End of November is when you settle all taxes and bills for the year. Same with a Government. They’ll clear out all payments . Balance the debit and credit . Once this is done you’ve got a clean state and a fresh start. December is all about fun and to shop. And you will think of what to buy and what not to buy. In preparation for the deep breath you are going to take tomorrow, begin to examine the way you approach money. That is a has- to- be done thing in Financing. That’s what money keeping books say.
To shop and shopping isn’t anything strange. It’s the shopping time for many SriLankans. Some getting ready for the Aluth avurudda and some are for Christmas .Go out. Carefully look at the passersby. Even shops. Whether it’s a grocery, a cloth shop or whatever people are flocked in. They will carry a hand full of bags. Even on rain drenched days. Shopping has no leave. Sometimes you just switch from shop to shop .And you buy nothing. It’s the experience of shopping or the anticipation to buy things that makes us happy.
Right now my mind is a pickle.
The idea that money can’t buy happiness seems to be a myth. Richer countries are happier than poor countries. Richer people in rich countries are even happier. Evidence is undisputable. Some still think money makes you happy. You just have to know what to do with it. I think.
Stop buying too much stuff.
Try to spend more money on experiences. We think that experiences leave us with nothing to show to others. Take simple things. Experiences are often shared. First when they happen, then again and again we tell our friends. But are you ready to share what you buy with others? Or you think you enjoy what you buy over and over again?
Festive seasons are a testimony for this. As the trend goes by, irrespective of gender politics and status everybody shops. Some shop in sophisticated super markets and some will stop at Pettah or Pamunuwa, well known for cheap stuff. Cheap or expensive doesn’t matter. You go on buying and buying. After the fun of Christmas or Aluth avurudda you are left facing a hefty bill. Some over shop and wrack up credit card bills to be backed by a parent or their partners. It can be hard to avoid credit pay in the festive season. But saving in the run up or buying what is most needed can soften the blow when all the fool is done and gone.
Things wear out, they get dirty, they perish, they get lost, and they break or get torn. When fixing isn’t possible we got to throw them. You‘ll buy a rug because it looks so pretty. You‘ll admire it the first few days. And time has a way of making it just a ‘rug’ thereafter. You aren’t happy with it anymore.
Buying is momentary happiness. And then you keep paying bills, loans and settling credit cards. Finding that paying is harder than buying. You’ll have to go through night shifts, extra working days or long hours of working. Especially for lower income earners. This makes us sad. Think of a time you’ve bought some equipment because it looks pretty. Later you realize there is no purpose. Then it goes to the bin. How many billions would have we wasted this way? It would have been much nicer to go on a trip with all that money. Spend time with someone you love or like to have around you. They make us happy. Moments will be treasured later. Definitely. It won’t be a waste. Never.
If you are slightly materialistic , nothing to be happy or to pat yourself on the back. Instead ask yourself whether you can justify the materialism you engage in. If you are materialistic , you ought to think of a way to control it. Life is a collecting exercise, we know this. Some collect clothes, some vehicles , some lands , some gold , silver , furniture and what not. But we should be more decent about buying and collecting.
Have you noticed that what makes us more happier is the act of buying? and not about how we use things ? That’s experience. Especially when comes to things we merely want and not for what we want.
I realized a while ago that I’m slightly materialistic. For techie things. I feel ashamed. How about you?
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