“Teacher, could you lend me fifty thousand VND for milk for baby Tit? My husband will bring it back this afternoon!” Ms. Hanh – a preschool teacher with over 10 years of experience – said breathlessly to me when she unexpectedly visited my house on a scorching noon. Looking at her flustered appearance, I felt both sympathetic and amused. Here’s the story…
Kindergarten year-end ceremony with teachers and children
Ms. Hanh is a great teacher, loved by parents and respected by colleagues. But she is quite “out of it” when it comes to money matters. With a meager salary and a husband working as a factory worker, plus two young children, her family’s finances are always “stretched thin.”
That day, her class organized a picnic for the children. At lunchtime, she was horrified to discover she had forgotten her wallet at home. She only had twenty thousand VND in her pocket. Dozens of children in the class, what could she do?
In that urgent situation, she suddenly remembered my family’s rest house located near the picnic area. That’s how Ms. Hanh ended up “showing her face” to “borrow money urgently” from me.
After listening to her story, I both chuckled and sympathized. Ms. Hanh’s story reminded me of a proverb from our ancestors: “Get rich with friends, get prosperous with a wife.” Even as a preschool teacher – a job that requires meticulousness and thoughtfulness – managing personal finances in everyday life is extremely important.
So, what should preschool teachers do to avoid falling into “funny and sad” situations like Ms. Hanh?
According to Dr. Nguyen Van A – a preschool education expert – in his book “The Art of Personal Financial Management,” he emphasizes: “Regardless of income level, having a reasonable spending plan is extremely necessary, especially for those working in the education sector.”
Here are some tips for preschool teachers:
- Create a clear spending plan: List fixed monthly expenses such as rent, food, children’s tuition, etc. From there, determine the amount of money that can be saved and spent flexibly.
- Limit emotional shopping: Prioritize items that are truly necessary, avoid indulging in emotional shopping or chasing trends.
- Seek additional income sources: In addition to your main job, you can look for part-time jobs that match your abilities and free time to improve your income.
- Learn financial management knowledge: Participate in courses, read newspapers and books on personal financial management to improve your knowledge and skills in managing money effectively.
Lessons from small stories
Ms. Hanh’s story, though “funny and sad,” is a valuable lesson in personal financial management. Hopefully, this article will help preschool teachers – the ones who nurture the seeds for the future generation – gain more useful knowledge to manage their personal finances effectively, thereby feeling secure in their work and having a truly comfortable and happy life.
In addition, you can refer to other helpful articles on our website such as: module 4 for continuous professional development in preschool education and Huong Tram kindergarten.
Please share your story and discuss with us in the comments section below!
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