You know... The usual marketing stuff you hear on commercials...
Lines such as
For the more important things in life
- usually from bank/credit card commercials
OR
You only live once
- YOLO UOB Card
OR
You deserve to treat yourself well
- usually spa outlets, banks, credit card commercials
You know what? These things really work.
When people hear it, these words really trigger the responses of entitlement.
Like, I've worked so hard I deserve to treat myself well.
Or, everyone dies anyway, I only live once, I can just spend a bit more this month.
Or, my family is important, I should bring them on holiday, I don't spend much time with them.
There's always something to buy. Everyone wants something. Well, most people have something on their want list at any point in time. Who doesn't right?
So you see, these marketing campaigns are really there to pull your heartstrings. To just break your resistance at whatever point in time. Cos the desire is already there. It's not like there is no desire and they have to first create demand.
No. The desire is already in your heart and all these marketing material is really just trying to whittle down your discipline which is controlling your spending. These marketing messages are all about the NOW. Instead of planning for the future. Strange that on one hand banks are supposed to help people with their financial planning but yet on the other hand they want consumers to spend. Oh well, banks just produce products and are service providers anyway. But still... ironic isn't it.
And here comes the main problem. Banks or anyone for that matter, won't live with the consequences.
Once the marketing works, and you break your discipline, the spending starts. And guess what? Who pays the bills? Who gets into debt? Who incurs interest? YOU! Or rather, the spenders. I wonder why marketing is even legal. Considering a lot of marketing companies do research to tap into consumer's sub-consciousness and attack their weakest emotions. Why are consumers listening to people who have all to benefit from your consumption? And yet time and again, consumers are fooled by marketing campaigns and continue or increase their consumption. ie, singles day was created by Alibaba. Marketing, advertisements don't have consumer interests in their minds. They place the company's interest first. So guess who's the sucker?
So do you deserve this? Or that? I don't know. That's your decision.
You work hard, take care of your kids, it's tough right?
Well, I don't mean to downplay your deeds but you know what?
Everyone is the same. You aren't the only one. Well, you are the only you.
But really, you aren't the only dad, the only son, the only worker in the company, etc.
Everyone faces challenges everyday. And to think that you deserve to reward yourself with something more? Well, join the queue.
That's not to say you shouldn't. Sure buy something to make you happy once in awhile. But do it when you feel like it when you can afford it. Not when some marketing message tells you to do it NOW.
Make your own decisions, cos really, only you will live with the consequences.
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