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A huge earning is usually considered for measuring
the wealth of someone. However, why do so many people
with huge income frequently end up running out of
money in the middle or at the end of the month?
What is the problem?
If you have a job now, do you remember the first
one you ever had? Usually, the first experience
on work is the most unforgettable experience.
Let's take an example. Anto was still living with
his family until he got a job at the age of 23,
as a clerk in a trading company. At that time, he
had just graduated. Although he had to go through
a probationary period, Anto was so excited when
he knew that he would get his first salary. His
salary was Rp 600,000, which he would receive on
the 27th.
We can guess what he would want to do: he wanted
to treat his family. He wanted to express his gratitude
for getting a salary for the first time in his life,
and he also wanted to show them that he was independent
now.
Let's see: he received the salary on the 27th.
On the 29th he took his family out for a meal in
an all-you-can-eat restaurant, so each of them could
satisfy their appetite. The pre-tax cost for one
person was Rp 22,000, and after tax was Rp 24,200
per person. All of his family members were 7, consisting
of his father, mother, one big brother and 3 annoying
younger brothers. All was 6, plus Anto made it 7.
It means that he had to pay the dinner bill of Rp
169,400. Which means, only 2 days after he received
his salary, he had already spent 28% out of his
salary for that month. So, he had only Rp 430,600
left for the rest of the month.
"No problem", thought Anto. "It's my own family
that I treated, not other people. Besides, it's
not every day I do that. Once a month is enough."
Days went by. One week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks. "Hmm…that
stuff in the mall looks pretty good. There is a
very interesting looking shirt. Okay, it costs Rp
28,000. There's also this nice pair of trousers
to wear for work. Very cheap, costs only Rp 65,000.
It won't hurt to look stylish at the office". He
then started buying things. "Okay", Anto thought,
"one shirt and a pair of pants for this month. The
rest of my salary would be used for transportation
and food until the end of the month" .
What happened? On the 24th of the next month,
just three days before his second-month payday,
he had only Rp 50,000 left.
