If money ceases to be an issue, life would be so much more meaningful...

I'd love to say money's not important to me but the truth is the complete opposite.

From birth till adulthood, we've chalked up a huge chunk of debts owed to our parents without feeling the slightest pinch. Now, at the start of our careers, the reality hits: Utility bills, tuition loan, some extra allowance for mom, transport costs, meals, computer installments, housing loan, etc. And what about money we need for meals with friends? Entertainment costs? The occasional shopping? Overseas trips?

And did I mention we still need to save up for rainy days, housing renovations, wedding (if ever), car (if ever) and eventually retirement?

I get depressed pretty much every time I think about my financial situation. Is life going to stay this way forever? Will I continue to squeeze with thousands of people on the trains and buses every day because I can't afford to splurge on taxi rides everywhere? (And mind you, Singapore's taxi fares are one of the lowest in developed nations!) Will I continue to pick chicken over fish at the cai fan stall because fish costs at least a dollar more? Will I ever be able to provide for my parents adequately in their later years? Will I ever think of my job as a vocation and not a means of survival?

I know odd job labourers or factory workers earning much less can support an entire family. Even without high educational qualifications, our parents have managed to feed and clothe us and put us all the way through university. I berate myself for complaining but yet...

Are our wants really excessive? I hardly think I'm a materialistic person by most measures but yet life just feels difficult at times. Sometimes by mid-month, I'm already scraping the bottom of the pot.

Living in Singapore really sucks at times. And I'm feeling the heat more than ever now.