The celebrity's 5 years old daughter who owns over 100 pairs of shoes worth over S$200K!

Dearest Ashley & Abby,

Mummy couldn't believe my eyes when I read the article on the celebrity's 5 years old girl who owns over 100 pairs of shoes worth S$200,000!

Mummy has 20 pairs of shoes and Abby has 6 pairs of shoes. I already feel it is an extravagant especially after chatting with one mother of 5 children who only buys shoes for her children when the shoes is worn out. Each child of hers has only one pair of shoes. Her sister who is my age, has six children and she never organized any birthday parties for her kids. She would buy a birthday cake for each one of them to celebrate with the family. The amazing thing is they all come from well-to-do families and yet they are still very prudent about their spending. We have a lot to learn from their thrity virtue.

That reminds me of my own parents. When we were young, we worn pass-down shoes and clothes, never eat out or go for any vacation. It was through their prudence virtue, they supported their 3 precious daughters through universities. We must not forget that. Still remember the story of Aunty Pat's Mummy? She brought up 9 children by selling noodles in school canteen. The morale of the story is, "It is not how much you earn but how much you save that matters at the end of the day."

My Mum always teaches us,"The flower will not always be red." What that means is we must save up for rainy days.

There is a famous Chinese saying, "富不过三代" meaning Fortune will not last three generations. Why? The first generation worked hard to accumulate the wealth. The first generation sometimes "over-compensated" the 2nd generation with what they did not have when they were young. Thus, the 2nd generation has no sense of money value and lack the skill to build upon the wealth. When come to the 3rd generation, the wealth is depleted by the 2nd generation. Mummy has a dear friend who happens to be the 3rd generation. You could tell he used to come from rich family because his hundreds of childhood photos' background was his Grandfather's bungalow, maids and big cars. It was a big blow for him as his Dad squandered the wealth away. My friend had to work as driver, waiter and other odd jobs to see himself through University. The fall from riches is devastation for him but fortunately, he looked beyond the past and worked hard for his future. He is now a successful man with a wonderful family.

Upon reflection, I decided we as a family should be more prudent in our spending. We'll still have birthday parties but at a smaller scale, no more Mac or Globe Trotters birthday parties with Magician; we'll buy shoes, clothes or stuff on a need-be basis and eat out less. However, we'll still go for our year-end vacation.

You will appreciate what your parents have done for you. We rest assured you that we will support you through universities like our parents, if we as a family, do the right thing.

Love,
Mummy Dearest