Do you know people who always have debts without any emergency reasons? Do you know people who always ask you to lend them money because they got short on paying their orders? Do you know people who don't have money but still try to pretend like a rich kid? Do you know people who often like to eat at any restaurant but can't pay their electric bills?

Maybe, you have known a kind of them. They are very common now and one of them might be close to you. You will just see them always posting pictures of their new bags, dresses, shoes, accessories, or even where and what they ate outside. They look so cool like they are not that stressed from their debt. They didn't care if they have a debt anywhere just to acquire what they desire. Maybe, you can guess what I have been meaning to say and where did this thought would be coming from. Just from my title, "Adjust Your Lifestyle According To Your Budget", I guess that's too easy to understand. Still, let me share some mini-stories related to this from someone I know.

The first one is a friend of mine since high school. She also has a kid right now, but unlike me, she has a husband who works as a call center agent to provide for them. Every payday, she would bring her family to the mall to eat and shop. Well, it's their money and there is nothing wrong if they spend it. But the thing is, she doesn't know how to allocate the money according to their needs and wants. If there's something she likes, she buys.

One time, she messaged me saying that she wants to borrow money from me so she can purchase a shirt for her son online. I asked her why is she borrowing from me since her husband's income is, maybe, twice or thrice of my monthly income here. She said that they got short on a budget because she bought something for them and she paid the bills. Since it's just a small amount, I still gave her and I just consider it as a gift to her son because I know that she can't pay me back anymore even though she told me that she can pay.

According to Chinkee Tan, if you lend money to someone just give them what you can afford to lose, and so I did. After a few months, I was right. She didn't pay me back. Then, she messaged me again saying she wants to borrow money because her money to pay their bills isn't enough. I asked her why again. She just told me that they went out a lot and wasn't aware that they already spent the one that is intended for the bills.

Since I don't really have extra cash on me, I didn't give her any and just told her that I already sent a monthly allowance for my daughter. I don't know where did she borrow money the next day, but our conversation goes on. I told her to learn how to allocate properly her husband's income and prioritize their needs over wants. She just laughs at me but her husband is shouting that he agreed with me in the background. Well, I did my part as her friend and give her a piece of advice. It's up to her if she listens or not. So far, she didn't ask me to borrow money anymore.

Another one that is like her also is my cousin, who also has a child and husband. She left her child in her father's care to work in another city, just near to her husband's workplace. They are both earning but she still messaged me to borrow money sometimes and this even happened twice. The first one is when she is just getting started in her work. I lend her some because I understand that she didn't really have money at that time. After all, her father got hospitalized.

I empathized with her at first but when our conversation goes on, she slipped and said that the store wherein she ordered a dress for herself is asking her to pay already. And yeah, she never pays me until now. Then just this morning, she bugged me again. I don't care whatever her reasons are, I instantly refused. I just told her that I need my money for my flight, so it wouldn't hurt that much.

What's wrong if you don't have a new dress from time to time? What's wrong if you just eat with your family at home? What's wrong if you can't shop because you don't have a lot of extra cash with you?

I also shop and buy things for myself and my family but not every month to the point that I will sacrifice the budget for the things that I prioritized. It's okay to reward ourselves but only of course if you have that money to buy a reward. Are you gonna fall sick if you can't spend all your money every payday?

It's all just have to do with self-discipline. For the third time from the title, I will say this. Adjust your lifestyle according to your budget. No matter how small or big your wage every month, still prioritized your needs over that wants. Allocate some amount to your savings first, any amount will do, as long as you save it. Next is for the food, have a budget just for that. It is much better if you have vegetables or spices that are planted in your backyard. You can save a lot with that. Then, allocate some amount to your bills like electricity bills, water bills, internet, mobile loads, or whatever, and also for your groceries. The remaining cash would be for your wants. If the remains are less, then better luck next time. Just don't touch the allocated budget for the things that you needed most.

Isn't that so simple? I can't understand why they still got short of cash with them. The three of us have a child to raise, unlike them, I don't have a husband with me, but they still can't spend their money properly and got short on cash every time. I know it hurts to see something that you want to buy but you can't since you don't have enough money with you. That's life, though. You can't get everything you want. If you really want it, then save up for it. Don't borrow money and give them hope that you can pay.

Haaaiiyaaa!

Every time Uncle Roger disagrees with the cooking procedures, he says haiyaa! I also want to tell them that, but I chose not to. They're going to snap back at me if I did. Well, that's a little bit of rant above there, but I hope you learned something.

Thanks for reading!

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