A Secret Wish I have for every married Woman Out there

My Secret wish List....By Preeti Shenoy.
I would like to thank her for writing such a book.Its beautiful yet too bold sometimes.Its true to an extent!! By true I mean that few things that are written in the book I have seen and experienced them.
              The life of a typical Indian girl:
                        She is born.And that itself is recieved differently.Few celebrate and rejoice while few curse the mother and consider themselves so unlucky. (FYI I feel like punching such jerks ) Then her struggle starts.Lets name our girls Anuhya and Anjali.Anuhya is the one whose birth is celebrated and Anjali is the one who is considered extra burden for her family.
                                                 Anuhya is the apple of her dad's eye.She was sent to a very nice school and college.She was told to focus on her education and not to think of anything else.She finished her graduation and got a decent job.Though her parents didnt ask her to ,she wanted to be independent and wanted to work.Her wish was granted.After a year or so,they started searching a decent guy for her.She got married into a nice family

What Being rich Means !!!

How True!!!

I have always felt that richness is not about money or posessions .But after watching this The feeling just grew Stronger.
                   There was a young man who truly cared for others.He was a part time priest and a teacher by profession.He came from a middle class family where he had to support his family members settle down.He was very punctual and loyal.Then he got married to a young girl who was oblivious of all the things she has to face.One look at her and he understood how innocent and young she is.But his hands were tied up to say anything.She came into the family and went through all the hardest phases without breaking down.They were perfect for each other.Time flew by.By the time his siblings had settled well and he moved out with her,they already had  kids.
                      The house was always filled with laughter and joy.He was a charmer and not ony his kids but the kids around also loved him.She was a happy house wife.They lived in a small beach town in their own home ,nearby to a temple.One warm day,he took her out and asked her how she is feeling.All she could do was smile.Her happiness was apparent.Then he told her that he wanted her to do something for him and for herself.She said she would try to do it no matter what.And after he told her what he wanted her to do, she was just shocked.It was impossible for her to do it with three kids running around and all the household work.He silently promised himself that he would help her do it no matter what.

                        Kids were growing up .He was a government teacher.And he always gave her only one part of his salary to manage all the expenses.Remaining part she never knew what happened nor did she think of asking.She considered him a  god.He never told her either.It was just like they understood even the silence.He never spent money on luxuries which pissed of his teenage sons and they were always fighting,sulking about what happens to the money and how much they have in bank and all such matters.But he chose to take it all and remained calm.It hurted her to see him being insulted by his own kids but she couldnt say anything to anyone.
                        Now the three gentlemen,who grew up to be nice yet strong people got married and settled down in a city far from home.It was just him and her in their own home.They had the best time of their life.They used to wake up early.Sit for sometime watching the beautiful sunrise.Later she would get him coffee and he will read to her the newspaper.There was this old model easychair and a small chair.He used to sit on the easychair and she would listen to him sitting on the small chair.They will have breakfast together.Then he would go to temple and she would start cleaning the home and preparing lunch.Once he's back from temple,they willl have lunch together.Later after a nap both of them would go for a walk in the beach.Then they will talk about their three sons,one lovely daughter of her sister whom they were attached to more than their sons and he would then sing songs,ask her puzzles and make her laugh.So happy they were together.

              Every summer,their house would be full of kids waiting to play,talk,and just stay with grandpa.He was one awesome guy.At that stage he invested in a private bank lot of money.Hard-Earned money.And he told her that she can take it anytime she wants to.It was a joint account.She was never bothered about anything.Even though he was old,the love he carried and the gentleness in him were ten times to what she knew.All the people in that small town respected the couple.They would visit the city once a while.But the little town was their home and they longed to come back.
                   After few years,one sad day,he passed away in his sleep.She was dumb for all the world she knew till then was him.Just him and her sons.Sons had wives and they were not compatible.Their daughter stood by her and helped her overcome the grief.Then another news just struck her like lightning.The bank he invested in is a bogus one.She had become so strong in his company that she didnt even notice how boldly she took it all.All she had was his monthly pension money and their home.
                      After few months,two gentlemen visited her.They introduced themselves as the bank manager's sons and told her that their father wanted to give her back the money her husband deposited.She was so surprised and asked them whether they are giving everyone's money back.They told her that their father couldnt live knowing that he cheated the teacher .So they are giving only her.She was dumb again.They gave her the money and left.
                      After a week or so,one day a bunch of school kids and teenagers visited her and thanked her for all the things teacher did for them.He used to pay their fees and teach them after school.They were all poor kids and orphans in the next village.The next day,while she was sitting in the beach,an old lady approached her thanking her on behalf of the teacher.He had helped her marry off her daughter.And day after day she met so many people he had helped.
                     And the one thing he asked her to do those many years back.He asked her to read again.To finish the exams.He stood by her.He  helped her with all the chores and personally sat with her while exams were near.She was now a literate.More than that she is now a blessed human being.
                         She is so thankful that he was there with her and is surprised and proud of all the good work he did with such secrecy.Not once did he tell her that he did something good.
               It hurts her that she cant live with her kids or grandchildren but more than that,She doesnt want to leave the place they lived together.Every month,one son will visit her for a week.She sometimes travels to the city but soon comes back home.
                   

It surprises and thrills me how one can be so selfless and how one can be so pious.He was a great father.He taught his kids all the values.He was an awesome and lovely grandpa and more than that the best betterhalf.He is an ideal human being just like the lord he worshipped.
                                         
                                          If everyone were like him.Not even like him.Only if we were 2% of what he is then our world would definitely be a much better place.The world will be full of hope,kindness and happiness.
                     He did all he could.He helped those who needed help.But he didnt neglect his responsibilities either.He just controlled his luxuries a bit and did his bit.He even considered that a responsibility.How many of us can do it!!!Let alone do it,how do we define richness!?

                         Most of us define richness as the  material posession and bank balance one has.People are respected and considered depending on how much they earn.how much they have.Arent we foolish!! Is that being rich all about.What will we do being rich!! Ok.We will secure the future we are unaware of.But apart from that,how much do we really think about others?! Just a minute of contemplation about whom we can help within our limitations.I am sure each one of us can help atleast one more human being.And after helping out,the satisfaction we get is priceless.Happiness is the only thing that doubles when shared.
                                      Giving money to someone isnt the only way to help.Spending a little time with others who need it might just be a life saver for them.Many people in our country are left alone.Just making them feel that they too have a friend can make a lot of difference.But Please dont behave like few guys who help just to get some credit.Being selfless for even few moments makes us better human beings.Its ok if you still do it for credit though if you are spreading a smile. :P

To give and To Share .Thats the purpose of life.

P.S: I know both of them and I adore them a lot.
       I am not a member of any spiritual centres nor do I believe in spirituality.
       But I believe that it takes little to be rich at heart.
       I have questioned my conscience while writing this and I know am helping out in my own way.

                                 

Why you shouldnt think of saving much before turning 23

Hmmm... So one day a lovely lady whom I work with forwarded a mail that said : Why you shouldn't withdraw from PF before 5 years- Good to know (For those of you who would like to read the article,I have included it at the end :) ). My parents supported the idea so much that finally I had to do it.

                            And I seriously started thinking about saving. Its been few months since I started working and my account was almost empty.I have even borrowed  big money from my father ( Shameless!!! I know).And am clueless on how I spent each rupee .I had even borrowed some from a dear brother ( returned it soon though) and am still indebted to a dear friend .After salary gets credited to my account, I somehow can find money in my account for almost just a week( Thats maximum till now).After that boom.....I keep on waiting for the  next month. My dad had pondered over this so much that finally he stopped asking me questions and ordered me just to open a certain account and deposit the amount he found reasonable every month.Believe me,if you are below 23,you surely might think its too much to be called reasonable.D'oh !!! And he is hell bent on it. So I considered making a chart of my expenses so that I can somehow convince him that its all not entirely spent on me.  To my horror, I found out that half of my salary every month was spent on buying clothes for my family.And a lil for myself too.But C'mon how can I not buy for myself when am buying for so many people!!!!?

I really believe that apart from the savings you have to do to get away from paying tax,There's no need to save before you turn 23 ( can be extended till you are married) .

I would suggest you to discontinue reading any further if you don't agree with me :P .

Well here goes my numero uno reason:
You dont know what's in store for you.So why pile up!?

I dint mean to scare anyone here.If you are married you might exactly understand this part.
If you aren't then you better understand this.Your better half might be so supportive,sweet and might allow you to fulfil all your wishes even after marriage.Then you are one lucky soul.But you should also be prepared for the worst.What if that person isn't willing to let you pursue all your dreams,aspirations!? Well you cant let your life to stop then and there.And considering how family comes first before you in our society, it wont harm to let your wild self have some fun before you get hitched.So take up all your dreams one by one and live them.And go out,buy the  things you always wanted to,try out all the things you wanted to.....Bring it on!!!Just live TODAY.

Anyways once you are married,you should save regardless of what you have to do or what you want to do.Responsibility is a boon then.You save to secure your future.You save to secure your child's future.You save to secure what and all you can and whom and all you can. Its not that you just save and not spend. You can spend but it wont be the same like spending when you are single. Somehow you would check on how much and what you are spending twice. That will be the new YOU .

So,lets talk about the benefits of saving too.And I would like to talk about that too.

What if you lose your job!! How your expenses are taken care of then!!!
Hmmmm this is the main reason many of my friends are saving. ;)  This you should definitely be prepared for.You can go home and have some peace time with family , Provided they wont ask you everyday why it happened and whats next and whether you need some money. If you are sure somehow that they wont ask you the last part and if you can manage throughout the questionnaire,you needn't worry now. Otherwise my dear please please save yourself.You might even think of options even if you aren't willing to save- cousins,friends. And please pay them back once you start earning. Its OK.Friends and cousins are our personal banks. :) :) And please my dear elders,don't judge us with this.You cant imagine the rappo we share after we exchange cash. :D And we are cool with all these transfers. :P

What if some emergency arises!!! How will you manage!?
You can always find a way out.You are young and smart and loyal.If not,you would be having such a friend or cousin to find out from.There's nothing bad in depending on them for a lil while. Tomorrow you too might become sucha person for someone like u .Lets start this mentor ship ;).

What if your background doesnt allow you to spend so leisurely and you have to take up responsibilities!?
Then,you should definitely not consider my article and save as much as you can.But I would like to suggest you one thing as a friend.Please make sure to do at least one thing you always wanted to do before its too late for such things.

What if you are emotionally blackmailed to save!!!?
Then its OK honey....You cant help coz nobody can get away with E.B. We have to find a way through that too.Hopefully soon we will be able to.I am all ears for someone who can actually find out a practical way that works through.Save as little as you can :) AM with you on this.


So,it looks like we have to depend on someone most of the cases if we wont save.
Hmmm.... does it bother you!!!! Grow up dumbo....Its OK....Make sure your people will support you in such situations and then don't stop..........Is it wrong to spend for the things you always wanted to do like buying branded stuff,those books you always wanted to buy,those places you wanted to explore,the crazy wild things you wanted to do since you were a kid.No.It never is.

YOLO Make it the best life you can ever ask for.

P.S:
This post is only for those who are below 25(NOT MARRIED) and have dreams and things to do in mind.I cant help those who don't have such plans with their life.
 I don't even believe in saving for tax exemption.
 Please don't tell my parents about this.(better if you keep this post away from any Parent)
 If you are planning to follow this ,You are solely responsible for that.Don't sue me later. I am not an expert.
You will soon realise that you need to earn more to fulfil your wishes. ;)

I will never ever provide you the link  you have been looking for :D huhahahahah I cant encourage such harmful ideas ;)