Why Buy It Next Time When I Want It Now?

And so begins the one week of holidays (or is it pseudo-hols?) It'd seem that all my evenings for the week are already occupied, and a couple of (the limited) mornings and afternoons are taken up too. That kinda leaves little time for the DVDs I wanna watch, books I wanna read and the dreaded Pathology I'd probably need to force myself to start studying. And therefore, from the outset, it appears that this 1 week will be a meaningfully spent one, despite having no tennis to watch until the US Open begins the week after. (Federer is now leading 6-1, 0-3 in the Cincinatti Masters. Hopefully he'll wrap up the match this set)

With regards to EOPT, there's really nothing much to say, but to really thank and praise God for really nice examiners (who gave me the feeling that they really do try their very best to help you pass) and for indeed, peace during the test proper itself (though the experience while waiting for the 1st 2 shifts of students to finish can be pretty nerve-wrecking).

But all that above is really besides the point. I happened to see this plastic bag from metro in the kitchen (the place I frequent most during tests and exams, probably contributes to my apparently increasing abdominal girth. Hopefully it's just my imagination ) a couple of days back, which says in huge font, "Why Buy It Next Time When I Want It Now?" Says pretty much about what appeals to the masses nowadays, doesn't it?

Since young, I've always been thought to spend within my means. My mum would always tell me never to “先洗未来钱” ("spend future money" - in Canto). And I always thought I never will, or even be tempted to. But with the ownership of a credit card, things get a little more complicated. Some may say, "Just don't get a credit card!" They're probably right. But the 'Aunty' side of Emmett tends to like the idea of getting points for charging things to his credit card, with the rationale that he's still spending within his means. And true to his resolve, he has been clearing all of his bills and not accumulating any interest.

But, the problem comes when there's something that I'd really really wanna buy. Like the 5 seasons of House M.D. (I know the 6th season is gonna be showing soon). Or some British first-day covers which cost like $10+ each. Or the endless list of DVDs (which I sometimes seriously doubt that I'll have time to watch). But with "Why Buy It Next Time When I Want It Now?" in your face, it becomes so much easier to succumb to the shiok-ness of instant gratification.

So what to do? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Don't own a credit card
2. Don't own a credit card (Don't have an aunty mindset)
3. Charge only what you can afford to your credit card (Of course, I'm speaking from a young adult's point-of-view when I don't need to pay for any big-ticket items at this point in time. I don't know, maybe working adults have an important use for credit facilities)
4. Don't accumulate interest on your credit card by clearing your debt monthly
5. Save up a portion of your allowance (I have to admit I'm not a particularly good saver. Besides setting aside my tithe, I don't really plan that much, 'tho I do keep track of my accounts meticulously.)

Nothing really new. You can probably find some of these tips in the "Invest" section in Sunday Times. But as you can see, 'tho practical these may be, they're not the easiest to abide by. Personally I only manage to keep to point 4. Time for improvement.

So hopefully, to all out there, when you next see, "Why Buy It Next Time When I Want It Now?" Think twice, thrice, or as many times you would, before you whip out that credit card. Better still, just walk away, or close that online shopping browser window. That's what fleeing from temptation means right? (:

P.S. Btw, the aforementioned items are not a 'trying-to-hint-discretely' wishlist, just in case anybody gets the wrong idea. (: Although should anyone have any intention to add these things to my collection, they're most certainly welcome :p

And Federer just won his 61st career title. 6-1, 7-5. A few fantastic shots. Really superb shot-making. Anyone wants to watch the US Open finals together? :D