Saturday, August 21, 2010

A Cheaper Gift




Weeks before my birthday, I have been researching and reading reviews for a gadget that I have been eyeing since last summer. I wanted it so bad that I nearly deprived myself of other necessities just so I could purchase it. In fact, I was setting aside a portion of my meager salary for this particular indulgence.

I am not really "maluho" as others perceive. People close to me can attest to the fact that I don't easily take out cash from my wallet. I even earned the moniker "Maku" which is the shortened form of "makunat."

I have to admit though that I spent quite a lot during my first few years of employment. The thrill of finally earning my own keep overwhelmed me. Gone are the days when I had to beg for money from my folks for everything that I needed. All of a sudden, I was the master of my own pocket! I spent uncontrollably on things that I didn't actually need. When my wallet could no longer satisfy my urge, I applied for a credit card, which made things even worse, but that's another story.

My "lavish" spending didn't last that long. Thank God! I soon realized I had to shape up and do something about my finances. Spending too much on items isn't practical at all. As long as I still have 2 decent pairs of jeans and a couple of presentable tops, I'll be fine. This change of heart probably comes with age. When I was younger, my idea of self-image and self-worth was mainly based on the brands that one has in his closet. Now that I am older, I have learned that one's self-worth depends on his abilities, competencies and achievements.

The item which I was supposed to treat myself with suddenly became an unnecessary distraction. I opted not to purchase it, at the last minute. I figured, if it isn't something I need, why bother?


POSTSCRIPT: I bought a cheaper item, instead. :)

No comments: