I’m quite a calculative and thrifty person – even though I’m the only one in the family who is not from banking or accounting background. When I mean calculative and thrifty, I don’t mean calculating every single cent or chasing after people just because they owe me 20 cent. What I mean is, I tend to save money more than spending them. Oh, and I tend to brainwash myself into not buying something I really wanted.

There are times when I would spend months just to decide whether I should buy a particular item – the more expensive it is, the longer I will take. For example, the new laptop that I bought took me a whole 6 months to think about it – how much do I need to pay every month, do I really need it, what are the things I want to use it for, is there any cheaper option, bla bla bla. Yes, that is the type of person I am (but funnily, I don’t mind spending money on my family).

Sometimes, my parents feel both happy and sad after seeing me like this. Happy because I’m a financially conscious person and know how to manage my money well …sad because I’m reluctant to buy something which I really wanted (I don’t really have many WANTs).

Then one day, my dad told me a story about his friend. This friend of his is a very nice guy but just like me, he is also a pretty thrifty person. He would only spend when there’s really a need to do so. Otherwise, he would normally convince himself that he did not need it. In case you’re wondering, he’s actually quite rich. Few years ago, this guy was admitted to hospital due to cancer. Fortunately, he has recovered but the experience has completely changed his life. Nowadays, he still manage his money wisely but he is willing to buy the things that he wants.

After sharing with me that story, my dad said that it is good to spend wisely and even better if I don’t have too many WANTs (a lot of young people nowadays have too many WANTs that their credit cards could not accommodate). But life is short, and we should pamper ourselves once in a while by buying the things that we want. And there’s no need to justify every single thing. If you want something, can afford it and it won’t jeopardize your financial condition, then just buy it. Just be sure to utilize and cherish that thing after that.

Thinking about the story my dad told me and the advice he gave me, I feel that it is true. Life is short and unpredictable. If we don’t pamper ourselves now, when do we plan to do that?

Save for the future, but also use some money to pamper yourselves. We only live once after all.

p/s….Well, I’m not asking you to become like those people who have unlimited WANTs though….those are pretty unhealthy habits.