Savings is a good habit and one should cultivate the same on a regular basis. Small drops of water makes an ocean is true. And if you save something for the day then you can very well bank on that during hard times when expenses go above your neck. You have a good job, earn a fat salary and have a bright future. Yet, none of this is evident when you look at your savings. This is because young people often find it difficult to save in the initial years of their careers. Studies reveal that discretionary spending can be as high as 18-20% of the income for young people. A 2011 study by Assocham revealed that almost 35 per cent of the urban youth spend up to Rs 5,000 a month on clothing alone. This is one of the reasons most young people have such low savings. Experts recommend some extreme measures for serious shopping addicts. Some say you should just note down the card details and then cut the card into pieces so that you can’t use it anymore. Others suggest you keep the card in a paper sleeve and stick pictures of your kids or spouse on it. You will be reminded of the other goals you may be jeopardising when you swipe the card for an unnecessary purchase.
Having worked in a bank as a Senior Manager and served for 38 years I learned the art of savings and during my retired life. I feel the security in life as I am not hard pressed for money. One should save first before spending exorbitantly thus losing a chance of saving for the future. Wait and watch approach serves as a best tool as we need to act patiently at the time of crisis and perseverance pay pivotal role in preserving the earnings for your old days. The usage of plastic money more put you in tight situation when the 45 days stipulated time gets over. You need to provide balance or if you pay part of the due, then for the balance amount you need to pay penal interest and sometimes face the wrath of Bank’s appointed agents when the amount falls overdue. It is better to be on safer side and for that cultivate savings habit for rainy days and save your skin and lead a peaceful life for ever.
Like so many things in life, setting money aside as savings is a habit that needs to be developed. If you want to see your nest egg grow, you need to do what you can to encourage a savings habit. Setting money aside needs to become a way of life, instead of some sort of burden. Allocating money for the future is important, but you need to find ways to keep yourself motivated. Do any of these things work for you? What keeps you motivated to save?
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
