Assessment: Summary + Commentary

SUMMARY
The article “Saving Money By Spending Wisely” by Willard Michlin talks about how to actually “save money” by spending wisely. He gave a personal experience on how he took the advantage of the rising price in the steel industry to make money by buying a large load of it when the price was low and selling them to others at a higher price when the price increased. He also stated that buying straight from the wholesaler or a distributor will cost you lesser. Not only that, he also explained the need for such stocks of items in needs of emergency.

COMMENTARY
It is often said that money makes the world go round, but just where is it to be found? Well, the answer is clear, it’s us. The money we spend on the goods we use everyday cycles around the world. But saving money is another issue, in the article “Saving Money By Spending Wisely” by Willard Michlin, he states that spending our money wisely can also allow us to save money efficiently. I fully agree with him. Spending wisely is definitely the best method to save money, in my opinion. Spending little will only make you a miser and will not provide you extra money. But spending money wisely can draw you profits, which can have much more beneficial effects in the future.
First, in the above stated article, the author talks about his personal experience on saving money by spending wisely. There was a high inflation in the metal industry and prices were soaring. The writer then took advantage of the situation and bought a four-year supply of bolts, and than sell them to companies at the normal market price, which was higher due to the soaring prices. He then realized that he made a handsome sum of money in just six months and the results were definitely significant.
Actually, such methods of spending money are like investing in an item. Not only might the item be useful to the person himself, the surplus of the large stock of items can easily be exchanged for a nice sum of money if the prices go up again. Unlike a miser, who just saves a large portion of money and spends little, such methods actually make more money, which is a better choice. I personally feel that having more money in total is still better than having the same amount of money but saving it in large amounts.
Also, spending wisely can allow a family or person to survive through an economic crisis or a natural disaster. By stocking essentials up, one can divert his or her money to the things like petrol or rent during an economic crisis and there is no need to spend more money on things like food. Also, during a natural disaster, food shortages are common. With a large stock of food and necessities, one need not worry about everyday life matters and can focus on getting a better job or in rebuilding the disaster struck place. But what happens when the disaster sweeps away all the food and daily necessities that you stocked up for so many years?
Here is where the other edge of the sword comes in. Such stocking of items and the so-called “spending wisely” has a rather high degree of risk. If one buys many things that he deems “cheap”, there is still a risk that the price might drop further. Similarly, thinking that you have a big stock in preparation for a natural disaster might not work all the time. What if the disaster sweeps away all your stocks? What if the “disaster” is a deadly plague that targets foods? Then, you are rather helpless with the things that you have stocked up and will definitely regret your “wise spending” in the first place.
In conclusion, the method of spending wisely is a rather effective way to save. It is not really saving, but is definitely increases your money pool, which is advantageous. But the question still lies on whether you have the guts to throw in your money and “spend wisely”!

TO STREAK OR NOT TO STREAK?

Basically, streaking is the non-sexual act of taking off one's clothes and runing through a public place. There are definitely many who think that streaking is a mild form of flashing, a crime, and hence streaking should be a crime too. This way of logic definitely has its own sense, but I feel that streaking should not be banned, but banning streaking in Singapore should have a good effect on many aspects of its progress. I believe that there is nothing wrong with streaking, as long as you do not humiliate others with your act.

In the Straits Times, an article named "Just a naked blunder -Expelling the NUS streakers from their hostel is too harsh" It talks about nine male NUS undergraduates being expelled for streaking. That itself has spiced up the discussion about if streaking should be legalised and if the punishment from NUS was too harsh. The people supporting and against streaking launched arguments on the law, the freedom of choice, the impact on young kids, the "art of nature" and many more. In Singapore, any naked person in public could be fined SGD$2000, in the eyes of the law, streaking is not acceptable, and so are the undergrads. They should be grateful that their case did not fall under the strict laws of the Singapore government. Also, we can't consider the university to be a non-public place - everyday, tens of visitors show up at NUS.

Different countries have different laws. Singapore is one of the countries which have rather strict laws. But take for example the United States, they have more lenient laws. The University of Chicago even has an annual streaking event that is supported and cheered on by professors, passers-by and schoolmates. Its is taken as a method of expressing the ideology of freedom, youth and fun. It can also somehow be a method of self-exploration or maybe......... exploring others (ahem!)

There are numerous reasons why people streak. First, there is an essence of fun in streaking, people want the fun and, most probably, the stress relieving nature of streaking. This is true even in top Universities like Harvard. The act of streaking makes u feel exposed and the feeling of "carefreeness" especially if it is done in a group. This is the most important reason why I do not think that streaking is wrong. Streaking is also a method of gaining fame for some people. Some people have become famous and have been labeled "professional streakers" by the community. Many of such streakers run naked across soccer or rugby matches that are usually rather exciting and draws others' attention. I am not saying that they are ego and attention seeking, but I personally feel that looking at such a scene is definitely worth a laugh. To me, they are those daring professional jokers. But it is also true that some people streak because they are high on alcohol, and this is the exact reason why the NUS undergrads streaked. They celebrated their win of the Inter-Hall Games and drank till high, and they streaked.

I believe that Singapore will stubbornly (In my viewpoint) keep to the law that streaking should not be allowed. Singapore has tourism as an important part of its progress, how can she allow streaking to be legalised? Such acts of streaking in public can largely reduce the profits Singapore earn from its tourism. Also, Singapore is a largely civillised country and it is rather hard for it to accept streaking. Just imagine in the streets of the city, where all those lawyers, businessmen and parliment workers gather, wearing those high-class looking tuxedos and all out of a sudden, a naked man just bursts out and attracts people's attention. It will definitely a big humiliation to the people there and it just isn't unacceptable!

Some countries might not put any ban on streaking, and I believe that it is done out of understanding for the people who wish to feel "freedom", which is good! (In my opinion) But some countries feel that they still have a long way to go and they want their people to be more consevative in their actions. Either way, both have their advantages and disadvantages. Rounding up, streaking in Singapore could be banned for better progress of the country, but she should also consider the other choice as I think streaking can indirectly give people the drive (...) for progress!! XD