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Social workers and educators are urging young people in Hong Kong to do a better job of financial planning in order to avoid the increasingly common problem of debt.

 

Pinky Yung, the head of the Caritas Debt and Financial Capability project, said about 10 percent of the 4,000 inquiries about financial problems the charitable organization receives each year come from people aged between 18 and 25.

 

More than 10,000 university students had fallen behind in repaying their student loans during the 2006-7 academic year, involving debt worth HK$140 million (US$17.9 million), according to statistics. Nearly a dozen university graduates were so far behind in repaying loans from the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme that they had to apply for bankruptcy.

 

One of the defaulters was a 25-year-old who had incurred a debt of HK$300,000. The man was plunged into financial difficulties after being laid off by the restaurant where he worked, which paid him a monthly salary of HK$10,000.

 

In another case, a 25-year-old property agent had irregular income, but that did not stop him from buying luxury items. He eventually ran up a debt of HK$160,000.

 

"He has between 200 and 300 pairs of shoes, some of which are limited edition and expensive," Yung said.

 

The man was not aware of the problem until his girlfriend broke up with him.

 

"He had to sell what he had bought to settle the debt," Yung said.

 

She said many young people in Hong Kong had demonstrated a lack of financial sense. Some of them demonstrated it by moving out of their parents' homes to pursue an "independent life" even though they were not earning enough money to support themselves. Few of them seemed aware of the expenses they would have to bear if they lived on their own.

 

The easy availability of credit cards has exacerbated the problem, Yung said, adding that Hong Kong should address the situation by abandoning its consumer-oriented culture.

 

"These youngsters must have self-esteem before they go out buying luxury items," she said.

 

To tackle the problem, Yung's group has been organizing workshops to teach students how to spend wisely. The group also offers financial advice to those in debt.

 

Some secondary schools have also stepped up efforts to teach students the best way to spend money.

 

Buddhist Ching Kok Secondary School organized a one-week campaign in which each class would be given coupons for purchases and investment. Classes that generated high returns were given rewards.

 

(China Daily May 9, 2007)