Money money money, it's so funny.

The economy looks dismal. I don't profess to be particularly interested in news abt finance and i definitely don't know the intricate details abt which bank bought over which. However, i think i hear enough and read enough simple english to know that economy is looking bad nowadays.

strange how i never ever worried abt such things. last time as a student, i couldn't be bothered to keep abreast of finance/politics unless i need to write a GP essay on it. my parents used to chide me for not reading more of the newspaper instead of just life, comics, exciting crimes, etc. Now that i'm eligible to cast votes (not that i get to... walkover leh!) and actually need to support myself with my own income, i naturally become more interested in these news.

My heart did jump a beat when i saw how AIG was in a crisis. I've been dutifully paying my premiums to AIA thinking "oh good... now i've insurance to cover me if something bad happens." Although my good ol' financial planner kept me updated with sms and email updates to reassure me that my insurance cover will not be in danger due to AIG crashing, i can't help but realize in this volatile environment, nothing is truly insured and safe.

A consultant i was talking to that day brought up a very good point. Money is not like crops which can grow from a tiny seed. Money is finite in this world and cannot be created. Whoever wins a fortune, someone else must've lost miserably. Interesting thought...

At a time like this, i'm really thankful i've an iron rice bowl (i.e. bond). Somewhere out there, millions of ppl are becoming jobless thanks to this downturn of the economy. Someone said this abt our profession. Our job is such that we won't earn so much to have a super luxurious lifestyle but we also won't starve to death in times of financial crises, cos ppl will always be sick whether rich or poor.

Still, i think it's probably wise to watch our belts during this time. Cut down on expenses and try to save more. Nothing beats having real hard cash that you can use in times of need. Money in investments can actually turn into naught anytime!