資料來源：家加豬財商教育創辦人Sang Chan
養孩子經常都會比喻「一闊三大」，開支多了，作為父母的可以如何為自己做好理財？很多家長認為自己的收入多與少，主宰了自己的生活質素。生活質素固然與收入有關，但有一樣事情更重要。如果每個家庭做得好的話，生活質素一樣可以大大提升，那就是怎樣將自己的收入打理得好。
每位家長可以用一個簡單理財概念，也就是理財金字塔，來安排自己每個月的收入。這個理財金字塔的背後理念，說明了怎樣把自己賺到的每一元，分流好並放到適當位置，然後將每一元的價值都可以極大化。如果跟著這個理財金字塔的建構運作，每個家庭的財務狀況，都可以變得愈來愈健康。
整個金字塔的底部，我們第一個環節要做的就是MPF (強積金)，大概5%左右的錢要分流去MPF。安排MPF後下一個層次就是安排我們的basic need，即是基本需求。基本需求我們可以這樣理解就是我們的衣食住行，如果作為父母，當然包括了小朋友，他們的日常用品可能奶粉及尿布等等，甚至年紀大一點，他們讀書的學費，都是基本需求。
我們會面對的一些支出，基本需求這裡大概安排總收入的50%，這樣就是一個合理的水平。在處理基本需求之後，我們就會面對到稅務。稅務這個層次，稅務這一筆因人而異。在香港來說，大概5%左右的收入都能應付得了。
Source: Founder of Piggy Gaga Financial Education, Sang Chan.
Raising children is often described as “bit pricey,” meaning that expenses increase significantly. As parents, how can we manage our finances effectively? Many parents believe that their income level determines their quality of life. While income is certainly related to quality of life, there is something even more important. If every family handles it well, their quality of life can still be greatly improved, and that is how they manage their income.
Each parent can use a simple financial concept, known as the financial pyramid, to allocate their monthly income. The underlying principle of this financial pyramid explains how to divide and allocate every dollar earned to the appropriate areas, maximizing the value of each dollar. By following the construction and operation of this financial pyramid, the financial situation of every family can become increasingly healthy.
At the base of the pyramid, the first step is to allocate around 5% of the income to Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF). After setting aside funds for MPF, the next level is to allocate for our basic needs. Basic needs refer to our necessities such as clothing, food, housing, and transportation. As parents, this also includes the daily supplies for our children, such as formula milk and diapers. It may even include their educational expenses as they grow older.
Approximately 50% of the total income should be allocated to cover basic needs, which is a reasonable level. After managing basic needs, we then have to consider taxes. The amount of taxes varies for each individual. In Hong Kong, approximately 5% of the income is usually manageable for taxes.
安排這三層之後，剩下來的錢自己可以怎樣管理，令自己的生活一步一步變得更加優質？第一個部分就是流動現金，每個月把自己收入的10%左右安排在流動現金那部分。另外的10%可以安排在一些資產保護，最重要的資產當然就是自己怎樣可以保障自己或者家人。
安排完這兩個10%之後，剩下來大概有20%左右收入。這20%就正正可以安排在一些資產增值的地方，去完成一些人生上很想完成的目標。很多時候有些家長會問：「其實我們家庭是否要很富裕，才需要理財？如果我們收入只是剛剛好，我們可否理財？」
高收入的家庭就像一間大屋，可能真的比較多東西要打點的，可能有個雜物房，可以把雜物全部放進去，然後關上門。整間房子就整潔了，可能相對來說會簡單很多。
After allocating for these three levels, how can we manage the remaining money to gradually improve our quality of life? The first part is allocating around 10% of our income to liquid cash. Another 10% can be allocated to asset protection, where the most important asset is ensuring our own and our family’s well-being.
After arranging these two 10% allocations, we have approximately 20% of the income remaining. This 20% can be allocated to asset appreciation, allowing us to achieve some important life goals. Sometimes, parents may ask, “Do we need to be very wealthy as a family to engage in financial management? Can we manage our finances even if our income is just enough?”
High-income families are like large houses, and they may have more things to take care of. They might have a storage room where all the miscellaneous items can be stored and the door closed. The whole house will then become tidy, and the overall management will be much simpler.
但是如果我們的房子不是那麼大的話，比喻我們的收入。我們可以想像一間很小的房子，如果我們好好打點的話，會令生活更優質。如果收入比較充裕的話，當然可以有很多空間理財，但是如果收入只是一個剛剛好的狀況，其實是更加需要打點得更好。
But if our house is not
that big, metaphorically representing our income, we can imagine a small house.
If we take good care of it, it can still lead to a better quality of life. If
our income is more abundant, of course, there will be more room for financial
management. However, if our income is just enough, it becomes even more
important to manage it well.
