T HIS is one group of teenagers who practise what they preach - they star in a musical that teaches youths howto use their money wisely.

While preparing for it, the actors, aged 12 to 18, picked up good money habits.

They starred in the MoneyWise Musical titled Sam's List, as part of the South East MoneyWise Carnival.

The one-day event, organised by the Southeast CDC, was held at the Changi Simei Community Club and East Point Mall last Saturday.

In the face of today's global recession, the musical aims to help youths better understand the dangers of bad money habits and learn ways to cultivate good ones.

The theme struck a chord with its young actors.

Yvonne Mak, 17, of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), insists she is nothing like her character, Megan, a brand-conscious teen idol.

"While Megan spends her money frivolously like most teenagers these days, I am much more careful with what I spend," she said.

"I can differentiate between 'wants' and 'needs', and I spend lesson the former."

Yvonne said she picked up the good habits during the one month she was preparing for the musical.

Her fellow cast member and schoolmate, Nurul Asyikin Mohd Nasir, 18, agreed.

She said: "I have really learnt to be money-wise. Before this, I used to spend money like water."

Instead of buying new and expensive clothes, the two girls are now getting their clothes from thrift shops.

Nurul said: "At thrift shops, we can get second-hand clothes for a few dollars. They are cheap and look good."

Initially, during rehearsals, the teenagers would buy drinks from the cafeteria. Later, most of them brought drinks from home to save money.

"I think we were all positively influenced by the musical," said Joshua Cao, 18, also an ACS(I) student.

"For example, we used to take a cab (to Simei where rehearsals were held) from the west, where most of us live. But now we take the MRT. This way, we save about $30 a day," he added.

"From being 'Megans' in the past, we are now more like 'Susies'."

Susie is the name of the thrifty teenager in the musical.

Catchy songs

The messages of good money habits were woven into catchy tunes like Money Game and Wise Up in the musical.

Mr Noriman Ali Salam, 29, senior manager of Southeast CDC, said: "As the 'dumping' mentality is prevalent today, it is important that we educate our youths from a young age.

"That is why we targeted students from secondary schools and junior colleges this time."

He was referring to the youths' mentality of constantly throwing away old items in favour of the latest version.

The musical may also be taken to schools in the south-east district so it can reach a wider audience.

The musical's writer-director, Peggy Ferroa, 49, said: "We are excited at the prospect of turning a topic as dry as money-saving into something fun and exciting, and taking it to the public."

Apart from the musical, there were also other activities like the MoneyWise Shopping Challenge and a mass play-off of the South East MoneyWise Board Game at the carnival.

This article was first published in The New Paper on December 16, 2008.