It's quite ridiculous really.
After I embarked on my freegan journey...
Note, as I said before. I'm not 100% freegan. I just get a lot of things for free and spend money on things that can't be easily obtained for free.
But yet I don't desire much things so in the end, I don't really spend much anyway.
So most of my necessities are obtained for free or are paid for by the vouchers on the AIA vitality app.
The thing is... After living like this for a couple of months. It becomes apparent. For me, it's hard to turn back.
When I hear my friends talk on WhatsApp or post pictures on Facebook.
Or when I see my mum buy stuff from the supermarket. Or when I see people choose fruits at a fruit shop...
I can't understand it anymore.
When people send me a good deal saying they bought something at 3 for $10... I smile at them. It's hard to appreciate such things anymore.
When I receive a promotion sms from UOB, saying to spend $50 at a supermarket to obtain a loaf of bread.
I think it's humorous.
I get good artisan bread for free all the time. Why is there any need to spend money to get free bread...
There's no logic...
And when someone asks me things about financial planning. All the numbers go haywire. Cos when I look at the numbers.... All the numbers look so ridiculously large...
Why do you need $XXXX per month? You could do it with $YYY. You're retired. You have nothing to do when you're retired. So you can spend some time getting these stuff for free. It only takes about an hour or so a week. Furthermore, it's fun.
Now, of course I still buy things. There are things which aren't available for free, or something's which I am a bit more fussy about.
But the numbers are different.
I can easily say the required amount needed to retire is 30-50% less than what I initially thought was needed.
Even as I keep writing for this blog, I try hard to post relatable topics. Cos... It's really hard to talk about expenses anymore.
How do I go back to talking about good deals when I know the best deal is free?
It's just... Really really hard to go back.
How do I go back to being a normal consumer?
When I don't want much things.
And the things that I need are available for free?
What do I really need to buy?
When I start living my life in a certain way which I believe in, it's hard to turn back... Why would I go back to something which I believe is worse off?
Yes, everyone thinks what is better or worse differently.
Some people feel that they need to earn more so that they can spend more. That's absolutely ok. They believe in it and they work towards it.
For me, I always believed in living simply. And I experimented and was frugal and now I get things free. And this is the direction which I prefer.
It's probably impossible for me to want to go back to be a normal consumer. Why would I want to do it? Since it goes against what I believe makes people happy.
Now, when people talk to me about finance and budget and reduced spending... I can only smile... It's very hard for me to share my experiences in real life. When my mother-in-law asks about where I buy certain things... Or how much I pay for certain things... It's hard to answer without a long story to explain the whole situation.
So usually I give some text book answer. "Oh I don't use that item." Or some other response...
Life's just different now... How to go back to be a normal consumer...
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