A child's perspective: Managing money

Gulf News reader Kehkashan Basu has found a way to make good use of her pocket money - charity.

As children, we are seldom exposed to money because our parents always take care of it. However, I realised its importance when my mother took me to visit Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India.

I was greatly disturbed to see the plight of the homeless and their poverty moved me to tears. Till then, I had assumed that the comforts I enjoyed were available to all children and it was an eye opener for me when I found out that it wasn't so.

My mother explained that poverty could be eradicated if we spent money thoughtfully and also if we shared what we had. I immediately decided to save my pocket money and donate it to charity.

After returning to Dubai, I visited a local charity - Beit Al Khair Society - and they gave me a takeaway saving bank to fill and return. The procedure I follow is quite simple: I don't spend my pocket money on the most expensive book or toy. I rather settle for cheaper alternatives. What I save goes into the bank.

Now, my bank is almost full and I look forward to the day when I will be able to hand it over! My only regret is that I didn't start earlier but I am glad that I finally did.

I realised that saving should become a habit and sharing our good fortunes is a duty that we must adhere to. I have shared my experience with some of my friends, and I hope it catches on.

Nowadays, I always ask myself the following three questions before I spend my pocket money:
1) Do I need it?
2) If yes, do I need it now or can it wait?
3) If not, can I make do with a little less?

This has resulted in me being able to get more value for my pocket money. Every drop makes an ocean and if we join hands, every dirham we save can add up to a sea of wealth for all to enjoy. I think saving a coin a day could have kept global recession away!

- The reader is a grade four pupil at The Millennium School in Dubai and a Community Reporter for Gulf News