http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/9/22/nation/9550278&sec=nation
The Star Newspaper today revealed a "shocking" survey about why Malaysians are living beyond their means..
They wronged the people for not managing their finances well.
I find even the Headlines shocking...It has shocked me that they are ONLY JUST discovering this habit from Malaysians. It is the culture in Malaysia to lepak at the malls....ONLY because there are soo many to choose from. Then they complain that students from schools and colleges hang out at the malls, passing their time away doing absolutely nothing except watching passer-bys and causing a social havoc. Can you suggest any other places they can go to for entertainment or socialising?
In Europe you find many many many parks that are big, clean, "green" (especially) and welcoming to hang out. Even to have a picnic under the shady tree. If you complain that it's the weather, then after 3pm is pretty ideal to have a picnic in the park - get some fresh air, read a book, fly a kite, play ball.....But are there any decent parks around for us to do that? If there are, then are Malaysians keen to have a picnic at the park?
I find that Malaysians are too afraid of the sun and heat that they tend to have activities indoors. An afternoon at the park (if you provide) may be the last thing on their minds. And if couples go to parks, they religious departments will create a stirr and accuse them of khalwat. If they are non-Muslims then, there can be no such public display of affection.
Then how about entertainment parks? Theme parks? Berjaya has created an indoor theme park but how well is it patronised? It's a social stigma amongst parents of secondary school children to allow their kids to go there. Simply because they are not behaving well at such places. It's not the same excitement for an indoor theme park and an outdoor one. Even I wouldn't dream of going there.
The next outdoor theme park is either Sunway or Genting. I think most of us have gone there at least once. But you can never go there too many times since it gets boring and costly.
In short, Malls and Supermarkets are the only places that caters to our weekend entertainment especially since there're so many to choose from.
In the article, it addresses the issue of credit card debts. I'm afraid this is on the onus of the card-user. Anyone who does not monitor their expenses using credit cards can be a victim of credit card debts. This I have to blame the banks....for making it too easy to approve credit cards to those who can't really afford it. Perhaps limiting their credit limit to below RM5000 according to their income. Banks allow these financially incapable individuals to fall prey to own too many credit cards.
In my opinion, the moment you swipe your credit card worth more than you can pay, you are on your way to being a bankrupt!!
Another astonishing discovery is:
“In one of our surveys, we were shocked that many children did not even know where money came from,” he said, adding that most replied “the ATM (automated teller machine).
“And, they do not believe that their parents have to work to earn money,” Selvaraj added.
- from The Star
SERIOUSLY?!!! Why aren't children made aware of where money comes from?
They don't grow on trees and they certainly don't just come out of ATMs. I feel sorry for these children and even more so for their parents for not teaching them the essence of financial management at a young age.
Children must be taught that money doesn't come easily. These days parents just throw money like it's nothing....everything buy buy buy!
There comes a point when parents need to step up and tell their children that money spent is hard-earned money from your own sweat and blood.
Last time it was easier to picture a parent working hard to earn a living because they are labourers and you can literally see & smell their sweat when they work or after they return from work. Today, most parents are executives in offices and the only sweat they produce is when they walk to their cars at the carpark. Children don't see how hard you work...it's difficult for them to visualise it these days.
So, Malaysians, let's change the way we entertain ourselves and let's be a little bit more thrifty when it comes to spending. Ask yourself if you really really really need it.....and adopt a 'recycling' attitude from now on!
Good luck..
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