To spend less

Here's a little secret. I have been doing this for a while, since I was so irritated to keep finding myself struggling to save more money... apparently Budgeting with cash envelopes is the best way to do so!

Who would have thought that this old, traditional way still has its charm and power? For me, it works seriously well, because doing so will make me spend less than what I budgeted from the actual amount of my disposable income:). If you want, it is not going to kill you to try...

Find more info on how to do it here and save more baby! (Oh, I hope I don't sound like a grandmother)

from Today's Money

What money can and cannot do

You asked for his or her parent’s background. Whether or not they own a company, or the very least they are a “somebody who knows who” in a government institution.

No, you say money is not the case here. You just want to make sure that you will not end up making acquaintances with one who will never do you any benefit of the relationship in terms of networking or business.

Your sister is no longer in your contacts list. The last call she made was about a help needed for the repair of her son’s motorbike. You have had enough. This is not about money; you are just trying to educate her about real parenting. You know she will eventually pay the money back, even if it is by an installment that seems like it never ends. But you are too tired of it. She should be able to discipline his son. You try to convince your reasons being.

Your son is doing all the best he can. He switches jobs and business from one to another. Jump into another track before even seeing the result of the soil he just started working on. He wants you to see that he is not the black sheep of the family just because he did not want to be a lawyer like you or your other son. You say you did not want him to feel that way, you just think he deserves to drive a Mercedes instead of a Toyota. No, you try to reassure. It is not about how much money your son should be able to earn. It is about what he really is capable to do. You tell him once again.

To my limited experience and whereabouts in life, all of those situations above don’t seem rare. I know people who are in it. I know those who are in denial of it. I, truth be told – was in one of the scenario. It also may happen to you just as you are reading through this post. But let us clarify one thing. Are you 100 % sure that money does not play any single vibe power? Are you sure what you really think about is others well being?

As time flies, I learn. Money has its toll. Along with its charm and its power. And as long as you are breathing in this world, you will never get away from the everlasting influences money can bring. Not before your body be one with the earth or turn into ashes again.

Money can be the element on how you measure your success, your skill or your achievements. But never let that define your state of happiness.  Money can be the reason for you to build a solid roof on top of your head. But it should not get in the way when you really have to create a “home”

Money can be the reason for you to say either yes or no to buy the latest gadget or to book a trip to Europe. But, money should not be the case when it comes to being helpful to your own family, or people in despair. If you can read this, I believe you are among the fortunate people in life who have more than enough to spend and to share.

Money can make you feel you have done your best or feel you could do better. But, money should not be the comparison you use when you see your children is doing their passion instead of following your career path.

It can be the strength you have that comes right after a hard work and perseverance, it- at a certain level- can boost your self esteem. But… Money should not be the final attempt to make people fall in love for you. You know this, money…vanishes.

How much money you and your future spouse have can be something that is essential for you both to discuss. But let not that ruin your little dream of making a happy family. Money can deliver you to get the finest education, the most lavish food, the most sophisticated medical service. However, be careful not to let your search for money ends you up in a hospital bed nor your appetite turn into greed.

Money can make things easier to be done, faster completed, prettier packaged. But never let money empower you to do the things you were not suppose to do, nor be the reason for you to harm anyone. Money can be the reason for you to move from where you are now, but it should not let you lose faith in things that are greater than the world itself.

So that in the end …

You know that money can be a part of you, but you never let yourself getting lost and be part of it instead…

saying images

Money, Money, Money

Now let us talk about money! No, I am no banker- or anyone you can look up to for a financial solution. I am a rookie here and love to share things I believe can do us good. Aside from the household and financial responsibility, I splurge a lot on books, clothes and food. I enjoy life to the fullest, but I know when to hit the brake- that is way before you are out of gasoline. Here's a thing or two I think most of us can practice;  The rule of thumb from certified financial planner Nancy Langdon Jones is to keep enough in savings to weather six months. If that is not possible for you (and I .. ahem), instead, as advised-  keep a SWAN account—sleep well at night. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Even if you have high credit card bills ( proudly not talking to myself here), you need an emergency account. Another lesson I read before; The very wealthy live below their means. Don’t spend everything. Don’t mortgage yourself up to the eyeballs. Find an apartment that meets your needs while also keeping you comfortable. Firstapartmentguide.com suggests that no more than 30% of your gross income should go towards rent and utilities. If you need to, share an apartment. Keep a cushion in case you lose some income *knock on wood.

From Rupiah-with (not that much) Love

Namaku seribu rupiah.

Ada wajah seorang kapitan besar dari kepulauan Maluku di salah satu sisiku dan danau yang juga dari kepulauan Timor sana.

Aku sering berada pada genggaman tangan anak kecil yang memakai seragam putih merah. Tak jarang, aku kusam,kusut nyaris busuk dibuat oleh genggamannya. Bagaimana tidak?. Aku sering dengan begitu saja juga dijejalkan di saku celananya untuk lalu disodorkan pada tukang jajanan, sebagai penukar kue manis atau es dan buah plastikan. Aku punya adik bungsu bernama limaratus… Sekarang, lima ratus sudah ganti pakaian. Dari logam dia, bukan dari kertas seperti aku lagi.

Aku pernah mengalami masa kejayaan pastinya. Saat dimana aku bisa bernilai satu plastik penuh belanjaan sayur mayur dan bahkan tahu serta tempe. Tapi itu dulu. Saat aku masih sering diperebutkan ibu-ibu. Mereka masih bisa memperlakukanku lebih baik. Aku dilipat manis dan lalu diselipkan pada kantong dompet plastik dengan resleting hitam.

Sekali lagi. Itu dulu.. Duluuuu sekali.

Lima ribu rupiah nama yang dihibahkan negara ini padaku, panggilanku Goceng.

Beberapa rumah makan waralaba sempat memborbardir konsumennya dengan kampanye paket makanan yang bisa ditukarkan dengan dengan menyodorkan aku. Sebongkah nasi putih, sepotong ayam goremg yang dipenuhi tepung dan segelas minuman dingin bersoda yang disesaki batu es. Satu paket, goceng saja. Aku sempat berpikir, apakah aku bisa mendapatkan royalti atas penggunaan nama panggilanku. Kenapa aku yang diputuskan menjadi tolak ukur kemampuan rakyat dan kepantasan harga makanan tadi?.

Aku sering berada di dompet anak sekolahan yang sudah pakai seragam putih biru, di kantin, di kotak amal dan lebih sering lagi, berada di dalam sebuah rumah ibadah.

Aku berpindah tangan dari seorang umat, ke dalam kantong hitam yang diedarkan ke seluruh ruangan, diiringi lagu-lagu pujian nan agung. Di kantong hitam itu aku sering bertemu rupiah bernama lain.

Si Seribu itu sering sekali muncul. Kadang aku tak mengerti, kenapa di tempat indah dan megah seperti ini si Seribu nampak tak sempat bebenah diri. Sudah kusam,lecek, koq ya berani main-main ke rumah ibadah. Dan, sejak kawan baru kami lahir, Duaribu, dia juga selalu hadir. Berebut tempat bersama seribu. Kalau aku sedang ada kesempatan, kadang aku sempat mengintip darimana kawan-kawan kusam itu berasal. Bukan dari gelandangan…bukan dari janda miskin (kalau cerita ini aku tau karena aku pernah diselipkan di kitab suci yang halamannya pas sekali memuat cerita janda miskin yang memberikan harta terakhir yang ia punya). Kawan-kawan kusam itu bahkan disulurkan oleh tangan-tangan muda nan halus, berhiaskan jam mewah… Ah, mungkin mereka hanya sedang tak sempat ambil uang lain. Kalau tidak, mana mungkin tangan cantik begitu mau menyimpan seribu lecek!

Seratus Ribu , sebutanku

Aku tak mau memulai perkenalan kita dengan menyebutkan bahwa aku anak terbesar dari keluarga rupiah kertas. Tapi itulah kenyataannya. Akulah pengisi utama mesin anjungan tunai disetiap sudut pertokoan, kantor atau ya pastinya bank. Ada juga mesin anjungan yang dipenuhi oleh adikku si Limapuluh Ribu. Akulah si merah yang jarang kusam, dan selalu jadi idaman. Aku selalu ditumpuk rapih, disusun dalam dompet kulit atau di dalam amplop cokleat untuk lalu berpindah tuan, dari seorang berdasi pada perempuan cantik yang disapa ibu,sayang,istri atau pacar. Atau dari seorang lelaki ke perempuan cantik lain yang tidak disapa dengan salah satu nama itu.

Tak jarang, yang terjadi sebaliknya, setumpuk aku berpindah tangan dari perempuan berpoles wajah tebal ke pemuda tanggung yang kuliahnya belum selesai. Bertumpuk-tumpuk aku kadang bukan hanya jadi rebutan, tapi juga jadi pembenaran akan kecurangan. Makanya aku tak suka bergerombol terus menerus. Nilaiku jadi terlalu menggiurkan.

Aku pernah berada di sebuah rumah ibadah. Hal yang jarang terjadi padaku. Saat itu aku ingat betul, saat rumah ibadah itu mulai sepi, di sebuah ruangan yang sederhana seorang muda mengeluarkanku dari pundi hitam yang penuh dengan Seribu, Dua ribu dan Lima Ribuan, untuk lalu meletakkanku pelan di meja, mengelus-elus permukaan tubuhku. Katanya, hadirku membawa arti banyak sekali bagi pembangunan gedung itu. Ia bahkan memanjatkan doa syukur agar Tuhan memberkati tangan-tangan yang sudah memasukkanku ke pundi itu.

Ah manusia, seringkali aku heran pada kalian. Karena dua malam yang lalu aku berada di nampan sebuah klub malam dan aku hanya ditukar dengan satu gelas minuman. Jadi aku heran kalau ada tempat yang bisa begitu bersyukur akan hadirku.

Namaku Rupiah.

Indukku , pastinya uang.

Yang kau cari setiap hari, yang kau perjuangkan demi kehidupan atau kematian yang lebih layak. Aku pongah, menggiurkan sekaligus mematikan. Aku bisa membuatmu gila,bahagia atau lupa keluarga, bahkan bisa membuatmu berpikir bahwa aku adalah segalanya. Bukan hanya cinta dan hati, aku bahkan bisa membuat satu benua porak-poranda. Aku sementara, kaulihat sendiri, bisa melecehkan tingkahmu kapan saja. Jadi, usah mencintaiku telalu lama…pun terlalu membara.

Ini hanya sedikit dariku supaya kau tau, masih ada cerita yang lebih menarik dibanding sekedar nilai transaksiku itu…

Love you not that much,

Rp