Ten- dollar Coin
What is the use of ten dollars in Hong Kong these days? Not much! If it is the coin, people even refrain from putting it in the red packet as laisee. Instead, the ten-dollar note is used.
I have just checked the public transport fares online and discovered that ten dollars are definitely not enough for a cross-harbour round trip. The bus fare from Kennedy Town to Kwun Tong is $9.80. An MTR ride from Central to Tseung Kwan O is $12.70. With the wide use of the stored value Octopus Card and the automatic reloading via our credit-card account, we become unaware of what we are paying each time when we commute unless we pay particular attention.
It is almost possible to go cashless in Hong Kong. We pay with our Octopus Card at supermarkets, convenience stores, supermarkets, chain fast-food restaurants and plenty more sales points. Those who drive well know that for many parking lots, cash is not accepted. Besides the smart card, we also use credit cards to accumulate points in return for flight mileage or cash rebates.
While enjoying all the convenience, we have to remain cool-headed and not over-spend. Resorting to making only the minimum payment at the end of the month is the beginning of a one-way trip to degradation. Keeping an itemized account of our expenses is a good exercise to monitor our expenditure. I have been doing this for several years. It doesn’t take up too much time. An Excel spreadsheet will do. But it does hold back my insatiable desire for more.
Four slices of bread can cost $8.50 at one bakery but only $4.50 at another. I have to rationalize to myself if these extra four dollars do make a difference. When the answer is negative, I choose the cheaper one. I want to maximize my money! Call me thrifty if you want!
