Being economical vs being a cheap ass
I'm going to rant a bit.
Ever notice how some people, despite a nominal RM1 parking charge Will Still Park Outside and BLOCK TRAFFIC?
Yessss.... so I've come to label them as "cheap asses". Cheap. Ass.
Of course their justification would be, "Oh you know, anywhere you can save a dollar, why not?" etc etc.
I agree. One should save where one can.
But if you become a NUISANCE in your so-called quest to save money, then you are a Cheap Ass.
Here is my definition of being economical:
Saving money through proper planning and creativity.
Let's break it down:
Proper planning = planning your trip to the mall to get whatever it is you need, knowing what's on sale, buying things you need (NEED, people. Not 'want').
Cheap asses don't plan. They just do whatever they want like go crazy, snatching stuff at sales, thinking they're saving money on parking by parking on the street, flood F&B outlets with their damn Groupon vouchers bringing down the quality of food and service for everyone.
Creativity = crafts and cooking skills that can save you tons of money if you can make stuff from scratch that works out to be cheaper AND more meaningful if you are making gifts, spending time with your kids to craft presents or bake / cook together. Personally, if someone gave me a gift of say, a jar of home made jam, versus an expensive store-bought box of chocolates - I'd value the home made jam much more because of the time and effort that went into making it.
Cheap asses think they are 'creative and smart' by bending or breaking the rules to get what they want without paying for it. They think they're smart by haggling for a discount in a crude way (Middle Eastern tourists, I'm looking at you. We don't operate like souks here, ok? Fixed price means fixed price.).
One last thing, being economical doesn't mean you want everything "cheap", what you want is to pay the correct level of Price to the level of Value that you derive.
Remember, all this is perception. If you value something, you would pay the price for it, would you not? So if you perceive a disjoint between the price and value (i.e. you may feel that paying thousands for a handbag is too much because you don't see the value in such a bag) that's perfectly fine. Just don't buy it. But don't bitch about it.
If you WANT such an item but you don't have the money, then either you make more, or save more, then you can afford it. But don't bitch about it and do all sorts of stupid things to get it like buy fake goods to pretend you have it or go into debt to get it and worse of all, like those girls who sell sex for designer goods! Aiyo, why go to that extent just for a handbag or branded shoes?? Goodness.....
Phew, glad I got that off my chest :)
So the question to ask yourself:
Are you (a) economical or are you (b) a cheap ass?
Hopefully (a) not (b) :)
Ever notice how some people, despite a nominal RM1 parking charge Will Still Park Outside and BLOCK TRAFFIC?
Yessss.... so I've come to label them as "cheap asses". Cheap. Ass.
Of course their justification would be, "Oh you know, anywhere you can save a dollar, why not?" etc etc.
I agree. One should save where one can.
But if you become a NUISANCE in your so-called quest to save money, then you are a Cheap Ass.
Here is my definition of being economical:
Saving money through proper planning and creativity.
Let's break it down:
Proper planning = planning your trip to the mall to get whatever it is you need, knowing what's on sale, buying things you need (NEED, people. Not 'want').
Cheap asses don't plan. They just do whatever they want like go crazy, snatching stuff at sales, thinking they're saving money on parking by parking on the street, flood F&B outlets with their damn Groupon vouchers bringing down the quality of food and service for everyone.
Creativity = crafts and cooking skills that can save you tons of money if you can make stuff from scratch that works out to be cheaper AND more meaningful if you are making gifts, spending time with your kids to craft presents or bake / cook together. Personally, if someone gave me a gift of say, a jar of home made jam, versus an expensive store-bought box of chocolates - I'd value the home made jam much more because of the time and effort that went into making it.
Cheap asses think they are 'creative and smart' by bending or breaking the rules to get what they want without paying for it. They think they're smart by haggling for a discount in a crude way (Middle Eastern tourists, I'm looking at you. We don't operate like souks here, ok? Fixed price means fixed price.).
One last thing, being economical doesn't mean you want everything "cheap", what you want is to pay the correct level of Price to the level of Value that you derive.
Remember, all this is perception. If you value something, you would pay the price for it, would you not? So if you perceive a disjoint between the price and value (i.e. you may feel that paying thousands for a handbag is too much because you don't see the value in such a bag) that's perfectly fine. Just don't buy it. But don't bitch about it.
If you WANT such an item but you don't have the money, then either you make more, or save more, then you can afford it. But don't bitch about it and do all sorts of stupid things to get it like buy fake goods to pretend you have it or go into debt to get it and worse of all, like those girls who sell sex for designer goods! Aiyo, why go to that extent just for a handbag or branded shoes?? Goodness.....
Phew, glad I got that off my chest :)
So the question to ask yourself:
Are you (a) economical or are you (b) a cheap ass?
Hopefully (a) not (b) :)
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