To upkeep ones image

Lately I have been wondering, what is the value of Face again.

Came to know of a close friend whom appeared to be earning well but is sadly in the biggest debt.

He dresses well when we meet. Comes zooming down the street in his sporty wheels. And we always seems to find the classy place to go to. It seems like he is in fact earning well and in the capacity of taking off to Europe for a long vacation.

Yet sadly, this is far from the truth.

Sometime back, I blog abt the poverty cycle which one of my dear buddy was going thru. That dude comes from a poor family and without much education, could barely make ends meet.

In no doubt, my buddy is the one whom truly needs the support more.

Whereas my close friend's desire to upkeep his lifestyle and image have cost him dearly. It started from end 2008 when the stock market crashes. The job he was holding has left him with little income. This led him to fall back onto his savings and they didnt last very long. Months later, with savings depleted, the next time is to spend money which you dont have yet.

All credit card company, happily offer a credit line. "Take what you need, they say. Pay them back later, no hurry there." Dont forget about our fine print. So when the times come to pay back, what did he do? Well get from another credit line to pay back this.

The start of a declining spiral grows and the image falls apart. Depression and anxiety sets in. Chances are taken at the lottery, without much result. The free times are spend at home, with the excuse that he is tired and not keen to meet up.

When I found him, his image still shows the confident. However, it didnt take long for me to uncover the massive debts he is in. I ask him to consolidate the massive figures. I have to see what they are. And like the colors of wallstreet in late 2008, the redness of his debts shows.

Looking at him, I reprimanded him that things have to change. He is not a kid and doesnt need a harsh scolding. Still he needs someone to tell him off now, as a reminder for the future.

After which, its to the bank I went.