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First Salary: I bought wristwatches for my family

We asked you readers to tell us about your first salary and how you spent it. Here's the third set of responses we received. Illustration by Uttam Ghosh

First up, we have Ishrat Nasir Khan from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh sharing her experience.

In the year 2007, I received my first salary of Rs 12,000 which I decided to spend on my family.

I was in the mood to gift them something that will be durable, eye- catching and fashionable. After a lot of thought, I settled on buying wristwatches for my parents and two sisters.

I went to a branded showroom and personally selected the four watches for my family members which cost me about Rs 10,000. Since I was left with Rs 2,000, I decided to purchase a watch myself.

I searched for a beautiful wristwatch and found one for Rs 1,800. I realised that buying the watch would leave me with Rs 200 in my pocket but I was happy with my choice and proceeded to pay the bills.

To my surprise, the bill came up to Rs 28,000. I realised that in my excitement, the watch I had chosen for me was priced at Rs 18,000, and not Rs 1,800.

My joy extinguished. Eventually, I let go of the watch I had earlier selected for me and left the shop with four gifts for my family.

Since that day I have stopped wearing wristwatches and pledged to myself that I will wear it only when I can afford one that costs Rs 18,000 or above. I'm eagerly waiting for that day.

Dear Readers, what was your first job? Do you remember what your first salary was?

Tell us a little about where you worked and what you did there? And of course, what did you do with your first salary? Did you buy a sari for your mum or a gift for your girl/boyfriend? We want to know so tell us all about it!

Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject line 'My First Salary') and we'll publish the best responses right here on rediff.com!

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'I bought mishti and rasgulla for the family'

Next, we have Anant Roy from Kolkata telling us how he spent his first salary:

I started working in the year 2010 in Kolkata. I was earning Rs 1,000 a month.

With my first salary, I bought sweets -- mishti and rasgulla -- for the family and my special idol.

I bought other things too, but I cannot remember them as they were less significant.

'My mom had the biggest smile ever'

And last, but not the least, we have reader Nalini Jagnat Kudalkar reminiscing how she made her mother feel proud of her first salary:

My first job was as a counter sales executive, about 15 years ago.

I got my first salary of Rs 700 which I gave to my mom!

I remember she had the brightest smile I had ever seen on her face in my whole life.

Dear Readers, what was your first job? Do you remember what your first salary was?

Tell us a little about where you worked and what you did there? And of course, what did you do with your first salary? Did you buy a sari for your mum or a gift for your girl/boyfriend? We want to know so tell us all about it!

Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject line 'My First Salary') and we'll publish the best responses right here on rediff.com!