This is Emi again… hey everyone! I hope you are having great time! I am!🌞 I have to say, it has been great to keep showing up here, and little by little… seeing this blog page start to be filled with more post. I have noticed…
I actually start to have readers! 🎉 Woohoo!
Currently, I see 56 total viewers, and 1 subscriber (whaaaat! 🤯). This is a big deal for me! Up until I check the visitor section of website analysis… I thought there is no one reading this posts yet. It felt bit more like it is a personal diary, which is fine for now…because I do need to start from somewhere! I have been enjoying to see how my passion start to grow more through committing to create content here. It is great joy to know somebody is out there, seeking information about minimalize their life and stumble into here. I want to say a…
Biiiiig Thank you!!! 😆🤍🩵💙💜❤️
If you are reading this… I want you to know that you are big part of my personal challenge and achievement.
Okay… put all the excitement from me aside…! Today I want to talk about things happening now that is very relevant to everyone. That is how to control our…
Urge of spend money 💸 from tax refund during this END OF FINANCIAL YEAR time!
It is like a Christmas in the middle of the year! 🎅🏻🎄When you go out and walk around shopping malls, you can not help but notice (more like they jump into your eyes) all these flashy signs of SALES hanging out of the store!!!!!🚨My workplace is in a shopping centre. During my lunch break and bathroom run… it is impossible to avoid all these signs around this time. They shout at you, stimulate our purchase intent…These photos at the bottom here are all taken by me… during a short run to get a cup of coffee (about 5~10 minutes), walking pass by shops.
Around mid June to July, we start to anticipate for our tax return money… even before we get the money into pocket, all the shops start to put out their red, vivid colour flashy signs! They are cunning, planned to scheme a brain wash to us… saying:
“Hey ptss! It is time to reward you! You need to get a new diner set, maybe a bag, get a new appliance! let’s replace your old craps!! it is okay, you have extra money now… Cha-Ching!” 😈
I could not help but also think:
- “Wow, that shoes I thought to check it out is so cheap right now!”
- “Maybe it is time to get a new bed linen now! It is better than the current one.” (It is just newer)
- “You know what… I think deep inside I always wanted that new coffee machine, now maybe it’s perfect time to get it!”
- “30% less for home storage! Hmm I didn’t want to pay full price for bunch of boxes before, now it is cheaper…I will be so organised?!” (Which is not true)
I found myself comparing sports bras and even tried them on in a shop with my work friends one day. I absolutely did not need more sports bra! Only because they are much cheaper! Especially I have not even thought about getting more sports outfits in recent days. I have just enough amount and they are working completely fine for me. But yet, I was imagining “maybe with new, cute one, I am going to be more motivated to workout!” That is not gonna happen. The scary thing is, even without us thinking about getting new random things previously, all these “Sales” sign lure us into their shops, urge us to keep browsing, touching… lead our brain to say: “you should get it!”
Here are the illusions 👻 these sales sign creates:
“WHILE STOCK LAST!”
- …as if it is limited time only they have these products!
- You can get these “only now”, you will miss the chance to get later!
It is funny, because I know this Asian kitchenware shop. They are always full of stocks for products. You can buy anytime when you actually need something.
They encourage us to imagine the “NEW ME”
- “Hey, perfect time to start new hobby!”
- “Try some new games! Skin care products!…you need to get out of rut!”
- “You didn’t check me out before?! How rude! That’s okay, now still have the time to get me now, before I go back to original price… what a great deal you stumbled on, you lucky so and so! 😏”
I am not saying all these marketing campaigns are works of evils. Especially after pandemic, it is good to keep economic running. (As I was told, and becoming to learn more) It is just like we all need our local supermarket to be making profit… Why? So as individual households, we are having access to a supermarket can offer more variety, good quality and fresh food! However… do you want to fill your space with more junk, feeling guilty with unjustified purchase for contribute to the economy? The answer is NO! Right?
So before you get tricked, not aware of your money goes… I want you to do and remember those things:
About Money mindset 💸🧠
- Tax refund money is not “bonus money”. It is rightfully yours, from your hard work.
- Do a financial planning for Tax refund. how much to save, spend for something you need, For investment?
- Do not leave it in easy access account for purchase. (Not aware of spending)
Mechanism of marketing and our purchase 👛😉
- If you did not plan to buy, then you should not buy that day.
- You did not take advantage of the “discount” if you ended up adding similar thing you already had.
- Paying for original price only for few thing that you need is definitely lower cost than how much money you “saved” from many discount rush!
What is fake and real of fulfilment 💪❤️
- Do a declutter process before the EOFY period. You will have more sense of what you actually have and lacking in your space.
- EOFY is not your chance to revolutionise your “better version of life”
So… don’t be the one who has been taken advantage of! I almost fell for the scheme too. Invited by the festivities and excitements… I was lured into shops and almost bought these things:
Ohhh I spend so much time agonising, holding them in shop thinking…How can I come up with reasons to justify buying them?! 🫨I will dare to show you my weak minded moments here…
- Adidas shoes: “ahh they are so cute in colour, its is neutral tone, I can pair with so many outfits!
- Wireless hair iron: “I was eventually thinking to go cordless for appliances! Should I buy it now?”
- Fitbit: I am starting to train for marathon now! Maybe it can help me to track all the progress!
These sounds like good reason to buy them right? Well… I end up
NOT BUYING THEM!!!!!
Because… I checked with my note on the phone, and was able to snap out of it… I highly recommend you to make one too!
👈 Essentialist Shopping List
- Only write at home, while you can tell what you actually NEED. (NOT WANT!!!)
- Describe the thing you need in detail. So you do not make compromise in the store because it is cheaper or whatever reasons.
- 💡Include your financial goal list at the bottom. Any reason you come up to buy random trinket should be weakened by this.
Now the inner thought ran in my brain earlier about these product changed into these:
- Adidas shoes: “I still have perfectly good similar shoes. After they becomes bad, I can re-consider.”
- Wireless hair iron: “The lady already said their technology is not perfect yet for battery, heating…(the shop keeper actually told me that! )why be the lab rabbit to test it our for them? I can still use mine.”
- Fitbit: “you know what, I don’t want to have yet another piece of technology… I bet if i need to track distance, calories and all that with an app on my phone.” (I actually did find a solution, using Nike runner’s app. It is more than enough! It is free too.)
So to sum up… it is not easy to take 100% controls of our economical environment, and be on top of our desire of wanting things. we constantly imagining the illusion of better life with these things. But, if we become intentional of our money, being critical of what you add into your space… by practice and determination we will become more clear of what actually matter to us. And lastly… shopping, it is a happy things to do! I do like to occasionally shop, browse what kind of interesting things are out there too. However…
When you become to adopt minimalist mindset… believe me, you will see shopping for only what you need will amplify your happiness! 😁✨
bye bye, I will be here again! 🦑
Minimal Lifestyle. 
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