MORE MONEY DOESN'T SOLVE MONEY PROBLEMS! Part 2

continued.....

We reached the playground at 8.23 a.m. and I found a bench and sat on it. The weather was still cool that morning.

I was thinking really hard of what solve money problems? I tried to search the answer or answers through my long-term memory (as if I am a computer or robot lol).

Then I nodded my self a few times while my wife watching. She asked me what was I thinking. I only smiled. So, what solve money problems?

ANSWER #1 : CONTROL OVER NEEDS AND WANTS
Well, answer number 1 is to control the NEEDS and WANTS part first. Don't say that we must control the WANTS part only. Basic NEEDS like i mentioned in part 1 are food, clothes and shelter. Then in my previous post in 2009, I mentioned on sophisticated NEEDS. It means, from basic or simple food, we WANT sophisticated food. From normal clothes, we WANT sophisticated or branded or call what ever you want clothes. And for shelter or house, we WANT a sophisticated or big or stylish house.

So, we must control both, the NEEDS and the WANTS first. How is that possible? How to do it? Firstly, one of the ways is to learn, gain knowledge and pracitise on "instant gratification" and "delayed gratification". The terms used here are from the famous book by Robert T.Kiyosaki, Rich Dad Poor Dad.

Instant gratification vs. Delayed gratification

Let me tell you a story of two friends named Azam and Badrul, to show you the meanings and differentiation of the two terms.

One day, there were two best friends who practically learn in the same school, learn in the same university, taking the same course and practically work at the same company. Both of them have the same salary RM2500.00.

On their first salary, they wanted to celebrate and went to town by bus. After celebrating at a famous fast food outlet, they went for window shopping. Suddenly they came accross a motorbike outlet and Badrul wants to buy a motorbike. It's good to have a motorbike because now he has a job and it's easy for him to go anywhere, anytime.

He asked the price to the salesman for a motorbike of his choice. The salesman said the price was RM7,500. His face changed because he doesn't have that amount of money on him. He asked Azam and Azam replied that he doesn't have that amount of cash either.

Then, the salesman said that, Badrul could put a downpayment of RM1000.00 and then pay for the motorbike monthly. So, he was happy because he has that amount of money and to pay RM297.00 per month is no problem for him. The transaction was made and he rode off his new motorbike leaving Azam alone, since they live in different places and have only one helmet. So Azam went back home alone by bus.

7 months passed by and Azam still went to work by bus and Badrul went to work by his motorbike. But one day, Azam went to the same motorbike outlet and asked to buy a motorbike. This time the salesman said that there is a brand new motorbike model and the price is RM8000.00. Azam asked if he would buy for cash, could he bargain for less? The saleman said the price could be RM7500.00 if bought for cash. Azam paid the salesman and he was happy to have a brand new motorbike.

Analysis
Now, let's see how these two best friends are doing. They go to work as usual using their motorbikes.

From a simple analysis, firstly, Azam's motorbike is brand new and Badrul's motorbike is quite old. Secondly, Badrul's motorbike will have some minor damages etc. and thirdly the 8th month onwards, Badrul has to pay RM297.00 continually every single month for the motorbike plus maintenance and petrol until the 24th month but Azam doesn't have to pay a single penny to the motorbike company but can save that money for petrol and maintenance. So who gets the biggest gratification? The answer is obvious. Azam.

So, can you guess who practises instant gratification and who prcatises delayed gratification? It's obvious right? Azam practises delayed gratification while Badrul practises instant gratification. Which one is better? Instant or delayed gratification? Hope you choose the correct answer.

I nodded a couple of times when I thought about it. The atmosphere is getting hotter now because it's nearly 8.45 a.m. I continued thinking... This one of the ways to control the NEEDS and WANTS. But this is not the end for answer 1 and even give other answers. I'll continue in part 3 and onwards.