(Photo edited in Canva)
Some of us have developed this habit of buying so much things online even when we don't really need them. Sometimes, we just buy a lot just to relieve stress. Sometimes, we just want to feel better by buying something for ourselves.
(Photo by storyset. Link: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/online-shopping-concept-illustration_7010823.htm#query=online%20Shopping&position=3&from_view=author)
Sometimes, we just want to reward and treat ourselves because we deserve it. But, maybe we treat ourselves to reward ourselves for something will still happen in the future, like an advanced reward.
Nevertheless, I think it is not a bad thing to treat ourselves sometimes. Maybe, we have been deprived of those things when we were kids and now that we're older we can afford to buy them. We just want to make our inner child happy.
Maybe, we really need it. Or even if we don't need it, if it makes us happy, we can buy the things we want. Our mental health matters. If it something that will lift our spirits up, then don't feel guilty and buy it.
However, that should not make us forget about discipline. We can buy things that we want. The question is - when? When should we buy the things that we want? When should we tap that 'Place Order' button in our online cart?
That has been my personal question these days. I really want to buy a lot of things. I want to buy that famous water jug that everyone uses. I want new shoes even though I still have one. I need storage boxes for my stuff. I need more clothes that I can wear for school ... and so much more things. However, my budget is limited. Therefore, I need to decide when should I buy those things in my wishlist.
My number one rule before splurging is: Save enough money to buy those things but also save additional money to be added on your savings. Simply put, make sure that before you spend money, you should earn an extra to be added on your savings. Save first before spending. If I want to buy an PHP800 worth of purchase, I need to earn PHP1000 so I can add the rest for my savings.
This way, I won't feel too guilty of spending too much.
And, if there would be an unexpected event that I will need money, it will not be a problem since I saved enough. I will not regret buying that thing and I will not feel bad about treating myself.
My another rule is: I should not depend on my parents on buying the things that I want. I budget my weekly allowance so I can save a small amount. I do not try to ask for more for me to order those things that I only need, but not a necessity. We are not rich and I have to be considerate of my family's situation. I also want to start practicing how to be independent from my family.
If you are well-off, you do not have to worry about these things. Still, you should keep in mind that we should not be too materialistic. We still need to have discipline even when we are wealthy.
(Photo by vectorjuice. Link: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/financial-analyst-planning-checklist-clipboard-calculator-calendar-budget-planning-balanced-budget-company-budget-management-concept-illustration_11669060.htm#query=budget&position=19&from_view=author)
And for people like me, who have to carefully plan finances, we have to be careful of our spending. Not because we have money doesn't mean we have to spend it right away. We have to think for our future. We have to be financially stable now and in the future.
If you have your own financial rules, share them so we can learn from each other. Budgeting tips, earning methods and more financial advice are open here.
(Other photos are screenshots from Lazada app. Photo of coins was taken by me.)