my first salry was just rs 900 in 1990 . I was such a spendthrift those days that I dont remember where money went. I bought a blue checked shirt and that was it, rest of money spent on biryanis. very lucky my parents had a bit of dosh and werent dependent on me. it took many years before i smartened up. I was a pathological spendthrift running from job to job
I have read each and every message that has to do with ones first salary and I tell you its was very touching. All of them had a special human gift called "SACRIFICE" and above all love. Ive seen it in our Indian mentality from North to south and from east to west, that WELCOME is always there in the family where ever you go. I hope this continues for ever in all spheres of our lives in our country.
I joined my service in April 1958 and received my first salary on 1st May 1958. Our system was that all brothers who are in service would give their complete salary to father deducting the revenue stamp charges. The entire salary would be pooled together and their would be a prayer in the evening. After that the family would sit and father would separate the essential expenses like rent, milkman ,provisions etc and then every one will get pocket expenses which included conveyance too. I felt so happy to get my first pocket expenses which I could spend the way I liked. I made programmes of seeing a movie with my friends and enjoy the snacks in the favourite market. It was such a feeling that I was the master of my will as I could enjoy and eat the way I liked. I would save slso from my pocket money and add to the next to have a comfortable life of exclusiveness. It looks like a nightmair now as my son and I do not know how each one of us are spending on our household which moves with the concept "if you like it you have it no barriess in between.
In 2001 after my polytechnic diploma, I joined a marketing job and the salary was Rs:1500/- with incentives. After my training, I sold a product on the first day itself and got an incentive of Rs:50/-. I still have that 50 rupee note with me. It is a treasure for me. Today I am earning more than 100 times in a month, but still that 50 rupee note is something that I cannot forget.