Sticks & Stones
Alhamdulilah! There are just so many things that I want to write about! To the most of you reading this blog, it'll somehow seem that it's the transition of me slowly, but Insya Allah, gradually accepting Islam. But I still hold opinions, though I am, Insya Allah, more patient in listening to other's views.
One topic that I seldom talk about is education. Inspired by a person I don't even know. This evening, I met someone who, in addition to taking a diploma, is also studying for a degree. Funny thing, this person, I would assume can not hold a decent conversation. I've nothing against people who can't speak proper. I just have a problem with people who don't try. And here we have an educator who thinks that "singlish" is the way to go. Like I said, I've nothing against people who are not articulate in their speech. I've great friends who belong in that category. It's the people who won't even try whom I try to steer away from.
To be educated, to a certain level/standard, would usually mean the achievement of a kind of discipline. Something to that effect I would assume. I am not highly educated myself, being a drop-out. But the situation that exists here and in many parts of the world is that people get qualified for the sake of enjoying the possibility of better job prospects, assuming greater responsibility in a different, and possibly senoir role. Wrong. Education should also allow a person to develop set qualities necessary to be successful in their pursuit. The ability to listen, observe, feel, etc. Without those, the degree that you get is nothing more than having your name nicely printed on a thick piece of paper.
I am amazed that many of my friends who are university graduates are not sensitive to the environment or social conditions surrounding them. Blame it on the fast pace of life. Blame it on the current influx of trained white collar labour. It is true, that in order to get to where you want to be, a huge amount of effort is required, at the expense of practising social graces. One example would be rushing into the MRT or bus without civility towards comfort to others. The other would be not stopping to ask if someone needs help in directions. I've seen that many times. And it's truly uncalled for to pin these irregularities on white collar, power dressed individuals. These members are easy targets for attacks. Afterall, how difficult can it be working in an office, when you're dressed so smartly.
Many of the people I know who have bought their small new car, executive apartments or condos with prestigious sounding names do have problems managing their expenses. For example, a couple I know with a combined income of close to $5,000 are not well off by any means. Less of 13% of that income for CPF would leave them: $ 4,350. Reno loans takes up $500 a month, for 3 years, car loan takes up $700 a month or 8 years, maintainence of that vehicle (add in road tax, tyre change, insurance, petrol,etc) would set them back another $500 a month. Payment of utilities, personal expenses, shopping, groceries would cost another $800 a month. Total expenses a month = $2,500.
If you think that they still have about $1,850 left to spare a month, lets not forget personal insurance, savings for childrens education, short holiday trips, personal income tax, allowance to parents.
So, assuming that the couple (again assuming they share a joint account) to save $1,000 a month, it would mean that to achieve a retirement cash basket of $300,000, it would take them 300 months ~ 25 years. That is also assuming that the value of items that have already been committed has not devalued, like the apartment, car. There is no concept of wear & tear of furniture or condition of the apartment. And there is no increase in the cost of living.
Further assuming you need $1,500 a month to comfortably retire, $300,000 would last you a little more than 16 years. Of course there is the mandatory CPF contribution too.
Personally, I would like to grow my cash savings before I commit on anything that is capital intensive. A car is a good to have. A nice apartment is a good to have. It all depends on what you want out of life.
I've strayed from the point. My point is, education is supposed to make us more learned, regardless (there is no such word as irregardless. The word regardless would be redundant if irregardless existed) of the study we participate. We should try, in our very best to make the society a better, more welcomed place, for our neighbours. Many of us lock ourselves in our houses right after we come back from work. We shop for clothes, to try to look good because our position deems to come with a "prefferred" apearance. We drive because senior management should not take public transport, even if it does save you lots of money (but since time is money to you in your own egoistic way). We keep up with apppearences socially becuase we want praise from others about how successful we are. You get my drift.
I've driven (and have been driven) luxury cars. I only had one small car (by defination, less than 1,000 cc), and I had it for only 6 months. I've owned a 4,000 cc car, and more lately, a brand new camry (it was new then) with a bidded number plate. But nothing beats being able to read in an MRT or bus. Being able to see the sights and enjoy the scenery. It's all about choices. I would like to live life, knowing that I've made the best decisions that I could ever possibly make. I love life, yes I do. But I love God & all His creations too.
Forgive me if I've offended anyone. The views expressed here are strictly my own.
jahwsl
0140
25th Nov 06
One topic that I seldom talk about is education. Inspired by a person I don't even know. This evening, I met someone who, in addition to taking a diploma, is also studying for a degree. Funny thing, this person, I would assume can not hold a decent conversation. I've nothing against people who can't speak proper. I just have a problem with people who don't try. And here we have an educator who thinks that "singlish" is the way to go. Like I said, I've nothing against people who are not articulate in their speech. I've great friends who belong in that category. It's the people who won't even try whom I try to steer away from.
To be educated, to a certain level/standard, would usually mean the achievement of a kind of discipline. Something to that effect I would assume. I am not highly educated myself, being a drop-out. But the situation that exists here and in many parts of the world is that people get qualified for the sake of enjoying the possibility of better job prospects, assuming greater responsibility in a different, and possibly senoir role. Wrong. Education should also allow a person to develop set qualities necessary to be successful in their pursuit. The ability to listen, observe, feel, etc. Without those, the degree that you get is nothing more than having your name nicely printed on a thick piece of paper.
I am amazed that many of my friends who are university graduates are not sensitive to the environment or social conditions surrounding them. Blame it on the fast pace of life. Blame it on the current influx of trained white collar labour. It is true, that in order to get to where you want to be, a huge amount of effort is required, at the expense of practising social graces. One example would be rushing into the MRT or bus without civility towards comfort to others. The other would be not stopping to ask if someone needs help in directions. I've seen that many times. And it's truly uncalled for to pin these irregularities on white collar, power dressed individuals. These members are easy targets for attacks. Afterall, how difficult can it be working in an office, when you're dressed so smartly.
Many of the people I know who have bought their small new car, executive apartments or condos with prestigious sounding names do have problems managing their expenses. For example, a couple I know with a combined income of close to $5,000 are not well off by any means. Less of 13% of that income for CPF would leave them: $ 4,350. Reno loans takes up $500 a month, for 3 years, car loan takes up $700 a month or 8 years, maintainence of that vehicle (add in road tax, tyre change, insurance, petrol,etc) would set them back another $500 a month. Payment of utilities, personal expenses, shopping, groceries would cost another $800 a month. Total expenses a month = $2,500.
If you think that they still have about $1,850 left to spare a month, lets not forget personal insurance, savings for childrens education, short holiday trips, personal income tax, allowance to parents.
So, assuming that the couple (again assuming they share a joint account) to save $1,000 a month, it would mean that to achieve a retirement cash basket of $300,000, it would take them 300 months ~ 25 years. That is also assuming that the value of items that have already been committed has not devalued, like the apartment, car. There is no concept of wear & tear of furniture or condition of the apartment. And there is no increase in the cost of living.
Further assuming you need $1,500 a month to comfortably retire, $300,000 would last you a little more than 16 years. Of course there is the mandatory CPF contribution too.
Personally, I would like to grow my cash savings before I commit on anything that is capital intensive. A car is a good to have. A nice apartment is a good to have. It all depends on what you want out of life.
I've strayed from the point. My point is, education is supposed to make us more learned, regardless (there is no such word as irregardless. The word regardless would be redundant if irregardless existed) of the study we participate. We should try, in our very best to make the society a better, more welcomed place, for our neighbours. Many of us lock ourselves in our houses right after we come back from work. We shop for clothes, to try to look good because our position deems to come with a "prefferred" apearance. We drive because senior management should not take public transport, even if it does save you lots of money (but since time is money to you in your own egoistic way). We keep up with apppearences socially becuase we want praise from others about how successful we are. You get my drift.
I've driven (and have been driven) luxury cars. I only had one small car (by defination, less than 1,000 cc), and I had it for only 6 months. I've owned a 4,000 cc car, and more lately, a brand new camry (it was new then) with a bidded number plate. But nothing beats being able to read in an MRT or bus. Being able to see the sights and enjoy the scenery. It's all about choices. I would like to live life, knowing that I've made the best decisions that I could ever possibly make. I love life, yes I do. But I love God & all His creations too.
Forgive me if I've offended anyone. The views expressed here are strictly my own.
jahwsl
0140
25th Nov 06
posted by Jeremy Amir Hamzah Wong Sheh Liang | 1:04 am
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