Spending habit and Reward

artwork by: @miftahulhaqq

Social media must have something to do with our spending habit, doesn't it? The more we see what other people are doing, the more we are tempted to do at least the same, if not "more". Same thing goes with belongings, aaand food! Food is the biggest temptation of all for me. Because hey, who can turn their faces away from foodporn videos? Especially those close-up-slow-motions of melted mozzarella??

But, to what point are we going to keep spending around? Tonight, out of no where, I remember a friend told me in our early graduate time, "We're about to enter the most fragile phase of a human being."

"And why is that you think?"

"You know, after all these years we've been away from home with limited budget, trying to cut every penny possible from our meal, we're finally gonna make some money on our own. If we don't manage it well, it'll screw us. If we do, it might do us good."

Now if we put a second to think about it, I believe we would be able to mention names of famous people that thrown away by money and fame. Their behaviour changes the moment their financial condition got better, not to mention, so does their spending habit. Not only them, it also happens to us as early graduates. As we starting earning, we become crazy. We would go for everything we've always wanted but couldn't afford before.

When I was younger, a wise man asked me, "You know who the most successful person is?""Who?""Those who get into a better financial stage, but their spending level stays the same. They dress the same, eat the same so they could save and invest more."I was like, naah it's not that hard. And then boom, social media arrived and the last thing you know, your money passes you by in a blink.

I used to give my self a reward after every hard situation I've overcome. But all these images of "rewards" are starting becoming the worst spending. "Oh girl, you've been working hard. Don't you think you deserve that new black scarf to be added along side your other 10 black scarfs in the shelf?" Well I'm not saying that I wouldn't give my self anymore rewards from now on, it just that I need to be a bit more selective to see whether I'm utterly deserved it. 

Because on some cases I might only use it as a justification to accept my repeated spending. I'm not a financial-expert-person, in fact, I'm a total idiot on that matter. I've just realized that I need to learn because aside from fresh airs, financial knowledge happens to be another basic survival kit required to be able to live in this commercialism world.

 Not to be an expert, just to, you know, have a control over your money.

So next time I see other friend's vacation photos or new restaurant's opening on my timeline, I'll be able to say,"Very well, let me check my rewarding slot first. Ups, I'm sorry it's full. I guess we're good for now then, I'm saving for my future."