As I roamed about Suria KLCC with my friend Noreen, she asked me a question: When did my taste get so expensive?
I've never really been one to cut corners on what makes me happy. Even as a student, I would rather not have something than have something that didn't meet my requirements - and my requirements were not just functional, it had to be aesthetically pleasing too. So in third year, after working part time, I bought myself my first keepsake watch - a Tissot. This watch I promise to my first daughter to be used on her first day at university.
After a while, as I started seeing the world and all its distractions, my benchmark as to what is aesthetically pleasing has gone up quite a bit. No, I'm not obsessed over branded goods, but I wouldn't discount its beauty. Of course, I don't own anything of note - yet.
In the past couple of years, my obsession with gadgets has reached disturbing proportions. My most indulgent moment was standing on my chair at work and auctioning off my Palm Vx - lock stock and barrel, and then running off to buy an iPaq.
Thousands of ringgit has been spent to this end, and what do I get? Short-lived gratification at tinkering. I could have gone to India with Victoria, I could have done my masters, I could have gone to a lot more plays, I could have paid for my brother's degree in fact...
All that is now in the past. My hard-earned money will first be used to indulge myself in little adventures - the kind that reminds me of what I wanted to be when I was 5. Perhaps by seeing the world, I learn to see what's inside of me.
Posted by Najah Nasseri at 2003年08月12日 09:25 | TrackBackI guess it's all about priorities, my dear. Some people spend their thousands on cars, others on home theatre systems, still others on clothes.
I know my weaknesses (gadgets, travel and food), and it's a good thing I have no money. Talk about Taurean materialism.
But anyhoo, as long as you're in control, I think you'll be fine.
Posted by: Ash.ox at 2003年08月12日 09:46Naj, I tend to agree with Ash. It is in priorities, at times it is also par of that journey you speak of.
As we age, we get more disserning with our taste and likes. Honestly there is nothing wrong with that, one must have splurged once to fully appreciate the fact that not everythning is needed to be happy. I see it as a phase.
Then again, if you prioritize and budget properly. That expensive item is just an expense. (opportunity costs of a number of expensive dinners forgone of course).
If you keep on this track, you will do fine.
Posted by: Fische at 2003年08月12日 09:52well, planning and budgeting was never one of my good points. i can sympathize with on this.
u're taking a great step forward since you acknowledge what you're doing might not be so right.
don't beat yourself too hard. we were all in your shoes at one point in time or another. :)
Posted by: Wena at 2003年08月12日 10:48I like buying nice and pretty things. It makes me think I deserve them and that I'm worth having them. Sometimes it even makes me feel better and just perhaps pretty and nice too.
Posted by: graceshu at 2003年08月12日 11:41Grace: Interesting take on the buying process, altho as a friend I'd like to remind you not to let yourself be defined by the things you buy. You're special, without the nice and pretty things, since they're only objects after all.
Peace.
Posted by: Ash.ox at 2003年08月12日 14:35I noticed the same thing about my wife too (who is about the same age as U)... by coincidence! She said the very same thing, the money spent should have been put to some other useful thing, yada, yada, yada ...
In actual fact, I too faced that thought when I was that age. Now that I'm *slightly* older, I get to change for the better! I think!?
Try to enjoy life while U still can ... but don't over enjoy lah!
Posted by: Abg Piah at 2003年08月12日 15:08I aim to live by these rules...as long as we're performing charity, free from debt, then can go shopping lah....our 'wealth' partly belongs to needy people & the rest is for us. There's also saving up for the future...for further studies, pilgrimage to Mecca, children's tertiary education overseas, 'rainy days' God forbid....those without dependents probably don't have to save up so much...why die & leave a whole lotta money in the bank? True or not?
Posted by: Noreen at 2003年08月12日 15:35ahh, when you work in technology and you can write off your gadget addiction as research expenses. :) i know i do that.
Posted by: alphaque at 2003年08月12日 18:48but this expense (presumably) still comes off your own pocket. :(
income statement unchanged.
Posted by: Alvin Tan at 2003年08月12日 22:39time changes everything..of course, w more purchasing power comes greater desire to own materials..its a vicious cycle..never stops..never will.. isnt this world a materialistic one or are we juz a plain bored species who's got nothing better to do?
Posted by: fnd at 2003年08月16日 22:42