Winning Entries
in Junior English

• Grand Award

  Heather Ko Marymount secondary school

  Every. Dollar. Counts. As someone who's never received pocket money save for the annual red packets, I'm quite the cautious customer. How did I lose most of my life savings in two weeks?

  It's exam season and everyone's late. We're in a cab, and as a gullible freshman I agreed to pay for everyone… and every trip after that. I managed to scrape by, but the following month was harsh as I paid for all my outdoor expenses. Such is the importance of financial management.

  Us students have loads of needs and acquiring them may be difficult for the financially challenged. Use the "50/30/20" rule, a widely popular savings plan among high school students, and prioritise your needs. Smart purchasing can do a lot and there's much to scavenge online—most of my study materials are second-hand and cost a trifle.

  Passion and interest is a powerful blend. I started writing fairytales to evoke reader positivity, and now I'm a monthly columnist in the Joyful Vanguard at 14 years. Start small and maximise side hustles. Thrift a few clothes, do some online art or make a podcast. It could really give your funds a boost! Demands are sky-high for new talents, you just have to get out there!

  Adulthood is coming and it's time to excise all potential. Grow your talents and look for opportunities: scholarships, internships, handsome cash awards… the things you learn could be be huge investments for your financial situation in the long run!

• 1st Runner-up

  Rian Yip St. Paul's College

  "This can't be looking any better," I murmured to myself and clicked the "purchase" button. A 50k glittery teletubby figure just became mine!

  Suddenly, there was some ultra-bright flashlight and a man that looked like my father came from nowhere. He shouted, "No! You WILL REGRET THIS FINANCIAL DECISION! I know you had bread for two months to save money for this, but the excitement is only temporary! You are simply too short sighted!"

  "How do you know all these?" I was puzzled.

  He replied, "I am you, just twenty years older, and wiser. I have to stop myself from becoming a shopaholic who buys useless stuff like this."

  I argued, "What if it is worth more when I resell it, then it's a good investment!"

  He rolled his eyes, "Seriously? This will grow by leaps and bounds? You should invest in yourself instead, like in your health and have some proper lunch. Next time when you want to buy something, just wait for a few days. This is called delayed gratification, an amazing strategy."

  I said, "But all of my friends and classmates are spending money like this too, why should I change?"

  The future me laughed and became transparent, "Then you'll become a millionaire and they won't. The earlier you start managing your money and investing in yourself, the better!" Then he disappeared into thin air!

  I was still confused, but decided to find the refund button on the website. Time will tell if he's right.

• 2nd Runner-up

  Disha Deepak Shetty HKMA David Li Kwok Po College

  As Warren Buffett once said, "The best investment you can make is in yourself."

  Having financial acumen from early on will hold one in good stead throughout their life. I remember learning an unforgettable lesson in Primary Six. After school, I squandered all the money in my wallet to buy snacks only to realise that I had no money left to go home. Finally, my father had to pick me up. From that day forth, I have always ensured that I keep my expenses in constant check.

  It is never too early to acquire financial management skills. Setting up a budget and prioritising your expenses play a crucial role in managing your finances, and avoiding splurging to a great extent. It helps to focus on your important needs rather than your wants. I manage my budget by tracking and monitoring my expenses and jotting them down in my diary. Using free expense planner apps can make us more aware of our spending habits.

  I invest my time to study hard and achieve good grades to earn a scholarship to a university. I have also been saving a small amount from my weekly allowance. Conducting tuitions for primary students is an option I am looking at. I can thus partially support my higher studies. The crux of the matter is, the more you invest in yourself, the greater the return on investment. Therefore, it is imperative that teenagers realise that "an investment in self-development pays the highest dividends".

Entries are edited