Booooooo K

Recently saw a hoarding in Mumbai, about some school claiming to be the first in Mumbai to have iPads instead of textbooks. I scoffed at the idea, thinking this is just another one of those ultra rich stupidities.

Cut to yesterday, when I went to buy my sons school books for the new academic year.  Was actually shocked to see the total amount I had to shell out for the books. The book seller was telling me that these books are still ok, one schools three books cost more than your sons all the books.

Now to think of it, seriously iPad or even a tablet will be a better option. Atleast the kids can use it for 3-4 years, ibooks can be loaded on them. Saves me money, saves paper, saves trees.

Aakaash an initiative by the Government of India failed, for whatever reasons, low cost, low production, whatever …but not a bad idea. Technology has progressed, we should also progress with it.  Maybe schools should adopt this system of iBooks.

Till then I will continue being spooked by the spiralling cost of text books. Whenever I see my sons textbooks….they seem to be scaring me by saying Booooooooooooo ….!!!

Living within ones means

There is an old saying in Hindi….”Pair itne hi failane chahiye jitni chaddar ho”, to which lately I am hearing a retort….”To kya….hum chaddar badalkar badi chaddar odh lenge”.

Not a bad idea, but then one needs to spend extra dough on the “badi chaddar” and also maintaining that “chaddar”

The point being…while you are being asked to live within your means, think wisely before putting your money in something which will increase your expense. It is easier to say we can do it….but implementing it in the right way and coming out of the mess is very important, you shouldnt be digging a grave so deep that you die in it.

I have always said, people wear masks, and why not, how many people would be interested in seeing your troubled faces daily. A smiling face to fight off the current situation is always good. But then when that Mask becomes a Lie, when you start using that Mask as a shield for influencing, or gaining certain favors, it is time to stop.

Time is a big turner, it can change without you even knowing it. But to tide over that time, during financial difficulties, is very important. That is where the saying comes in. The length of your bedsheet can change with time…when times are tougher deal with your expenses accordingly, when times are better, deal with your expenses but at the same time remembering that you cannot predict your future.

Just random thoughts today, which I am not sure a reader might agree or not…but nevertheless…posting it on the blog…..

Cost of owning a car

Technorati Tags: Car,EMI,Loan,expenses,fuel

Got a mail stating that my Car Insurance is expiring soon. Made me once again realize how fast a year flies. Also reminded me of the words of a Gentleman who has been a guide to our family since years.

Once we both had purchased our cars around the same period, if I remember correctly this was around 12 years back. We were both discussing our respective cars when his words of wisdom started flowing in.

According to him, the best way to purchase a car is on installments, for according to him, where else will you get a loan at such a low rate of interest and also benefit in your taxes. However he had a word of caution over there. While getting the loan is easy, one should also have other factors in mind. According to him, in two to three years, you need to change your car battery, then depending on your usage change the tyres, annual expense of maintaining and servicing the car, normal expenses over wear and tear of the car, annual premium of Insurance, the worst case scenario of major accidental expense on the car, and last but not the least….the fuel expenses.

He said one should average these all costs over five years of usage of the car and add the amount to the EMI to understand if one is making the right choice while going in for the loan or no. The car should not become a white elephant for you.

Well buying a car is the easiest thing ever today….but do calculate the actual Cost of Owning the Car……