Sowetan

Promises by political parties don ’ t boost your bank balance

- MONEY PSYCHOLOGY dom Thedream@winniekune­ne.co.za

TWENTY-TWO years ago, you were politicall­y set free, hence you celebrated Freedom Day last week. But the question is, are you free where it counts the most – your bank balance? Political promises will not better your life. Respect your job or business by managing your money wisely.

Our political freedom is hollow when 22 years later you are still broke and in debt. If you are still waiting for a pipe dream of politician­s to bring economic freedom to your doorstep, you might have to make it a lifetime career to wait.

Yes, you are politicall­y free, but when are you going to be economical­ly free? Have you finally realised that the so-called “economic emancipati­on” you voted for and were so passionate­ly promised during political campaigns is not here yet?

Has your salary or bank balance changed significan­tly in the past 10 years? Let me be kind and ask this: has your financial life changed in the last five years? If not, why and when is that going to happen?

Here’s the thing: all political parties promise more or less the same things. They all claim to have your interest at heart. If that is the case, then whatever these organisati­ons are promising to do for you, it has to translate into a better bank balance which gives you a better life.

A better life means you have sustainabl­e work to do and you are getting paid regularly enough to sustain your family. Please understand that I am not expecting you to have millions in the bank – just the normal basics. Sadly, I don’t see much of that either. All I see is broken promises, empty bank accounts and no jobs.

It saddens me to see family men sitting on the street corners of Johannesbu­rg hoping that someone will pick them up for a day’s wage. I respect them for waking up every morning, plucking up enough courage to go find work even when their hopes are dim some days.

On the brighter side of life, I do however see very successful BB-BEE deals for a chosen few, and I also see the super-rich getting even more seriously rich. Some are so rich their money can feed thousands of people daily just on interest earned alone. The poor seem to be sinking into a deep, dark hole and the socalled middle class is drowning in debt because they are trying to live like the rich. Nothing better is going to happen until you start minding your own finance politics.

Yes, vote and pay your taxes but expect nothing after that. Your economic emancipati­on should include a search for ways of making your greatest wealth, which is you, to be better. You should be improving and adding skills and find ways to double or triple your income.

Have one big goal in mind: to be free from debt because debt makes you a sophistica­ted slave. When you owe so much that you are unable to live during the month, then it’s no good for you. So don’t be and wait for politician­s, instead you must wisen up and make your own life better.

Breathe the air of economic freedom by getting out of debt, manage your money wisely and learn how you can earn more money and let it work for you.

 ??  ?? FINANCE POLITICS: The writer is asking if your salary or bank balance has changed significan­tly since you first voted 22 years ago
FINANCE POLITICS: The writer is asking if your salary or bank balance has changed significan­tly since you first voted 22 years ago
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