We start our schooling between 5 and 6 years of age, then spend another 12 years in the secondary academic world. Many go on to studying at a 3rd level college to prepare ones-self for a life in the "commercial" world.
In the corporate world, as a junior, one starts to set goals and aspirations to make is "big", became a manager, become a director and so forth.
In return for your employment and services rendered at your place on employment, you earn a salary or wages.
Suddenly the world of economics hit's you like a tone bricks when you realise that your life now becomes a delicate balancing act between INCOME and EXPENDITURE
What I earn vs What I spend!
Now learning the ropes of personal economics can be a rough road for many, for some people even a roller coaster ride. There is no manual or YouTube video that allows to lean the knowledge and gain the wisdom to have the perfect balance sheet.
Over time, so time years, one learns to adapt the balance to near perfection, allow yourself to live a "comfortable" life.
It so happens that is this balance sheet utopia one has little or not liquid cash at the end of each month.
1 Dollar Syndrome
As mentioned, when one lives according to a tight budget and within those financial boundaries you set, what remains at month end?
1 Dollar!
Promotion & Increases
Although our journey in the corporate world, one moves up the "ladder", get a promotion or changes employers. By default, these moves also coincide with an increase in salary.
Now the re-calculations begin from the beginning to "Balance the Sheet"
Although the income would have increased, why more then too often there is still:
1 Dollar!
What is enough salary?
I have come to realise that there is NEVER enough. You must have heard people saying one of the following:
"I'll buy that new car with my increase"
"We'll get married when there is money"
"We'll start a family when we financially stable"
After all that, there will still be 1 Dollar!
Protect your income
We are also taught to prepare and save for retirement, save for that "Raining Day". This is excellent advice indeed.
But I discovered the hard way that, HARD TIMES can only be ONE Salary cheque away from reality.
I have been through a retrenchment process with a large multi-national consulting company, have been told that:
Next month, there's is NO SALARY!
Through life's hard lessons, I have learnt to appreciate every little thing, big & small, that I have and how important family and friends can be.