‘Many of us are surviving and not living' - Episode 1

Many of us are paid based on the typical 22 working days in a month, and our spending tends to mirror this income. As a result, even minor increases in expenses can feel overwhelming, especially when unexpected costs arise, leaving us scrambling to make ends meet.

Most of us work for companies still struggling to recover from the economic fallout of COVID-19. Despite this, our salaries have stagnated for over four years while inflation continues to rise, eroding the value of our earnings. What used to be a paycheck that could last a full month now barely covers 18 to 20 days, creating a gap that’s hard to bridge. Many of us struggle to meet basic needs, like affording three meals a day, which has forced us to get creative with our budgets.

This creativity has turned us into "football coaches" when it comes to managing our daily spending strategies. Some adopt formations like 1-0-1, 0-1-0, and my favorite, the 1-1-0 formation. (I’ll explain these formations in more detail in the next episode) Essentially, we’re juggling how to allocate our limited resources to cover as many expenses as possible, often sacrificing one necessity for another.

It’s perplexing how some people base their own plans and expectations on the income of others, assuming those individuals will always be able to help. This can lead to disappointment and strained relationships when assistance isn’t available. Financial reliance on others can create tension, particularly since everyone’s situation is different and not all struggles are visible. Just because someone appears to have a steady income doesn’t mean they aren’t facing their own financial challenges.

Ultimately, a healthier approach may be to concentrate on our own financial strategies rather than relying on others for support. By doing so, we can avoid misunderstandings and learn to manage our resources more effectively, even when they’re stretched thin.