Here’s a story about a man who said, ‘I could live with what is on hand’.  After high school, he went on his own and did not bother pursuing college.  He took odd jobs just enough to get him by.  There was no way he could land a good paying job of a degree holder.  He was getting by just enough until he reached the age of 35.  At that age, he started having some health problems as he did not exercise and never indulged in sports.  The ‘just enough’ income was no longer enough because of medical bills.  At this point he decided to claim income support from the government. Because of his health condition and meager income, he was able to get a little of it.

After a few more years his health condition worsened to the point that he was spending more on medical bills than his daily needs and sustenance.  The worst case was for him being fired from jobs he got into.  He had become physically incapable of the demands of the jobs.  Calling in sick frequently was the reason he was getting fired on each job.  Fortunately, each employer provided benefits as mandated by the government.

Unable to swallow his pride, he still insisted on being able to ‘live with what is on hand’.  It came to the point he could no longer pay rent and had to live in the streets.  Coming to think of it, he is a citizen of the country and is entitled to some benefits.  He sought some benefit advice from different people and sectors of the community.  With that, he was able to enjoy some benefits extended to people like him who could hardly hold a steady job. He tried to live within his means but the sad part of it, he was simply living it.  He did not have any savings or investments that could have eased off his burden.