I am learning: Choosing to be responsible

I’ve seen a lot of them. New graduates. After savoring a few restful months, they went to find that perfect job. Or settled for any decent paying job. Then they began enjoying the fruits of their labor. They bought so many needed and desired items with their hard-earned money. They paid for trips taken with other yuppies. They spent a lot for gimmick moments with chosen friends and colleagues. They became like any other employee. Lived the cycle or working, spending, working, spending, and so on and so forth.

I know because I did the same. I waited for each and every paycheck in order to spend them on bills, transportation and meal expenses, gimmicks, gifts, and travels. There was no need to worry. I was young. I had strength to work for many years to come. Then one day I realized that I didn’t have a lot to show for the many years that had passed. I had not saved enough. When I related it with my list of things to do in my lifetime and I was left with one question : how I am suppose to accomplish all these?

And so I began to study how others do it - Start with simple things. Save 10% of your salary (right after tithes and missions). Choose which bank services would yield greater interests. Spend only on the necessary things. Then try to build up an emergency fund which must be equal to 3 to 6 months of your salary. Build your insurance coverage equal to five years worth of your income. This is especially important to heads of families. To help your family’s survival in case the two sure things on earth happen to you: disease and death. Then learn to invest and let your money work for you. Later , move on to more proactive ways to earn money like running your own business or paying someone to run it for you.

I am a long way off from being financially independent. But I have learned to be more responsible in my expenses. I now try to plan on what little investments I could make right now that would yield better dividends in the future. For myself, for my family.

To the graduates and even to those who are already working, pray and list down the things you want to do for God in this life. Whatever it is, it would require financial resources. Lay down the groundwork. Save, invest, think, plan ahead. You’ll be thankful you did. Start small. God will bless it.

Be responsible.