pocket money
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Heh. I borrowed BF2 from Kenneth, a tennis mate. I went to his place today. His family occupies one of 8 units in a small private apartment block. Next to it is
a family whose land plot is the same size as the apartment block.
In any case, I hope he doesn't want it back too soon. Gleefully hoping that it will be a forgotten borrowing instance... heheh...
Anyway, I got to the stage in conversing with Kenneth that some friends around me get to. The stage where I explain to them that while it might seem I live in a nice place, I am far from able to buy an ipod nano or treat others to a decent meal as easy as one might think. I never make out my parents to be draconian money-hoarders, though, for they do sponsor me heavily. This includes:
1) Pocket money ($7 for lunches in MJC, $5 for dinner. You'll find MJC's food is more expensive than, say TPJC)
[expenditure on school things like the TIcalculator are also sponsored, but class funds, that are collected when necessary, is less
reimburse-able. Reason being that I can't ask my mom every so often for 4 bucks or so for it, since there isn't really much I can provide as evidence. I'd feel bad if I ask her for the reimbursement without any proof.
2) Ez-Link card top-ups (travel expenses)
3) A portion of my Phone bill (I've sold my phone soul to Singtel for two years [they prefer to call it 24 months to seem shorter] so that my mom pays 4 bucks less for the same period every month.)
4) Any household expenditure (goes without saying, but it still is
highly significant.)
Withdrawl of money has to be done seeking permission first, too. I'll never be able to buy a Wii on a whim or an ipod nano on the fly like others do. It may be an overt complain, but I've more or less gotten used to it, and my lamenting has become more of a passing thought.
When I applied for the Tan Teck Meng Scholarship, I was required to get information on the monthly income of my parents combined. For privacy reasons, I shall not divulge it here, of all places, on the internet. My parents were uneasy telling that to me. It
was sizeable though. So where does the money go? I guess I shall know when the will has to be read.
My parents were frustrated over my two older brothers last night, and digressed to talk of the will again. My dad usually says something along the lines of "don't be surprised to see what's in the will when we finally
die" when something really frustrating occurs. I can only wonder.
And oh yes, be a good son too lah.
Don't think of it the way you might, though. Being a good son has nothing to do with the will. It's a duty us sons and daughters will never be able to fulfill. Seriously. Not some bullshit moral banter. We really won't, although it doesn't give us reason to give up trying.
posted by joseph at 5:19 PM