Running Myself

Forcing myself to start tracking my expenditure right down to the cents. From both bahts to ringgits, I had decided that in order to better manage whatever little monies I have, I have to keep a hawk's eye over my personal finances.

Having the chance to look over some corporate finances for the past few months also somehow influenced me to do so. Then, I had the chance to view how the finances of a corporation, not large though, was being tracked. Every cent was accounted for and every expenditure was justified, well almost. I was able to see the yearly estimations, the expenditure, the details breakdown in expenditure. In all, I was practically given the first hand tutorship on how a corporate finance is run. I was inspired.

I had always thought that my personal expenditure is spiraling out of control. I feel that I am always buying things that I don't need, especially from the supermarkets. And since I don't have an income, this is really a worrisome behaviour. My monthly allowance barely sees any substantial balance come month end which could be called savings. Yet, when I look around, there's nothing to show from all my purchases. Except, fat, if one could be proud of that.

Thence, the birth of my very own corporation, myself. Running my finances like how I had been tutored in, noting the purpose of each and every satang and at certain times, sen, and tracking it down. I stop short of creating vouchers or official documents as how companies would, for traceability. Perhaps, if there's a need, I would introduce it later, but certainly not now.

Discipline is really important in this exercise. One really has to try to abandon the thought that our memory will not fail when it comes to remembering what we spent on. I know I have to change my school of thought on that. Everything is track now, in file. With Office, everything is made simpler.

So far, in this first month of running my company, it has been smooth. I tried to backdate as much as possible, especially in terms of noting down the movement of the monies but I resigned to the fact that accuracy can only start this month. The rest are just estimates.

My biggest challenge is yet to come, when I fly back this weekend for a friend's wedding. I know I have to continue to this exercise diligently but I don't plan to bring my trusty laptop, where this is written now and files are being kept, so I'm currently formulating alternative plans on how to continue this. I might have to just make do with the notebook in the phone. Furthermore, being at home is really like going on holiday. I always OVERSPEND on these occasions. There is always a someone to treat, a dinner to partake, a present to get, a something to buy to bring over.

Diligence is the key, if you want to manage your finances successfully. And I would love to have that.