are the most debt-saddled. Honestly, I hardly find that news-worthy. I remember a couple of years ago when Banker Scarlet told me about how led the poor audit life for a while, spending beyond his means and often paying only the minimum for his credit card bills. At that point in time, I secretly told myself not to go in his direction. Alas, 2 years on, I'm stuck in a similar situation though I comfort myself with the fact that being on PLC now means I'm paid significantly less than even what he got when he was an auditor. Sure sure, some people (and I have V in mind when I say this) will point out to me that it is precisely because I'm not earning so much that I should be spending less.


Alas, I too recognise that I have such a penchance for the finer things in life that I have little financial discipline. 


To be fair, it's not like I don't try. Since deciding on that U2-Perth trip, I've tried to take public transport more often and that has been significantly aided with the help of my iphone which gives me such wonderful info on when the next bus is arriving. I've also tried hard to keep with hawker food whenever possible. Also helps that I've lately been more inspired to work out more - a money-free activity. 


Truth is, I can't wait to get back to work and start drawing that associate pay.  Certainly more than anything else, I'm craving that title and recognition that I've been working and eyeing for the past 3 years but the pay is definitely something I look forward to. I plan to save a sizable portion to but I have quite a number of big ticket items in mind and I also plan to celebrate my call with some people who have journeyed and motivated me through the last 3 years.


Since I'm on this topic of money, it is worthwhile to end off this entry with a quote from J, a good army buddy of mine who now runs in the consultancy-banking industry in London.


"99% of the world's problem can be solved with money. The other 1%.. just requires more money" - JT