Thursday, August 10, 2006
Something that I have learnt and tried as much to practice here is probably budgeting. Some how back home, I would not really think twice before getting something (at least the period before I came over).
Than when I am here, I try my best to reason out whether I really need it before making a purchase. Surprisingly, more often than not, I have managed to reason myself out of buying the item. But that does not take away the fact that I still hope to buy it some other time.
What amazes me is that after a while, I would think or look back at the item and the whole reasoning process will occur all over again. An example of that would be my camera's vertical grip. I have reasoned myself out of buying it about a couple of months ago and lately I have the urge to buy it again. Once again, I find myself reasoning on why I should not get it. I think the same will be for the camera back. Something tells me that I would be yearning to get it in a couple of months.
Weighing the pros and cons is definitely a good practice but the problem is that sometimes, you end up making the decision a little too late. That is one of the things about shopping here, in particular sale items. You really have to make just about instant decisions. A wait for a few days or a couple of hours can result in whether you can get the item.
At times, I wonder whether all this budgeting is worthwhile. I mean, sometimes I opt not to go to certain places or take up interesting courses simply because of the prices. The admission fee to most places (where there is one) is often over $10 and can go all the way till about $70+ (and I am only talking about the more common attractions). On one hand, I think that I should just spend the money and go to those places as I will only be here once. But the other side of me tells me that I can probably spend the money elsewhere. The latter is a stupid excuse when you use it all the time as you will probably just not go anywhere or use it.
I also wonder whether that is the reason why I rather not hang out with that many people here or make that many friends. I mean some of the Singaporeans over here just spend money without thinking. The logic some people have with regards to buying a particular car over here is ridiculous. Here we have people who go all out to buy cars that they think they probably cannot own back home. Mind you, these cars still cost about 30k for a second hand (some over five years old).
There are some who take weekend trips here can there. Well, at least it is money well spent for they can at least say that they have been places or explored the whole area well. Problem is that each trip will easily set you back over $100. Dining too is another thing which Singaporeans love and it is amazing how many places some of them have tried.
Weirdly enough, back home, I would have no qualms about spending money on food but somehow, the same cannot be said when I am here. Likewise, I even think twice about getting a drink from the coffee joints, even though the drinks cost around or less than those back home.
Well, I think maybe it is the people we (more of Mag) hang out with as I am sure that there are a lot more who spend even less than us (or maybe me). People say that you should try to get the most out of your experience here and I admit that I had that notion before I came here. But when I am here, the term carpe diem suddenly seem a distant memory.
I still remember that I had very much wanted to go whale watching when I am here, but I have yet to go for one. As the whale watching season is coming to a close, I think I will miss it. Likely, at the end of the next season, I will say that I missed it again.
What irritates me is that people think that I have no idea what budgeting and am spending money without thinking. It really hurts me especially when it is people close to me as they really have no idea how much I have tried to budget. I hate the comparison with other people especially when they live in different states. I mean, cut me some slack. I am trying my best not to spend on unnecessary things or at least what people may think as unnecessary.
But than again, I do cut back from spending what people may deem as necessary too. After much thinking through, I do not think that I will be getting sunglasses. Reason being that it cost way too much because of my damn prescriptions. Paying over $500 for a pair is really way too much (the lens alone cost over $350).
And because my prescription is so high, I am advised to get the more expensive frames. Not because they want to fleece me but because the more expensive ones are able to hide the thickness of the lens. Think one of the cheapest suitable frame will easily cost over $200.
I checked out the prices back home and I have been quoted very similar prices. Anyway some of the opticians that I have asked when I was back home are pretty dodgy too. The seem pretty much keen on closing the deal and do not really bother where the sunglasses look fine or if the frame etc is suitable. Some will even press you to get the really expensive frames or hint towards those. There are others who do not really bother explaining to you what available lenses there are the how they work.
The opticians I have been here will say in advance that it is pretty costly and will recommend the cheapest among the suitable frames. Though they have frames that cost over $600, they would recommend those around $200.
An optician I went summed it up pretty well. She said that the idea of a pair of sunglasses is to protect your eyes. So you might as well get a proper pair that give you maximum protection rather than one that half protects. Best part about that shop is that it is probably the least expensive among all the others I have been and they are a fairly reputable one too.
Silly as it sounds, I do not think I will get the sunglasses despite knowing the intensity of the sun. $500 is simply too high and I refuse to wear clip ons or wrap around as I think they just look bad. Moreover, the latter are way too big for my face. So in the mean while, I will just not whine about it, content with seeing spots after being under the sun and avoid going to places that can reflect the sun (which is just about everywhere).
he spoke at 8:13 am
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