Ah Man (not his real name) is a serving police officer. He is married and lives in married quarters with his wife. Ah Man's parents live in a rented private apartment with his younger brother and younger sister. The whole family had been on good terms.

A few years ago, Ah Man's parents told him that bank and financial company bill collectors were calling their home looking for his younger brother (a bank clerk). "Final notices" addressed to his brother asking for repayment of overdue debts on personal loans and credit card bills were also being delivered to their flat. They also received a final reminder from Inland Revenue indicating that his younger brother would be fined at a five per cent surcharge if he failed to pay his taxes.

Ah Man's father was retired, his mother was a housewife and his younger sister was a student, so Ah Man became the key family member able to offer assistance to his younger brother. He learned that his brother was indebted to about 15 banks and financial companies for $300,000. The main reason for his indebtedness was due to years of overspending.

To make matters worse, his younger brother was unemployed at that time.

Because Ah Man had a limited income, he was unable to pay off all of his brother's outstanding debts at once, and instead repaid about half using his own and his father's savings ¡Ð as well as by selling most of his wife's dowries. It took him almost three years to pay off the remainder of the debts in instalments.

Ah Man still recalls with resentment rushing to bank/financial companies to repay the debts during his lunch breaks; and how the whole family was forced to lead a very frugal life in order to save money for the repayments; and his getting very upset whenever he was paged by staff of the financial companies.

Nevertheless, the ordeal taught Ah Man several lessons, mainly that the most essential monthly expense is "saving" without which one can never cope with the unexpected.

He also learned that heavy debts usually originate from small ones. Ah Man's brother got his first credit card as a student where he became used to spending on credit. When he started working, he became even more accustomed to leading a luxurious life on credit cards and personal loans. Such an indulgence over a few years resulted in his heavy indebtedness.

Imprudent financial management not only impairs personal well-being but also brings about grievances among family members. Years after the incident, Ah Man and his family still have not fully reconciled with his younger brother. Owing to a deep-seeded disappointment and distrust toward his irresponsibility, their relationship will never be the same.

Ah Man would like his colleagues to learn from his bad experience and realise the importance of prudent financial management. Failing to do so can destroy family relations creating irreparable harm.

¡Ð 20/F Police Officers' Mess Restaurant and
'699' Lounge Committee

Chris can be contacted on 2660-3209 (office),

2665-2952 (fax), or by E-mail at keeping@glink.net.hk.

Life membership is still only GBP 50 which includes an excellent newsletter twice a year and an updated membership list once a year. It's great value and keeps members in touch with one another.

The dates for the Spring Reunion (and Annual General Meeting) in Bournemouth are 14-16 May 1999. The London Lunch will be on a date to be fixed in July 1999.

FEBRUARY'S FARE: FANTASTIC FUN, FOOD & FIREWORKSTHE NEW YEAR FIREWORK SPECTACULAR will take place on 17 Feb, and as usual club members and their guests will have the best view in town! Chinese and Western menus are available, and booking forms are at Club Reception now (or phone Reception on 2591-1911 and the form will be faxed to you). Hurry, places are limited.
During the New Year period Club opening hours will be as follows: Beat Cafe will be open from 7:30am, all other catering outlets will be shut. The whole Club will close at noon. On the 17 Feb, the Club is open only for Fireworks Dinner ticket holders.
From 25 January the Beat Cafe will be offering superb set lunches consisting of soup, a main course, dessert, coffee/tea, for only $52. If you haven't tried our new caterers yet, this is your chance.
Special Delicious New Year Puddings can now be ordered from the TSK Hall. Turnip, Taro or Coconut are all available for only $55.

VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER ¡Ð for that special lady/man in your life, Chef Stanley will be offering a sumptuous four course meal in the Grill Room on February 14. $288 per person includes a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and a little gift for the ladies. Book now on 2591-1924.

THE CLUB WINE SHOP is now back and better than ever. Our current Wine of the Month is Trapiche Vieja Abadia from Argentina, which our guest taster, Tobi Lothian, described as "Young, fruity, aromatic and easy to drink. Excellent as a sipping wine or with a meal, and extraordinary value at just $46 per bottle."

A WINE APPRECIATION COURSE will be run in April at the Club by the Hong Kong Wine School. Book now on 2591-1911.

TSK HALL ¡Ð SPECIAL DISHES FOR FEBRUARY, superior dried-seafood and abalone in soup only $80; stuffed mushrooms on bean curd, Peking-style only $68.

BEAT CAFE ¡Ð NEW TEA-BUFFET, available on Sundays and Public Holidays from 2:30pm to 5pm. Only $40 per person. (Western and Chinese dim sum combinations available, with a complimentary soft drink and chicken drum stick per person.

VERANDAH BAR, Great Happy Hour continues, every evening from 5pm to 8pm.

Leave Homes

FORCE holiday bungalow accommodation is available from January 13 to February 8 for Gazetted and Inspectorate officers and their civilian counterparts as follows:

Interested colleagues should obtain a letter of introduction form the Personnel Services Branch Holiday Facilities Unit and contact the hotels directly for reservations.