Spend Or Save?

Australia
June 27, 2012 10:19pm CST
I am presently on office training. My boss, who is my mentor, left two days ago for a Europe tour. She left the office with me, of course, with all the responsibilities. Before she left, she gave me some money to spend for myself. As a trainee, I don't receive salary or pay, but she enrolled me in a course. Thus I get free education. The money that she gave me is like a pay I should say for looking after her office while she is away for five weeks. The funny thing is, I cannot spend the money. I am still thinking actually if I should buy something for myself or just save it in my bank account. I think, after being unemployed for 8 years and being back in the office again I know how hard it is not to have any money of my own, but merely dependent on my husband. Do you have something to share as well when it comes to your hard-earned money? It would be nice to read all your responses here. Thanks in advance.
1 person likes this
12 responses
• United States
28 Jun 12
Being a stay at home dad, if I ever get money I try to hold on to it tight, because its always good to have some money to do something you want to do.
• Australia
29 Jun 12
Hi PhillyDreamer. I understand what you meant. The money stayed with me for a couple of days while I was thinking really of the wisest thing to do with it. I ended up depositing half in my savings, and keeping half with me for some expenses. Thanks for the response.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
28 Jun 12
Well if you have something you want to buy and you really need it why not? but if you are in need of money and needs to save..then save it...
• Australia
29 Jun 12
Hi jazel_juan. I saved half of it in my bank account and kept half of it to buy things that we need. It is also a good timing for the kids' school holiday. Being with them and keeping them occupied and entertained is somehow expensive. I think it's good that I saved some. Thanks for the response.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
1 Jul 12
Hi Alicia, if you have credit card debt to clear, then the money should be used to pay down credit card debt. if you can contribute part of it towards household bills, that is good for your self esteem too. It is never good to spend the first earning on luxuries. Best to save it if you have no other debt. You never know what will happen in the future. Someday, you may need a large sum of cash urgently.
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
28 Jun 12
I am a saver. I hate feeling like something could go wrong and we will not have the money to pay for it. i also save up for big purchases. We just got my husband LASIK eye surgery, and are saving up for our 10th Anniversary trip to Italy.
• Australia
29 Jun 12
Hi asyria. I went to the bank yesterday and deposited half of it in my savings account. I think that was wise. I saved half and left half for me and my kids to buy things that we need. Also, because kids' school holidays start today, I can give them some treats. Wow, trip to Italy! You must really be a good saver! I love saving for something like that as well. The amount that I deposited would add up to my savings which I intend to keep for a Christmas holiday this year. Thanks for your response.
@Bhebelen14 (5194)
• Philippines
1 Jul 12
If I were you I am going to put the money in the bank if I still enough money for my daily needs. It really hard to earn money nowadays I am more on saving than spending. When I am still a trainee like you I don't have yet a salary but the company was giving me daily allowance I kept all those allowances that I received in the bank and used it for important matters. Now that I am earning enough for myself I still saving even though that I am married because I don't want to asked extra money for my husband for my personal needs.
@ECH107 (108)
• Austria
29 Jun 12
In your situation, I would save it up and a day will come along when you really want to buy something. Since you don't have a certain something in mind right now, I recommend that you use it when you really want to.
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
28 Jun 12
Saving of course is the best way. But then of course that was your hard earned money then you can pamper yourself for earning that. I think when you get a good balance of saving before spending then you can better manage yourself and make good use of the money you earn.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
28 Jun 12
i hate spending money if i don't have to. i not only shop for the house but i buy all the office supplies for the place that i work at and its a not for profit organization so i have to extra frugal there as well. if i was you, i would spend a tiny bit on something nice and save the rest.
@yanzalong (18984)
• Indonesia
28 Jun 12
As you have a husband, you had better save the money. For daily expenses you can rely on your husband's income.
@vjsinduja (1031)
• Sri Lanka
28 Jun 12
Spending or saving depends on your financial status. If u have enough to afford any, you may spend.. If not I would say is to save it. But at the same time, if you really something , then u may buy with this money.. After all we earn money to live a happy life..
@iw1000 (13)
28 Jun 12
I think you should save up the money, until you get your first payment and then spend the money you saved in something you really want, it would be better if it is something usefull instead some luxury like a new cell phone, I know it is hard to save up, if it was me, i would probably just spend the money in clothes or something else, and then when I need some money i would regret buying things, I usually do this, i buy something and then when I really need something I end regreting spending in something i really didn't need so urget, by the way, I hope you can stay in that job and start earning some money in your own without depending on your husband.
@ryanong (9665)
• Vietnam
28 Jun 12
Better you do save...earning money is hard now then we should save for emergency cases later.