With the Chinese New Year just a day away, I’m sure all the uncle and aunties are ‘kancheong’ in their preparations for the new year.
“Are all the cookies ready?”
“Aiyo! Where’s your new clothes?”
“Is the house clean?”
While a lot of preparations are happening this CNY, here’s a special post on 3 lessons we can learn during this CNY. This post will be a light one; best taken when having a break from all the cleaning while test-eating your CNY cookies.
When I was a child, I would always look forward to the Chinese New Year because of all the ‘ang pows’ (that’s red packets in Chinese)! It dawned upon me that the ang pow money for a teenager is quite equivalent to receiving a bonus for the working adults. So exciting! Apart from that, there would also be that one special relative’s house that will cook the best meals of all time! CNY is officially cheat day(s) for everyone.
However, over the years, I couldn’t help but feel less excited about CNY as I grew older. Could it be due to the repetition that eventually caused boredom? I wonder. I mean, I really did wonder, and realized that there is more than just another festive season. Perhaps, some lessons we can learn this CNY.
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Be ready to give
Don’t know if you realize it but everyone is generally very generous in giving out ang pows during the festive season. Some would even intentionally approach you just to give you some money. I mean, which other day do we see this? And I can hardly recall anyone giving me an ang pow begrudgingly – they’re all cheerful givers. It’s definitely a good atmosphere of generosity to be in.
Although there will be many articles on this website about saving, investing and making the most of your money; part of good personal finance management is to have the ability to give and bless others. I guess, at the end of the day, we would all come to realize that it’s not really about the money. There’s more than the ringgit notes you’re holding onto.
There are numerous studies/articles that shows that giving is a win-win, the giver benefits and reaps happiness as much as the recipient does (here’s one). So, if you’re a giver this CNY, take joy in giving. If you’re a receiver, don’t short-change others from that joy. Be thankful!
As the purse is emptied the heart is filled. —Victor Hugo
That aside, there is another thing that we can all give this year – our time and attention.
I think one of the biggest struggles of our generation today is that we are all so easily distracted. I would say that our mobile device is the biggest root to our attention deficiency. Honestly, I fall into the trap of picking up my phone frequently while being in the midst of friends/family too. Let’s not make social media actually ruin our social life (oh how ironic!).
It may be challenging but lets put our phones aside this CNY (after taking that perfect instagram photo of course. Haha! I’m kidding).
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Honor the elderly
Based on my observation over the years, it has always been the younger generation that would be the ones traveling to the elderly’s houses for visitation. Be it visiting parents, grandparents, grand uncle or grand auntie, the young generation would go to each elderly’s home to pay respect and spend time with them.
In the aspect of personal finance, we ought to honor the elderly as well. We can honor our parents by helping them with their financial needs, give them a monthly ‘allowance’ or even contribute to the household expenditure. The amount need not be a lot, as long as it’s within your means to give. Besides, I’m sure parents would appreciate the thought more than the amount.
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you – Exodus 20:12
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Family > money
It is hilarious how a majority of CNY commercials would always have the same theme. You know, it’s about a working adult being too busy with work and decides he isn’t going back for the CNY meal (cause you know, work is life!). Somewhere in the middle of the video he would come to the realization, “what is cny without being with my family?”. Then he rushes back (adds dramatic background music) – he makes it back in time for dinner – family happy – the end. Right? Okay maybe not. There’s more variations to the CNY commercials these days with added creativity (thumbs up to that!).
Nevertheless, the theme has always been the same. It’s always about the family. It’s amazing how family members from all over the world would usually make time to come back for CNY. Paying hefty flight tickets, take leave from their jobs and travel the distance to go back to their hometowns to be with their families. The cost incurred to be with our families are definitely worth it because family > money.
I’m all about mastering my finances and I believe it is crucial but at the end of the day, it’s being with your family and loved ones that matters most. I’ve deducted that having all the money in the world will not bring you happiness unless you have your loved ones to enjoy it with. Don’t miss this, it is family > money.
In Closing
With all that being said, I would like to wish all of you readers a Happy Chinese New Year! Gong Xi Fa Chai! Have a great and enjoyable time with your family and loved ones. If you’re receiving ang pows this year, go collect them all!
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