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The National, UAE
Aug 22 2014
Chapter and verse at heart
Andrew Scott
Ani Bazdekian, is a senior media relations executive at Travel
Agencies Accounting Solution. The 25-year-old Armenian was born and
raised in the UAE and is pursuing a master's degree in media and
technology
Describe your financial journey so far.
My financial journey has been exciting but not unusual. When I was
doing my BA I used to freelance in market research companies. My
parents encouraged that because they said it instils the sense of
responsibility in me. After I graduated I started at a junior level
and gradually I got promoted. I look forward to enhancing my knowledge
of the industry and growing not only for the sake of the company I
work for, but for my own sake. I truly believe that we all have to
start small and work very hard and be extremely dedicated to climb up
the career ladder.
Are you a spender or saver?
Definitely a spender. It's very hard to save money in Dubai, there are
a billion ways to spend money. The more I have, the more I spend. The
bare necessities include house rent, car instalments, Salik, parking
fees and fuel which alone is enough to leave a dent in a person's
pocket. Then comes the weekend, movies, dinner, a friend's birthday
and by the end of the month I wonder where all the money went.
What is your philosophy towards money?
I'm not going to use my own words to answer this but Ayn Rand's words
because she says it better than anyone else. "So you think that money
is the root of all evil? Have you ever asked what is the root of
money? Money is a tool of exchange, which can't exist unless there are
goods produced and men able to produce them. Money is the material
shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must
deal by trade and give value for value. Money is not the tool of the
moochers, who claim your product by tears, or of the looters, who take
it from you by force. Money is made possible only by the men who
produce. Is this what you consider evil?" In brief, money is a
necessity, we need it to survive but it's not money that is evil;
greed is evil and destructive.
Have you made any financial mistakes along the way?
I don't think I have made any financial mistakes and I owe this to my
parents who have always taught me to spend according to my earnings;
and always be responsible with money because it sure does not come
easy. However, I know a lot of people who have been in financial
trouble, and looking at them has taught me to always be careful and
save for emergencies. You never know what life throws your way!
If you won Dh1 million, what would you do with it?
First thing I would do is finish off my master's. I would take a month
off to travel around the world; live the local life though, I wouldn't
want to stay in five-star hotels. I would definitely want to invest as
well, so maybe open a cafe that serves home-made desserts (I love
baking). It would really be a library/cafe. Do you plan for the
future?
My plans are not set in stone. If an opportunity comes my way and that
means I need to diverge from my plans then so be it. I have a goal I
want to reach before I'm 50 but I'm in no rush. What do you enjoy
spending money on?
I love spending money on books. Take me to Kinokuniya and watch me max
out my credit card limit. I have every book that Ayn Rand has written
and I've read them at least twice.
http://www.thenational.ae/business/personal-finance/chapter-and-verse-at-heart
From: Baghdasarian
Aug 22 2014
Chapter and verse at heart
Andrew Scott
Ani Bazdekian, is a senior media relations executive at Travel
Agencies Accounting Solution. The 25-year-old Armenian was born and
raised in the UAE and is pursuing a master's degree in media and
technology
Describe your financial journey so far.
My financial journey has been exciting but not unusual. When I was
doing my BA I used to freelance in market research companies. My
parents encouraged that because they said it instils the sense of
responsibility in me. After I graduated I started at a junior level
and gradually I got promoted. I look forward to enhancing my knowledge
of the industry and growing not only for the sake of the company I
work for, but for my own sake. I truly believe that we all have to
start small and work very hard and be extremely dedicated to climb up
the career ladder.
Are you a spender or saver?
Definitely a spender. It's very hard to save money in Dubai, there are
a billion ways to spend money. The more I have, the more I spend. The
bare necessities include house rent, car instalments, Salik, parking
fees and fuel which alone is enough to leave a dent in a person's
pocket. Then comes the weekend, movies, dinner, a friend's birthday
and by the end of the month I wonder where all the money went.
What is your philosophy towards money?
I'm not going to use my own words to answer this but Ayn Rand's words
because she says it better than anyone else. "So you think that money
is the root of all evil? Have you ever asked what is the root of
money? Money is a tool of exchange, which can't exist unless there are
goods produced and men able to produce them. Money is the material
shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must
deal by trade and give value for value. Money is not the tool of the
moochers, who claim your product by tears, or of the looters, who take
it from you by force. Money is made possible only by the men who
produce. Is this what you consider evil?" In brief, money is a
necessity, we need it to survive but it's not money that is evil;
greed is evil and destructive.
Have you made any financial mistakes along the way?
I don't think I have made any financial mistakes and I owe this to my
parents who have always taught me to spend according to my earnings;
and always be responsible with money because it sure does not come
easy. However, I know a lot of people who have been in financial
trouble, and looking at them has taught me to always be careful and
save for emergencies. You never know what life throws your way!
If you won Dh1 million, what would you do with it?
First thing I would do is finish off my master's. I would take a month
off to travel around the world; live the local life though, I wouldn't
want to stay in five-star hotels. I would definitely want to invest as
well, so maybe open a cafe that serves home-made desserts (I love
baking). It would really be a library/cafe. Do you plan for the
future?
My plans are not set in stone. If an opportunity comes my way and that
means I need to diverge from my plans then so be it. I have a goal I
want to reach before I'm 50 but I'm in no rush. What do you enjoy
spending money on?
I love spending money on books. Take me to Kinokuniya and watch me max
out my credit card limit. I have every book that Ayn Rand has written
and I've read them at least twice.
http://www.thenational.ae/business/personal-finance/chapter-and-verse-at-heart
From: Baghdasarian