This is a serious posting eventhough the title may sound funny. Tulan = is a bad word meaning ‘fed-up’.
I have long sympathise with the people who are misled into all these ‘Bayar bulan’, ‘Ansuran tanpa bunga’ marketing hype. It is an unhealthy practice. To me, it is like spend first, sure die later kinda concept.
Let’s get a little racial here. This is a fact. Whether we talk about it or not, it exists. One can see motorbikes shops in all the small towns and huge cities with this sort of marketing. Apart from bikes, there are also the electrical, home furnishings, tupperwares and a whole lot of products. Then, there are the pajak-gadais (can’t remember what it is called in English), tukar emas dengan wang, licensed money-lenders and of course, the Ah Longs or loansharks.
These shops are mostly Ah Beng Kedai Motor, Ah Seng Pajak Gadai, Ah Huat Kedai Elektrik. The Chinese are mostly frugal, being migrants. Our ancestorial roots have sort of disciplined us to spend within our means and also to save, save, save.
But with so many offers for spend now, show off now, boast now, enjoy now baits, we, the Chinese are slowly getting gullible. Many are now into living for today, with a borrowed gold credit card without a care for tomorrow. So, my question is – Are we parents instilling that frugal way of thinking to our kids? Or are we showing bad examples of living on credits?
Another topic which always remained heavy in my heart is – While the taukehs/bosses (usually Chinese) are earning more and more with these type of business, the other races are getting deeper and deeper into debts. I wonder? Will their mindset change so that they will avoid being too indebted with so many ‘bayar bulan’ purchases?
I was at a mammoth, chain stores selling home furnishing and aghast at the price disparity between a set of sofa I bought with cash (from some small, old, dipilated furniture shop) and the price they (chain stores) charged for ‘bayar bulan’ or monthly installment purchase. I hope my fellow Malaysians, of all races, will have the wisdom to spend only within their means. Don’t throw your money away (paying installment and interests) for vanity/air muka sake. The next time you find a tempting catalogue in your post box, throw them away.
Jimat cermat pasti selamat.
WOOO !!! FULL FLEDGED SUPPORT !!
Sneaky… BTW, pajak gadai is pawn shop.
I agree totally.. š
5xMom, cannot help but agreelah. Thankfully my parents taught me well. My father always said “if you don;t have the money to buy it now, either forget about it or save up to buy it in cash.” I have three credit cards (stoopid M*****K give me eventhough I never ask) but I always make sure I’m able to pay off THE ENTIRE AMOUNT off every month.
Unfortunately I see some younger colleagues in my office not so smartlah. Just started work less than a year sudah pakai kereta Waja, have the canggihest handphone, eat at Coffee Bean, buy new clothes every month. Haiya…all because of credit cards..so easy, just swipe and sign.
Along – Yalah, that kind of habit will make them terperangkap for the rest of their lives, asyik bayar endless debts.
Mrs T – Glad you agree.
Nicole – Thanks for the word. For a second, I totally tak terfikir langsung.
Chu Chai – It is going to happen and I guess not many people wants to face the fact. Buy first, die later.
Dear Lilian,
I wrote somethinga few months back touching on similar issues-you may like to have a look. š The only thing i have on instalment at the moment is my car. What to do? It is a necessity… Public transport is crap over my side of town, hence my “investment” -which probably depreciated the moment I drove it home from the shop.
I love your entries. Always humourous and full of substance. Keep it up!
ps.: May I link you?
Dear Lilian,
I wrote something a few months back touching on similar issues-you may like to have a look (http://miracle8.blogdrive.com/archive/99.html)The only thing i have on instalment at the moment is my car. What to do? It is a necessity… Public transport is crap over my side of town, hence my “investment” -which probably depreciated the moment I drove it home from the shop.
I love your entries. Always humourous and full of substance. Keep it up!
ps.: May I link you?