We all are well aware of the serious financial crisis that, unfortunately, Pakistan is going through. It is a reality exposed to everyone, even the young members of the family who have nothing to do with budging and buying things.

The damage to the country’s economy has posed serious challenges to its people, including the suffocating hike in goods’ prices. Consequently, many of our elders are facing tense issues in meeting the necessities of the family. It is therefore our responsibility, as responsible children and citizens, to not only reduce the burden on our elders but also play our role in improving the economy of the country. A few ideas for doing this are listed below:

Avoid imported goods

Many of us may have studied the phenomenon of balance of trade and its impact on the economy. Well, if we prefer imported goods and increase the country’s imports by buying products from international stores, it will cause a negative balance of trade and increase the trade deficit.

Every individual needs to play his part in the economic stability and progress of the country. When thousands and millions of people will stop using imported things, their demand will automatically decline, and so will the need to import them.

Thus, we should all try to limit imports by avoiding foreign brands in clothes, gadgets and other accessories, like stationery items. Some of us might dismiss this idea saying that “It would not affect our economy.” Though, indeed, not buying single imported item may not seem like a big step, but when thousands and millions of people will stop using imported things, their demand will automatically decline, and so will the need to import them. Every individual needs to play his part in the economic stability and progress of the country.

Dismiss the peer pressure

We need to understand that peer pressure plays a pivotal role in our wishes and wants, especially in teenage life. It has been frequently observed that when any of our friends bring a ‘cool and attractive’ product, we also want our parents to buy it for us too. Sometimes it is easy, as the product is cheap and easily accessible. However, the problem comes when it is expensive and over-priced.

Consider the latest iPhone. Your friend buys it and posts it on Instagram. Now the desire to get the phone starts growing inside you also. Some of us are wise enough and dismiss the idea, but few keep on insisting until their parents are forced to buy it, even after having a low budget. This gives them financial stress, so we should control and resist peer pressure, rather than being victimised by it.

Reduce wastage

You need to not only cut down on buying things that are not a necessity, but also wisely use those that you already possess. Be responsible and try not to discard things if they are still useful or can be recycled. We are often guided by our teachers not to waste pages as it is made from trees. The same is the case of everything — they are made from raw materials, some of which are limited. So by using them wisely, you are not only saving your parents’ money, but also saving nature and resources.

A more encouraging and environment-friendly way can be if you recycle the unusable goods. You can make different things out of discarded items, such as stationery, to further reduce your need to buy them.

Remain content and satisfied

Lastly, you need to be realistic while placing your demands and setting your wishes. Analyse the pros and cons of everything and do not insist on something blindly. Also, learn to be satisfied with what you have. The race of consumerism is never-ending. If you fall into it, it will make your life stressful, leaving you with a feeling of being unsatisfied all the time, since you would be wanting what you don’t have.

Look at those who are less fortunate than you, those who work on the streets and have no homes, and thank God for the blessings you have, rather than always complaining about what you do not have.

Eckhart Tolle said: “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”

All in all, we should be thankful and happy that God has gifted us such kind parents who are ready to sacrifice their wealth to cheer up our mood.

They have formed a protective umbrella above us, securing us from the obstacles of practical life. They do not even show us the financial worries they face, so that we do not get disturbed. So, we should try to cooperate with them and compromise in such testing times.

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 18TH, 2023