Category: Family Financial Planning

A REFLECTION ON LABOR DAY

May 1st, 2025

Hello, Happy International Labor Day.

I’m enjoying a day off at home. How about you?

Let us reflect on our life as employees. Indeed, many employees have not received their full rights and are even paid very low wages. I agree that the struggle to get an ideal life as a worker is still long. But while we are fighting for those rights, we should introspect and correct ourselves, don’t we?

Frankly, I see many things that need to be fixed in workers’ behavior. Almost everyone thinks that physical strength determines success, but that is wrong. Your ability to develop intellectuality, understanding of the needs of boss, craftsmanship, and politeness must grow together with physical strength. When you are getting older, non-physical strength will increase your value. You will be more appreciated with the plus build-in in your professional.

Below is essential, too.

About income, assets, and health management so that they can be used and developed for the future. I often advise my staff to manage their finances well, adopt a minimalist lifestyle, and maintain their health by eating nutritious food and living a healthy lifestyle.

In my eyes, they still practice otherwise. Many of them buy expensive cars by loan. The others hang out until dawn, which wastes money and degrade health.

Female employees are no better with their self-love and narcissistic thoughts. Buying expensive items or beauty treatments that drain half of their monthly income. Frankly, I am sad about this phenomenon. No wonder, when they retire, they have no money and rely on their children or relatives.

This cycle has to stop, do you? The money you earn during your working life should be used wisely. Life will not be too harsh when you are in old age or in a tough economy.

The May Day actions are expected to raise issues like this. Not just blame the company or the government.

Do you have another opinion?
TOUGH ECONOMY. HOW ARE YOU ADAPT?

April 23rd, 2025

Hello, my blog friends. Is the current economic situation in your country okay, especially after President Trump imposed high tariffs on goods entering The US?

My country is not doing well right now. Actually, it started before Trump announced this tariff war. My president launched several development programs that absorbed a lot of the budget. One of them is to serve free nutritious food for school children in remote areas. The president wants the young generation of Indonesia to grow better (no malnutrition) and become clever.

I agree with his good intentions. However, Trump issued a policy that hampered exporters’ competition in the international market. As a result, many companies have been reducing their production scale. Of course, they must reduce the number of workers.

I have felt the impact of recent changes, including the increase in income tax, and the cut of budget for government service activities. As a result, my team and I are limited to performing only routine tasks, and we rarely get the opportunity to go into the field anymore.

This certainly weakens my team’s spirit. Everyone should reset all expenses, bank loans (if any), and the lifestyle. It’s not as simple as that, right? If you were in my situation, what would you do to make your lifestyle more efficient?

I am eager to hear your story. How do you adapt to the sudden worsening economic situation?
NEVER DEPEND ON YOUR HUSBAND’S MONEY, MY DARLINGS!

April 17th, 2025

I have always felt privileged by my parents. When I studied independently in my room, they freed me from housework. My mother bought me pretty good clothes and jewelry even though she had to save money. I am their pride because of my outstanding educational achievements that could not given by their other children.

The problem arose later when I was married. I did not work while my parents had difficulty supporting my younger siblings. I wanted to help but had no money. The money I managed belonged to my husband and me. Our money could not be given to my parent without my husband’s consent. I was too shy to ask, either.

I then started to think about working and having my own income. My decision was firm. I worked and seriously developed a career while continuing my higher education. But the obstacles were not easy. I had two little children and a household to take care of.

However, I am now very grateful for the decision I’ve made. I could help my parent, pamper them in the last days of their lives, and help my younger siblings and relatives who are less fortunate. I can finance personal projects or enjoy my hobbies without draining my husband’s money. I feel the blessing.

The freedom I get from having my own money is very calming. I share this learning with every girl who wants to hear my experience. When I meet my nieces, I advise them to build themselves and get a good job.

“Never depend on your husband’s money, my darlings!”
A WOMAN IN HER 50S; ANXIETIES AND HOW SHE COPED WITH

March 19th, 2025

Hello everyone,

Finally, I managed to finish writing this book, which elaborates my experience entering my 50s. I felt restless and tense, haunted by many fears.

Slowly, I managed to conquer the fear of being shunned by children, fear of lack of money, fear of death, and other disappointments.

If you want to know or learn how I deal with my troubles, please order this book via:

http://lynk.id/hoyapublishinghouse/55w90697d7m2/checkout

Pdf format. Written in Bahasa Indonesia.

Price: Rp30.000
CHANGING JOBS, A BIG DECISION THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY

February 21st, 2025
It is not an easy decision for one who enters the 40s or 50s. For those who have worked for decades in one place, changing jobs becomes more dilemmatic. Not only salary, work atmosphere, distance from home, acceptance of spouse/children, and so on must also be considered carefully.

Some reasons why someone finally considers changing jobs:
1. Lack of challenges that cause someone to feel bored and unmotivated.
2. Lack of opportunities for self-development.
3. Unsatisfactory salary
4. Uncomfortable work environment
5. Changes in life priorities.
6. Lack of balance between work and personal life
Salary is not the number one factor for those who have accumulated wealth from their previous jobs. They may switch careers to follow their passion or a more relaxed lifestyle. Many have left their jobs to pursue writing, start businesses, or become homemakers.

How do their spouses and children respond? Is it important to consider? Yes, I think. They are the first parties who will feel the impact of the decision. For example, if income decreases, the family must adapt, and you need to discuss the consequences with them.

If your spouse and children are fortunate to be financially independent, at least you tell them that the decision is a need for your soul so that they will support you and not ignore you if unpleasant things happen.

Before deciding to change jobs, someone should consider several things, such as:
- Are the reasons for changing jobs strong enough?
- Is there a clear career plan?
- Do you have enough skills and experience to get the desired job?
By considering these things, someone will be more confident in pursuing their new career.
BUDGETING NEEDS DISCIPLINE

February 17th, 2025
I don’t have a specific approach to budgeting. After decades of managing a household, I have begun to understand how to determine priorities. The arrangements I make are as follows:
1. Set aside sufficient funds for basic necessities, electricity, etc.
2. Provide funds for social, religious, and other donations. I don’t set the maximum or minimum for this purpose. I listen to my conscience when spending money on donations.
3. I set aside most of my income for investments and to purchase valuable assets such as gold, real estate, land, and stocks. Over time, my budget for these investments has grown. My goal is to achieve financial freedom in my old age. I can also support my relatives and others.
What about you? Is that difficult to do budgeting?

In my opinion, budgeting is difficult if you are not disciplined. Discipline yourself so that budgeting becomes easy and achieves the desired target.
NO DREAM JOB IN THE REAL WORLD

January 20th, 2025

Daily writing prompt
What’s your dream job?
View all responses

Dream job?

Hmm, sounds idealistic, huh? Why is that? A dream job refers to someone’s interest, which may not be available unless one creates the job for himself.

A person may think he only accepts work that gives him a comfortable salary and benefits, a pleasant working atmosphere, a job that suits his skills and interests, and open opportunities for promotion.

However, in real life, that work may only meet one or two conditions; the rest are far from ideal.

In such a situation, many people persist and continue working because they need money to survive. Whatever happens, as long as it does not endanger his life, he will accept it.

Do I have a dream job? No. I stopped looking for it years ago.

If you still have your dream job, listen to me. Make as much money as you can now, then start your dream job with the money you earned from your previous job. Don’t forget to mentally prepare yourself for the worst that could happen.

Otherwise, you or your spouse and children may not be happy with that dream job.
FAVORITE CAR FOR THRIFTY PERSON

December 26th, 2024

Daily writing prompt
What is your all time favorite automobile?
View all responses

Cars become a luxury item for some people, especially cars of high-class brands. Yet, I am not tempted.

Cars were created to facilitate human activities; the focus should be on their function, not the model or image as a luxury brand. This luxury car is a favorite of many people.

I think this is the sin of the rich. They have changed the perception of cars and encouraged the creation of luxury car brands.

I’m not a car freak. I am a reasonable person when deciding on a car. Financial ability is an important consideration. As long as the old car is still good, does not often break down, and the model is as my wish, I will be happy to prolong the use of that car.

Because I am not a car enthusiast, I prefer to stay at home or in the office if there is no urgent need outside. I don’t like spending my days behind the steering wheel of a car without a specific purpose.

Am I a frugal person? I seem too theoretical, huh? Yes, to some extent. My family car is not my favorite, but it is a car that suits our needs and is affordable.
WASTEFUL LIFESTYLE IN INDONESIAN CULTURE

December 24th, 2024
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?