On higher spending
I walk the malls every week and come across different people, students, office people, retired old citizens, housewives, foreigners. I sometimes ask myself, if people really need to spend disposable income in a mall. More than half of what you see or buy is a luxury.Take shopping for clothes for example. Whenever you see clothing that you want to buy, you usually say you "need" it. But in reality, you just "want" it. Even if you don't buy it, you'd be just fine.
This is perfectly fine as long as you can afford the lifestyle that goes with it. This is just an example mind you. This can be anything, from buying electronic gadgets, music CDs, books, etc. Whenever you buy something that you can afford and still not flinch at your budget, this is called self-rewarding.
When you take a step back and look at it all from the bigger picture, you realize that our disposable income is well spent (sarcastically).
So, when do you say that something becomes unnecessary to spend on?
Perhaps the best idea for that would be - if that something you want is affordable but spending on it would take away beyond what is disposable income for you, yeap, you have an impulsive-spending problem right there.
Take note I make careful mention of "disposable income" - so it means that if you are not making ends meet and you are still spending on a luxury, then you have to rewrite your budget to finance your cost of living.
Whenever I think about it -- there is sound reasoning as why you would want to get a White Choco Latte that costs thrice as a large soda would, or a gourmet milkshake which yeah is also thrice the price at a regular fastfood. For that individual, he/she probably works hard so he/she would want to enjoy and spend hard. That's perfectly fine.
There is one other reason - the reason we all want (ideal, but crazy) - as to why we go for higher, more expensive (not necessarily better) things. It is because we want to experience the a feeling of elation. More specifically, to be able to say the phrase "because I can". After we spend on something that elates us, we feel good, and the experience of the moment is priceless.
What if, lets say one day, Mc Donalds served UFC / CBT / SBC drinks at regular coffee price - you wouldn't still buy it there. I know you're much smarter than that -- you're going to run up to your favorite coffeeshop as always and get that frappe you've been thinking about since 5:30. That is probably because you wouldn't want to be seen at McDonalds having a gourmet iced coffee drink.
So, despite all the talk to save and whatever, this (sickly) justifies our reason for spending. =D
posted by Urban Warrior @ 2:37 PM
2 Comments:
(sickly) justifies... haha XD
thank God i'm not luxurious! though i do indulge for a peppermint chocolate at starbucks once in a while (when i have extra "disposable income") ;)
You know, I tried Henlin's brewed coffee last Saturday and it tasted mighty fine. Costs a lot cheaper too (well, it came with the breakfast meal that I ordered) than the ones I used to have in M cafe or in UCC =)
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