real talk: growing up frugal affected me 💸🫠💰

adulthood has been a very “whoa” moment in terms of realising how different financial values between people are. i realised that while the values i grew up with have served me in certain ways, i have to seriously unlearn some aspects of them which are unhealthy and unsustainable. 😕

i grew up comfortably in a family which provided for me, and i’m always grateful for that. yet, the mindset that was ingrained in my grandparents and eventually my parents - always be thrifty - drilled into me habits that i’m still struggling to shake off now when i’m making my own living. save money, minimise wastage, say no to stuff that are not essential - these statements still live in my subconscious and affect my daily decisions.

i’m a huge foodie and love cafe hopping, but often choose my meal based on the cheaper option, instead of what i really want. i love travelling and new experiences, but i feel terrible when i can’t book the cheapest flight and hotel or miss out on a deal. i never ever cab unless absolutely necessary, and tbh i don’t even consider it an option.

adulthood means this messy balance between having so many more opportunities, yet still having that voice in my head. in fact, the awareness has never been clearer, and i don’t know why it’s so hard to shake off this toxic saving mindset, even when its the expense of my happiness. can anyone relate? 😔

i know it will be a work in progress, and it won’t be easy to shake off my entire mindset that has taken years to form. but i’ve written down some habits below that i want to consciously remind myself to practise:

• buy the food you want, not just the cheapest item

• don’t hold on to new things till they spoil just bc they feel “precious” - use them

• it’s okay not to get the best deal every time - the time spent researching how to save money could be better used elsewhere

• pay for your convenience or safety - it’s worth it

i’ve only known #mindfulspending all my life, but i don’t want to obsess over saving a few cents, take it too far, and miss out on life in the process. here’s to spending purposefully, but not at the expense of what brings me and loved ones happiness. 🥲