Sub-title: I am Colayco's son. (Grins).

As best as I can, I keep myself from borrowing money.

(Although last week, I borrowed money from a friend but returned it to him after three days).

You see, for me, it is never okay to borrow money -- whether from a friend or the bank or worse, a usurper. Before you say I'm too flippant in claiming this, wait till you hear what Shakespeare said: Neither a borrower nor a lender be; for loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

And PDI (Philippine Daily Inquirer), too.

And finally the Proverbs: The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

There is only one valid reason why I would agree to a long-term loan: For a business where loan payment will be taken out of the business earnings.

I don't even see the redeeming value of owning a credit card. Safer than cash? Then use a debit card where you incur no charges. For emergencies? Too lame an excuse.

It is my honest opinion that we should all live within -- or even at times, below -- our means. If we liked something and we can't afford it, then don't buy it. Save for it, and once you have the money, buy it.

Most of the things that we claim we need are really unnecessary. Even if we purchased it on sale!

We, OFWs, should budget our expenses and make sure that we save something -- even if it's just $100 per month. Why? Because this is the truth about our remittances: most of it get spent by our families. You're lucky if your wife manages to save a portion of what you send. With the high cost of living in the Philippines, how do you expect your missus to save your remittances -- or at least a portion of it -- (unless, of course, she's also working like you)?

There's also a tendency for OFW parents to pamper their kids with material things. A Sony Playstation or an iMAC can never replace your absence. If you so much love your children, then save money as early as you can and then start a small business back home. What was it that they normally tell us: no one gets rich by being employed! Teach your children, too, about the value of money. That's one important lesson that they'd be forever grateful of you.

I've seen how OFWs can sometimes be unnecessarily extravagant. When buying something, be a Vida Boheme* and ask: Well pumpkins, it comes down to that age-old decision: style... or... substance?

Two nights ago, I purchased a box of pasta. I saw three brands: Goody, Boutoni and Jenan; costing six, six and three riyals, respectively. I read their labels; all of them seemed to have the same ingredients. And so I bought Jenan. It thought Jenan noodles are not as brightly-colored as Goody or Boutoni, but I thought Jenan's taste is similar to costlier brands. And so I thought it was a wise buy. My friends were in debate after that. Someone said the branded noodle is better because it's firmer to the bite, while someone retorted it's not the brand but how you cook it. Using Vida's question, I say: Substance. Jehan is fine with me.

I swear by the following words: Borrowing money (and lending money too) dulls the friendship. Ka Adan, a retired OFW and an officemate once told me: Madaling kitain ang pera, mahirap kitain ang pagkatao. How many OFWs will you pertain those words to? How many OFWs have you lost faith in because they were unable to pay their debts to you? How many of them are your friends?

Okay, I will stop sounding like your mom. To conclude this post, I leave you with two words: Live simply.

Oh, I'll add three more words: Don't borrow. Save.

Will I be committing blasphemy in saying this?: If Jesus saves, mustn't we?

*From the oh-so-gay movie To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar