"Ah Wing" has served in the Force for more than ten years and was promoted to his present rank a few years ago. He has been living happily with his wife and two children in a self-owned flat. Ah Wing's wife is an investment consultant who used to earn more than $100,000 a month when the local economy was prosperous. Ah Wing's wife opened an account at her investment company and speculated actively with a view to earning big money.

Owing to the economic downturn, Ah Wing's wife suffered a great loss in the stock market managing to also incur a debt of about $800,000 in six months. Ah Wing, never having been involved in her speculative activities, was astounded to learn about his wife's serious indebtedness and quarrelled heatedly with her over the matter. Eventually their relationship chilled. Ah Wing had even thought about divorce.

The couple were eventually able to calm down and face the problem together. To repay the debt, they decided to sell their beloved self-owned flat which they bought at the climax of the property market at a far lower price and moved to a rented, less spacious apartment.

Ah Wing also sold his European car which was acquired on hire purchase terms. By doing so, he was able to cut his monthly expenses significantly.

Ah Wing also made an alternative arrangement for the tertiary education of their son. Instead of studying in the United Kingdom, Ah Wing enrolled his son in a local university.

Ah Wing and his wife have also re-set their monthly budget with a view to cutting all unnecessary expenses, making every effort to repay all debts as soon as practicable so as to minimise interest accrued.

Ah Wing also took the initiative to seek assistance from his TSRO and the Force Clinical Psychologists. Through a series of counselling sessions, he was able to alleviate his stress and learn to accept his wife in spite of the hardship that she brought to him. As a result, he was able to re-establish trust in her and start to rebuild their relationship. Ah Wing believes that if they can persist in their positive attitude and learn a lesson from the incident, the problem will eventually be overcome.

The lesson is simple: Prudence in financial management should extend to all family members for whom communication is important.

Finally, take it from Ah Wing, beware of speculative investment. High risks are a gamble that you can lose as fast as you win. In the end, speculation with your hard-earned salary may not be worth the tremendous stress involved.

Tung Sin Tan Limited is a charity organisation serving the elderly as well as disadvantaged children from broken families. The Central and Western District Office, the Social Welfare Department, Tung Sin Tan Limited and CDIST are jointly organising a Spring Carnival for Disadvantaged Children between 1:30 and 5pm on Sunday March 7, at the Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct, Waterfront.

In addition to stage performances, the organising committee is planning splashes of colour to the meaningful afternoon by including shows by the Police Dog Unit, as well as through displays of a Saxon armoured personnel carrier, an EU vehicle with full gear and E&C motorcycles.

All are welcome.

For further information contact CIP Ma Kam-po, PCRO CDIST: 2905-1342

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

Leave Homes

FORCE holiday bungalow accommodation is available from Feb 10 - 15 Mar for Gazetted and Inspectorate officers and their civilian counterparts as follows:

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