First Pay Packet

The first pay packet means so much to an individual. Its money earned out of one's own efforts.

I remember my first pay packet and what I did with it.

I had earned Rs.70/- in a part time job in the year 1973 when I was 19 years old. Since I was also a student studying for my Diploma in Secretarial Practice, I was in need of a table lamp to study long into the night.

I headed straight to an electrical shop in the Sultan Bazar area in Hyderabad to buy a dark pink table lamp which was an adjustable one. I was very thrilled with the first purchase from my own money. The rest of it went towards house expenses.

Today my sons handed me their first contributions from their pay towards running the home. I felt so thrilled. Hope they realize it means so much to me and their father. I accepted only 60% of their income so that they are left with 40% to do what they wished with their money.

I had two minds whether to accept any money at all from them but decided it is better they contributed a portion towards expenses as that would make them more responsible towards the family and later they will not have issues while running their own families.

I have noticed how some individuals have always thought twice about giving part of their earnings for household expenses. I think that is very selfish and amounts to taking it for granted that parents are always there to spend for them and they have only rights and no responsibilities whatsoever.

Shouldering of such responsibilities is what makes men out of boys (and women out of girls).

Cheers!
Mahalakshmi