A charitable accountant has taken the initiative to lend his expertise and offer free courses on money management in the belief that many end up in financial dire straits because they have the wrong priorities.

It is Ian Azzopardi’s contribution to the issue of poverty in Malta, highlighted in a recent Caritas report.

He is appealing to parish priests and local councils to identify ideal candidates for the half-day seminars that would propose methods to stretch money further.

It may sound like the sort of miracle anyone could do with but Mr Azzopardi insists he is only providing help – not the solution – and that money is finite.

The certified public accountant is not new to philanthropic projects. Mother Teresa is his idol, he has been involved in voluntary work for 32 years, is the founder of the Mission Fund and assistant treasurer of the Malta Community Chest Fund.

While still studying, Mr Azzopardi tried to understand what an accountant could do to help, starting off with a bag of stamps and ending up raising €300,000 a year for the 800 Maltese missionaries around the world, sending over €3 million in 28 years.

“I used my limited accounting and management skills, the talents God gave me,” he said. Now, he is extending them to those who may have problems making ends meet.

“I know what it means to have a family,” he says, admitting that some may consider the way he manages the household accounts as being a bit miserly.

But Mr Azzopardi is not embarrassed to say he would not buy himself a better mobile phone because he knows it would only mean discarding the one he has and ending up with another he would worry about more.

He insists that even millionaires need to budget and reiterates the age-old saying that “you need to cut your dress according to the material you have”.

Living according to your means may seem obvious but it is the crux of successfully managing personal finances and discipline plays an important role too.

“You may wish for more but you have to live with what you have got and, if possible, save for a rainy day.

“I understand that it is hard to save money on a minimum wage (€8,000) and for those who earn less than the average (€19,000) and have children and a loan repayment.

“But I am surprised when I meet people who do not even have €300 put aside to pay their insurance! Some people have been working for 10 years and have not saved a cent.”

Mr Azzopardi is aware that some people are really suffering while others play tombola, Super 5, smoke and drink.

“Yes, you can entertain yourself but within limits,” he maintains, insisting on the need to focus on priorities and taking things step by step.

“First comes food…

“Everyone wants to give their children the best but they cannot exaggerate. Keeping up with the Jonses is another problem. But, first, you have to see what you can actually afford.

“You do not have to eat out every single Saturday. Save on one and spend on the other. The trick is to enjoy life but in moderation.”

It could sound like the usual clichés but, sometimes, it is good to be reminded that people are dying of hunger while many won’t eat yesterday’s food.

Pushing pride aside is another tip. “I had no problems accepting hand-me-downs when I had my kids even if I could afford a new pushchair. And we do not throw away leftovers…”

Better budgeting skills are an important trick, while documenting and analysing expenditure is vital to understand where the money is going and what costs can be curbed and shifted around.

The issue of people at risk of poverty has been brought to the forefront and Mr Azzopardi wrote to Caritas a year ago to offer the course but never received a reply.

So far, only four people have applied and he admits he expected a better response and was seeking a wider audience.

Nevertheless, he still intends to deliver the practical course, which has been designed in layman’s terms, for a handful of participants.

Mr Azzopardi can be contacted on 7959 5125 or via e-mail at hrd@global.net.mt.