Ahh.. the dreams of the youths

Writer complained about rising prices, and unfulfilled dreams...
--------------------------------------
MY dreams late last year: A house, a car and a wedding to take place this year.

But now, all I am seeing are the nightmares of rising costs - in property and construction, petrol, electricity and basic necessities such as food and drinks.

And I find myself waking up bathed in perspiration after one too many debt-soaked dreams.

The car has been bought, the downpayment for the house paid with instalments knocking at my door every month and the wedding is on.

How are they making me nervous?

Take last week, for example.

I dreamt the bridal studio took some test shots which turned out great, so they suggested I buy an additional album of pictures.

The price was $1.4 million. For some reason, I was so swept away by the photos that I signed the contract.

After that I realised I had no money to pay for the package. A wave of panic washed over me.

I literally scared myself awake, with some relief.

But that was not to last too long.

Two days later, back in real life, I received my credit card bill.

Bridal studio instalment: $500.

Miscellaneous wedding stuff: $450.

Petrol for our 11/2-month-old car: $550.

Then there is the monthly instalment for the car.

CPF deductions for the house.

Wedding rings we have to buy before the (real) August photo shoot.

Furniture we haven't even started scouting for.

Future grocery bills for two.

A huge chunk of my savings stuck in the share market, which I can't sell now because of the downturn (yet again).

Such a squeeze on my heart.

Starting a new life for two has always been both exciting and expensive.

But as a child of the '80s who finally has enough disposable income to start fulfilling her dreams, it is both disconcerting and terrifying to see those dreams getting more expensive, the numbers creeping up right before my eyes.

Conversations with girlfriends now inevitably drift to how difficult it is to find a home we love and can afford.

Just four years ago, my parents upgraded to a five-room flat, which they bought for about $280,000.

Four years on, I had to pay more than $360,000 for mine, in the same estate.

Petrol prices have gone up a few times in the 11/2 months I've owned a vehicle.

And putting together a home-cooked meal now not only involves culinary skills but mathematical ones too, to compare prices between housebrands and brand-brands, frozen versus fresh meat, anything to save costs.

That was why my girlfriends' responses to my nightmare on the $1.4million were not, 'Don't be silly', but 'You are too stressed girl!'

And, 'Make sure you check the price 1.4 million times before you sign on the dotted line.'

Sometimes, it's tempting to throw caution to the wind. But the prudent self says wait.

Why not get a car only when you're 30? Live with the parents first and get your own place later?

But there's the impatient self, who is wide-eyed about dreams that have to be lived now, when you're young.

The car as the ultimate date vehicle, as opposed to baby-seat holder.

A two-person universe in your own home.

What's the use of saving it all for later, when money cannot buy back the experiences you lost along the way?

That is where it becomes so important to plan, save, prioritise and to brutally slash out the things you don't need.

Eyes on the prize: Give up something you kind of want to get that something you really want.

And hope that the power of the dreams - and checking those numbers 1.4 million times - is enough to keep away the nightmares.

From: The New Paper