My husband and I have been working for more than 25 years. Our jobs are classified as professional jobs with reasonable salaries. Thankfully, we can live comfortably. Our two children have received a decent education and are working in their dream fields with bright prospects.

However, I think that my family could catch up to a more prosperous life if we managed our income well. I don’t need to worry about my retirement if I have planned to invest some of my income.

I review the lifestyle experienced by many families who fall into the Middle-Class Trap; a situation in which families earn enough income to meet basic needs but fail to improve their economic status due to several factors.

The five luxurious lifestyles below are very familiar in my country:

1. Consumptive. I like to shop, especially for clothes. I follow trends without thinking that the money is better invested or saved for retirement. I was so naive that my pension money could cover my needs in old age. After sharing my experiences with my seniors, I realized that pension funds only cover the lowest basic needs.
2. Satisfied with just one source of income. Many want to live as it is without being burdened with targets. Most people lack awareness of financial planning. Many assume that saving in a bank will guarantee financial stability in retirement. They forget that banks only provide a profit of around 4-5%. That’s just for inflation. Issues like this are rarely discussed among civil servants like me.
3. The demand to look classy in society. The house and car are two things that must have to support style. Many prefer to buy a new car on credit with high interest rather than buying a used car in cash. The endless debt style is commonplace and drains family resources.
4. Big party. Indonesian people have a habit of celebrating family events by inviting many people, not only the closest people but also many who are not known personally. As a result, there is a budget overrun. The parties include weddings, joint prayers for the deceased, birthday celebrations, welcoming the birth of a baby, and so on.
5. Supporting the economy of the extended family. It is common in Indonesia for someone to continue supporting their siblings even though they already have a family. It is a kind of abdication to the family.

In my opinion, Indonesians need additional time to change. How much longer, yeah?