Ever heard the quote "out of sight is out of mind"?
Well it basically means that people tend to forget someone or something when not seen for sometime.
This is exactly my strategy for this Christmas. This strategy has helped me to avoid making unnecessary expenses and to only spend on those things that even when out of sight, they do not leave my mind meaning that they are really worth spending on.
It's a special period of celebration, Christmas. Everywhere is brightly decorated and everything appears more colourful than usual and more appealing than normal.
Differentiating wants from needs has become a little bit more tricky and without intentional carefulness, one will spend on frivolities in a time of lack and possibly even overspend. Realization would then come at a time when nothing can be done about it.
I went to the market last week to buy a torchlight for my mum because her previous one got spoilt and she likes having it handy at night while sleeping. That was all I went to buy that very day but guess what? I ended up buying a necklace and a T-shirt.
While the T-shirt may have been necessary, albeit unplanned, the necklace was definitely a want which I should have forgone especially considering the amount of money I spent on it.
While at home and reconsidering my actions, I began to reminisce on the events at the market and how I fell into the trap of the traders. I remember vividly that when I took a glance at the necklace, the trader called my attention back and made me take a second and longer look at his wares which ended with me buying the necklace. The story was very similar with the top but I don't really regret that one.
Inorder to prevent a repeat, I went back to the drawing board and to my old pattern of writing a list of things to buy before heading to market.
While going for Christmas shopping which I did about two days ago, I wrote a very detailed list before going and I swore not to buy anything outside the list except it was really really important and possibly missed out of the list as a result of my own error.
Guess what? I saw a very beautiful watch, which I even tested😅
Luckily, the price called me back to reality and I quickly returned to my list.
I also saw a lot of very beautiful gowns which caught my attention and I wanted to buy some for my sweetheart but when I got to know the prices which are something else, I had to postpone buying it for now. So I just look away and take it out of my sight, after a while I forget the distraction and move on.
I am trying to be very prudent now because I have a lot of financial responsibilities waiting for me in January and I want to start the year on a strong note and hopefully the whole year pans out well.
All images are mine
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