What do you think of, when someone asks you if money can buy happiness? Can it? Is happiness achieved by buying the latest Mercedes, or the latest items in the fashion world? Or is happiness in spending money, but on food? On a bunch of flowers for someone special?
To assume that money cannot buy happiness is wrong. This is a very complex topic; one that can cause arguments for a lifetime. Since currency has been invented, humans have become greedy in their existence. However, patterns evolve over the years, decades, centuries; and now we have various kinds of mentalities. It is an old joke, would you rather be happy rowing a plain wooden boat, or would you rather cry in a Mercedes? What’s your answer to this.
Everything in this world begins and ends with food, clothing and love. The way these are splurged on are varied in nature. There was a time bare necessity were food, shelter, clothing and the occasional treat. However, now the bare necessities are food, coffee, home, second home, mobile phone, car keys, entertainment avenues, internet connections, etc. The list is endless
We are not very different from each other, no matter which part of the world we come from. We spend money, yes. We spend a lot of money. The question lies in, what are we spending money on?
I, for one, am a glutton. Almost all of my earnings go into spending on great tasting meals. The occasional sneaker or two, and a device when I know the one from 4-5 years ago is almost at its end. Clothes, not so greatly. A few pairs of shorts and some black t-shirts keep me just fine. I wouldn’t say the same for my friend, who says she has no clothes, when I wake up to see two closets full of them. Boredom, essentially, is what gets us to work our wallets. We get bored: of clothes, of devices, of accessories, of vehicles. We always want the newest stuff. New will never end, and our boredom will never end.
Have you thought of driving away to a different town to satiate your boredom? Have you thought of hitting the market and cooking up a comfort feast, when you are bored? Why tap straight on your mobile phones to see what’s new in the spending agenda?
COVID, the new member of our lives, has brought in quite the number of revelations in spending habits. In some we see the developing habit of conservation, of creating savings for a dry spell. We see how people focus their financial interests only in essential products – for some this is basic food, for others it is the newest product in makeup, or the latest Jordan. We cannot judge, for we probably have some traits of our own – hidden inside, showing face only when an interesting purchase avenue pops up. For me, a bespoke pair of handmade shoes would do it (I did recently discover SVED, a tempting place to get shoes made to my choices and preferences, and I cannot wait until my birthday to gift myself a pair).
But really, people all over the world have shown a change in their spending trends, owing to this pandemic. Some have realised that time is of essence and saving for the future is essential, and some have realised that time really is of essence and “I really should get that bag I wishlisted for so long!”. Both kinds are what make and break an economy. They keep it afloat, saving it from inflation or depression.
So many industries have been a victim of the pandemic; the hotel industry, travel agents, airlines, restaurants, movie theatres, these go on. We have been cheating on entertainment with shopping since the past 6 months. However, over the past few years, spending habits have evolved greatly.
This majorly has to do with a shift in mentalities regarding so many different things. Some expenses are fixed like rent, EMIs, premiums and education. These leave barely any room for self-pampering for some people. For others, it leaves space to buy things like jewellery, the occasional gifting, etc. However, the mindset I am targeting here, is the one where major spending has to happen for weddings – the jewellery, the venues, the food, the gifting. This has taken a major backseat in the past couple of years, owing to the changing perceptions of the younger generation.
It is the generation that says ‘Mom, don’t buy me jewellery, I don’t want a big wedding’, or ‘Dad, let me spend on this. I have saved money for it’. Whether fixed or not, this generation has become careful in deciding where to spend their money. Education has taken a turn, entertainment industries have changed the mindset of those that are pressured by times gone by.
People believe that spending money on travel, food and soul-searching methods is more important than spending on things that you are forced to hold on to. Parents have begun teaching children in ways other than traditional schooling. The K-12 method of education speaks for itself. Learn about nature, science and literature in ways other than textbooks. A personal interaction, a human connection is what is the main focus here.
There is much more soul in the thoughts that run through our minds as of today. Time is of essence, and we build on this by playing a balancing act of pampering ourselves and our loved ones.
I urge you to think, to reflect, retrospect. What causes your soul to flutter? Is it really the new pair of shoes on the market, or a meal cooked in your home with your own hands? Would you rather go to the cinema to watch a movie every weekend, or cozy up in your home reading a book and spending time with your family?
Because, at the end of the day, it is not our finances that make us rich. It is our habits. So, let’s build on these together!
Written By Anisha Masand
Week 41, October ’20
