Oh dear.
I’ve been sick since the weekend, so being on medical leave has given me the opportunity to work on 2 books that I’m trying to complete before the year ends.
One of them is a General Paper guidebook that consolidates all my recent tips and examination hacks over the past few years, considering the last time I wrote it was in 2011. The book definitely deserves an update, given how the syllabus has changed and the subject has become a lot harder since I first sat for it many years ago.
Another one is a pretty exciting publication on investing, which I’m editing for. I don’t own the exclusive rights to this book, so more on this later, but you can definitely expect a buzz when this book launches 🙂
Anyway, I got alerted about this post thanks to my friend Chris, who posted about it earlier today. It wasn’t my intention to write about it, but seeing how the post has gone viral, having garnered over 66,000 shares, I worry for the future of our youth.
What really prompted me to write a response, though, was the disturbing fact that many Singaporeans actually do read (and share) Elite Daily, including myself, which therefore makes me very worried about the type of message this post is sending out to young Singaporean readers.
I quite like Hamilton Nolan’s response to this article as well:
“I was always doubting and always feeling guilty. I lived in the most exciting city in the world (also the most expensive) and had yet to experience it.
I was trying to save, which meant trying not to eat. I wasn’t going out with friends.”
“I couldn’t enjoy my life because I was too busy worrying about my bank statement. I was too busy watching my savings instead of savoring my youth.”
“They want us to save because it provides us with a safety net, but that’s exactly why we shouldn’t. We’re not trying to live with safety nets; we’re trying to live on the edge.”
Like this?
Unlike what author Lauren Martin seems to suggest, safety nets aren’t boring at all. Your emergency savings and insurance coverage could be your greatest saviour in the event that you lose your job or get saddled with an unexpected illness.
And before you dismiss that, thinking that you’re still too young and qualified for this to happen to you, check this out:
“When you’re 40, you’re not going to look back on your 20s and be grateful for the few thousand you saved. You’re going to be full of regret.”
Really?
Also, contrary to what you think, it IS possible to save while still enjoying life in your 20s at the same time. What you need is to figure out the balance between both ends. I saved $20,000 in 2014, but felt I did lead a pretty fulfilling life in those 12 months.
I’m blessed with friends I enjoy conversations with, a boyfriend who loves me and a career that challenges me to grow and improve…and I’ve even gained some weight while trying to save more this year.
Does saving money in your 20s make you a poor, broke soul with no friends? I doubt it.
At the end of the day, it won’t matter eventually once time sets in. I’m in my mid-20s now and happily saving, without compromising on the value and quality of my life, whereas all these youngsters can go ahead and YOLO for all they want. When we reach our 40s, let’s see who will be the one smiling instead.
So will you join me, or will you be on the other side watching?
With love,
Budget Babe
6 comments
Well said Fiona, however you cannot deny the fact that many young people today do not see the value in saving and getting themselves protected. Which is likely why this article was shared that many times by like minded people! haha
Trust me, you will be smiling by then in your 40s. I have gone through it and smiling confidently especially in my work place without worries of job security and financial woes for my family. Though i dont buy big ticket items like car, big houses etc, i dont think for the past ten over years of saving n investing have deprived my family from good reasonable quality livings.
Trust me, you will be smiling by then in your 40s. I have gone through it and smiling confidently especially in work place without worries of job security and financial woes for my family. Though i dont buy big ticket items like car, big houses etc, my family has not been deprived from good reasonable quality livings.
That's why I was prompted to write this! Haha. I worry about the future of our young and also all those being led astray by this article -.-
Thanks HS for sharing! Yes, I agree with you that not buying big-ticket items does not deprive one of having a good quality life. After all, money cannot buy happiness either. I hope to be able to be like you in my 40s and go to work without worrying about job security or financial woes either 🙂
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