My Money Needs Saving

How important is money for you???

I never had much regard for money all my life. From pocket money to pocket money, and now, paycheck to paycheck, my life has passed by. Now that I am a mum, and going by the tradition, I am supposed to teach my child the importance of money. For the first and only time in my life, I feel like an inadequate parent. 

My mom, unlike me, was excellent with money. She would meticulously divide her money into expenses, investments, and savings.  Every year, I tried, I swear I did, to walk in her footsteps, and every year, I failed miserably.

When I was young, 1st of every month, we (my sisters and I) would get Rs. 500 as pocket money. My friends and I weren't party-animal kinds of people, but we did share a love for books and music, and that's where our money went into. In my defence, I walked a lot and read second-hand books to save whatever measly sum was left. CDs were expensive, though. By the middle of the month, I would be heading to my dad, pleading with him for some more money, and the poor guy would smuggle me some, making sure nobody saw. 

Now that I am older and love shopping and travelling, all my money goes into it. My sisters are proud investors, and here I am, a proud owner of a fantastic DSLR and a passport full of stamps. The constant need to save money so that after paying the bills, I have money left for things I love has made me understand the importance of saving. 

The 40-year-old me has finally understood that happiness is super important, but money is what makes happiness possible.  In today's world, idealistic beliefs no longer work. Yes, we all need to meditate but meditating on a hill station facing snow-capped mountains is a significant push. Yes, lying down watching the sky doesn't cost a thing, but imagine sitting in a glass igloo watching the Northern lights. 

I rather be rich. I'll find the means to be happy. 

Before I end, let me quote Gone with the wind's conversation between Rhett Butler and Scarlett O' Hara:

Rhett Butler: Providing you have enough courage—or money—you can do without a reputation.

Scarlet O'Hara: Money can't buy everything.

Rhett Butler: Someone must have told you that. You'd never think of such a platitude all by yourself. What can't it buy?

Scarlett O'Hara: Oh, well, I don't know—not happiness or love, anyway.

Rhett Butler: Generally, it can. And when it can't, it can buy some of the most remarkable substitutes.

I am participating in Blogging from A-Z challenge 2022, and this is my post for M - My money needs saving.