If you are going to ask me now whether wealth is necessary to be happy, I will probably not hesitate to answer YES. But don't be quick to judge. I first have a story to tell.
Lucio is a farmer. He is married to a school teacher, Rebecca. And this couple has two children, Isabel and Rico.
Lucio just makes about fine in farming to feed the family. Rebecca or T. Becky (as I fondly call her [in my mind]) also helps in the family finances. She also has three piglets in her backyard which she plans to sell in December when prices are usually jacked up for the cholesterol season of Christmas.The four members of the family live on the income of both parents. They live well just within their means. The couple feel rewarded that their children were raised to be happy and content with what they have, and not asking for what their parents can't give them. They live in simplicity and peace. Why shouldn't they, they are debt-free despite the hard times. Theirs is an exemplification of a happy home.
The children, Isabel and Rico are intelligent kids. Isabel is third in her class, and is doing exemplary well in Filipino and English. Rico, on the other hand, may not be as smart as her ate but he excels both in academics and in sports. They are respectful and they are raised to be kind Christians. If you ask other people, nothing about the family is not okay. They might not have the most comfortable life in the world but they find reasons to be happy each and every sunrise.
Rebecca was fortunate to have been chosen by the town mayor to be granted scholarship. She teaches Home Economics and Livelihood Education (H.E.L.E.). Since her parents could not help her through college, she sold AVON products to get by.
So far, would you need lots and lots of money to be happy?
But why would you need more?
You are Lucio. You have a loving and caring wife who does not take work at home. You have two smart kids who are very determined and focused in their studies and other interests. What more can you ask for? )If I may just digress, many rich people I know would spend all they've got just to be happy.)
But:
- The kids would sooner or later be going to college, right? And parents who have college kids know what I mean.
- If somebody in the family got sick, where would they get fast money from? Sell the pigs right away? How about the excess bag of feeds? Three piglets would amount to what, not much. Just break even.
- If Lucio caught a bad strain of bacteria from some rodents' urine in the farm, or he got bitten by a dog or a Dengue mosquito?
- If Rebecca was hit by a car because she walks home from school?
Okay, I understand that you don't want to think about all these possibilities. It's human nature to hate thinking about undesirable instances. But how about CAPITALISM?
While you live simply and happily and contently, trying to make both ends meet, the rich are getting richer and richer devising a way to extract money from you without you realizing it. They create problems, or rather, they MARKET problems:
- They lure you into buying Coke because, God! It is soooo damn hot! You deserve it. The commercial says it refreshes you.
- You deserve to be "extra" happy every payday! You've earned it! And so, you treat your family of four to McDonald's! Yehey!
- You need to contact your classmates about your homework, so you need to load up on your mobile phone. I-unlitext mo na lang para sulit. Tapos, itext mo na rin si crush bago matulog para sumaya ang buhay mo. Uyy, kilig. Siyempre, pag-college ka na, imbes na bumili ka ng laptop (medyo mahal), tablet na lang ang ipapabili mo. Pwede ka nang magresearch at mag-encode dun. Bongga!
- Ikakasal ang bestfriend mo! Ano kayang gift ang ibibigay mo? Nakakahiya naman kung photo frame. Lamp shade kaya? O electric fan? Parang Wowowee kabuhayan package!
- Anniversary! Tumatanda na si misis. Nagiging sentimental na yan. At nagiging sensitive kung di mo naaalala ang anniversary. Anong handa? Saan ang date? Ano ang gift? Silver Wedding Anniversary soon! Kumusta naman ang damit damit ng entourage?
And the list goes on...
And again, while you're happily living simply and happily, big corporations with the aid of mass media drag you down into poverty. And I don't think in that case you're going to be happy very long.
Fast forward: When Lucio and Rebecca get old, do you think they can live on the wife's GSIS pension? How about the health care needs of the elderly? Medicines, checkups, vitamins and supplements?
Do you suppose Isabel and Rico will be happy to take care of them when they have their own families? However they want to help, they can only do so much for their parents.
And since there was a big possibility that they were not able to afford sending their kids to college, even if the children were willing to support their parents being raised as good Christians, where would they get money from? They will just probably end up being menial employees doing what, secretarial, janitorial or manual jobs. Chances are, Isabel and Rico will be having financial problems of their own.
AT, hindi pa manginginom at nagyoyosi si Lucio ha! Wala siyang bisyo! Kung meron pa siyang bisyong nakalakihan, ewan ko na lang. Hehe.
So, what do you think is the answer to our question? Do you need wealth to be happy? If you were Lucio and Becky, will you be contented with happiness? Let's admit it, money is a way to achieve AND maintain a happy life. Think about it.
I am sorry for the lousy plot, it was spontaneous. I know any minute after I post this blog, my sisters will be pointing out my grammar and tense inconsistencies. I also apologize if there is any, or if there are many. :) I admit, I am not a good writer. But I hope I was able to stress the importance of sound financial education or even just basic financial literacy.
Accidents come when you least expect them. And old age comes swifter than you can ever imagine. If you are young, invest early. You're greatest asset is your youth, capitalize on that. And if you are not so young anymore, I am guessing, at least, you are earning more than the young, so you can think of more sophisticated investment tools while you do your day job and duties. Let your money work for you.
If you want to change your future for the better, read. Or ask. I can make myself available if you have questions. I will do my best to help you.
And it is free, because I am a socialist. Because I was ANAKBAYAN.
I care for the Filipinos because I am Filipino (and Ilocano, and Tsinoy). I will choose halo-halo over creme brulee anytime, because I my taste says I am masa, and there's nothing embarrassing about it.
And it is free, because I am a socialist. Because I was ANAKBAYAN.
I care for the Filipinos because I am Filipino (and Ilocano, and Tsinoy). I will choose halo-halo over creme brulee anytime, because I my taste says I am masa, and there's nothing embarrassing about it.
And because I am a teacher who swore to help educate those who need education.
Ask me and I am going to do it for free. But I have one condition. If I teach you (or if I have taught you) a thing or two, pass it on. Pay it forward.
Would you need money to be happy? If, I am on a chat mode. This is what I always ask somebody on a first meeting . . . ARE YOU ENJOYING WHAT YOU ARE DOING? or ARE YOU HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU ARE NOW?For me, the YES answer is my basis of success for that person.
ReplyDeleteAs a parent, you don't want your children to experience the hardships you have experienced in life. You would always want the BEST for them. You would need money to do this and be a happy parent.
Would you need lots and lots of money to be happy? I would say, this is greediness. Use this question in buying things. Do i NEED It or just WANT it? Then, you will not need lots and lots of money.
But why would you need more? Don't make life so complicated. GOD has given you the responsibility to prosper in life.
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
'For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his wealth. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be ba hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
I think, sir, it would be more appropriate to say that money is a way to achieve and maintain a comfortable/luxurious lifestyle. Happiness, at least to me, is simply a matter of perspective. It comes to those who learn to view life from the angle that offers joy and contentment instead of darkness and greed. But, I get your point po. It doesn't hurt to be knowledgeable in terms of finances and investments and such. hihi.
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