Guys always say they like a woman who is not extravagant. On the other hand, girls like a man who allows them to indulge a little. Having said that, saving money and being thrifty is a good virtue for any sex. Less likely to run into major financial problems.
But when is it being thrifty and when is it being downright stingy? What circumstances will you be considered a scrooge? Perhaps the distinction is that being thrifty is just to spend on things that are necessary, and maybe the once in a while indulgence. Being a scrooge is when you refuse to spend even on the basic necessities, like showering in cold water and going around in darkness as you refuse to pay for electricity.
A few years back I read an article on this lady who was complaining about her husband’s miserly ways. She said it was his thriftiness that attracted her, as she did not want a guy who splurged and in the end no money to support the family.
However, his miserly ways started to get on her nerves. As she was not working, she had to live off the allowance he gave her, but he only gave her S$200.00 per month for her and the three children. And the money covered groceries, school fees, household expenses. This despite the fact that he was earning S$5,000.00 per month, owned an expensive car and held a country club membership.
Whenever he brought the family to the country club for a meal, she would have to be careful what to order as anything more than a certain amount, he would deduct it from her household allowance. When the eldest child was not doing well in his studies, she wanted to engage a tutor but he refused saying that the child must learn to cope as hiring a tutor cost money.
What got her really angry was that he could play mahjong for hours and lost hundreds at a go, or dabble in shares and lost thousands without battling an eyelid, yet refused to even increase her household allowance, even though the children were getting bigger and so more expensive to maintain. He was so miserly that he would buy his own cleanser and moisturizer, then lock it in his drawer so no one else would use them.
I think that is a little too extreme. The guy was earning S$5,000.00 and held a country club membership! Surely it would not hurt to give the wife at least S$1,000.00 to S$2,000,00 per month, or somewhere in between? There are guys earning only S$3,000,00, but still gives the wife S$1,500.00 per month. And what for be so calculative and picky among your own spouse and children?
That is why a woman should not be too financially dependent on a guy. Whether she would be working full time or not, she should at least have some sort of income of her own. And she should always keep up with the times and never lose the skills she had learnt, so in case anything happens, it would be easier for her to go back to full-time work.
And a guy, being a family man or head of the family, is it not his responsibility to take care of his wife and kids? So if his wife chooses not to work, it is only right for him to maintain them in a comfortable fashion.
Of course, one should always spend within the means, but normally those with families make money for their families, not for themselves. How can anyone think S$200.00 a month for a wife and three children is even enough?
But I believe that guy is just one of a kind. Most people I know are pretty alright. They are thrifty, but not to the extent of overly stingy. Which is a good thing, because one should always make sure one has enough liquid assets to tide over in case of any difficult times.
But when is it being thrifty and when is it being downright stingy? What circumstances will you be considered a scrooge? Perhaps the distinction is that being thrifty is just to spend on things that are necessary, and maybe the once in a while indulgence. Being a scrooge is when you refuse to spend even on the basic necessities, like showering in cold water and going around in darkness as you refuse to pay for electricity.
A few years back I read an article on this lady who was complaining about her husband’s miserly ways. She said it was his thriftiness that attracted her, as she did not want a guy who splurged and in the end no money to support the family.
However, his miserly ways started to get on her nerves. As she was not working, she had to live off the allowance he gave her, but he only gave her S$200.00 per month for her and the three children. And the money covered groceries, school fees, household expenses. This despite the fact that he was earning S$5,000.00 per month, owned an expensive car and held a country club membership.
Whenever he brought the family to the country club for a meal, she would have to be careful what to order as anything more than a certain amount, he would deduct it from her household allowance. When the eldest child was not doing well in his studies, she wanted to engage a tutor but he refused saying that the child must learn to cope as hiring a tutor cost money.
What got her really angry was that he could play mahjong for hours and lost hundreds at a go, or dabble in shares and lost thousands without battling an eyelid, yet refused to even increase her household allowance, even though the children were getting bigger and so more expensive to maintain. He was so miserly that he would buy his own cleanser and moisturizer, then lock it in his drawer so no one else would use them.
I think that is a little too extreme. The guy was earning S$5,000.00 and held a country club membership! Surely it would not hurt to give the wife at least S$1,000.00 to S$2,000,00 per month, or somewhere in between? There are guys earning only S$3,000,00, but still gives the wife S$1,500.00 per month. And what for be so calculative and picky among your own spouse and children?
That is why a woman should not be too financially dependent on a guy. Whether she would be working full time or not, she should at least have some sort of income of her own. And she should always keep up with the times and never lose the skills she had learnt, so in case anything happens, it would be easier for her to go back to full-time work.
And a guy, being a family man or head of the family, is it not his responsibility to take care of his wife and kids? So if his wife chooses not to work, it is only right for him to maintain them in a comfortable fashion.
Of course, one should always spend within the means, but normally those with families make money for their families, not for themselves. How can anyone think S$200.00 a month for a wife and three children is even enough?
But I believe that guy is just one of a kind. Most people I know are pretty alright. They are thrifty, but not to the extent of overly stingy. Which is a good thing, because one should always make sure one has enough liquid assets to tide over in case of any difficult times.
3 comments:
*nitpicking mode*
Quote:
"And a guy, being a family man or head of the family, is it not his responsibility to take care of his wife and kids? So if his wife chooses not to work, it is only right for him to maintain them in a comfortable fashion."
It's true in the context of the story. Outside this context, this quote sounds abit wrong ... =pp
If the family is not doing well, the guy is not doing v well, but the wife _chooses_ not to work, the guy can't be blamed to maintin the family in a comfortable fashion :)
*end of nitpicking mode*
hope u dun mind i'm nitpicking, juz feelin' bored now
phoenich
I do not call a person who gamble *thrifty*. Enough said.
Phoenich : What you said its true to a certain extent. Of course if the family is not well-off and the guy is not earning much, then I think the wife must at least bring in some income to supplement. But then again, it all depends on the type of lifestyle one likes to lead.
Ole Wolvie : That I agree with you. The guy in the article is just selfish and chauvinistic.
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