Date Archives June 2019

The Secret to Attracting Fortune, Abundance and Success

Book Reviews Self development Spending money June 30, 2019

It could have been a coincidence, but according to Jooyun Hong, the author of the book, “The Having”, and the guru that guided her through her journey, Suh Yoon Lee, there is no such thing as a coincidence.

Last Friday, practically, 2 days ago, I coincidentally met a friend that I haven’t seen or caught up with for a long time. We stopped for a short yet inspiring conversation and he recommended me this book, “The Having”. He actually said he finished this book at least 5 times! I mean the book was just published in February 2019.

I literally finished listening to it on audible in exactly 2 days, Saturday and today Sunday. With every chance that I can get to listen to it, I would take it, whether if it was getting ready in the morning, at the gym, in my long dreadful commute or even when painting my nails. I was hooked.

If didn’t have to go to work, I would have listened to it all night long.

4 Marketing tricks Uber used to convince me to take 2 more rides

Cognitive Bias Consumer Behavior Consumer Marketing June 25, 2019 1 Comment

I received a promotional e-mail from Uber… and right away, I was able to spot the cognitive biases and marketing “tricks” used to influence me to - take an action.

For a second I stopped and thought, “Oh wow… I am just starting to get my hands dirty into those biases and I am right away spotting them as I see them.” It was proud of myself for a moment.

Moving on.

When I first read it, I was tempted to take Uber more often, but then again I drive my own car, so using Uber on a daily basis isn’t really my thing, unless the car is in service.

Let’s find out about those tricks, shall we?

Which one of us doesn’t like free stuff?

Consumer Behavior Consumer Marketing Sales skills Spending money June 23, 2019

I broke one of my necklaces, so I had to go to the mall to fix it.

I was somewhat dreading that trip - as simple as it was. I dropped it off and left.

On my pursuit of spending less, I try as much as I can to avoid the mall visit… I ignore the sale text messages and pretend I have never received them.

Ring, ring. I get a phone call. My necklace is ready for collection. I once again went to the mall. This time though I didn’t leave right away. I thought, well, let me have a look. That’s what we do right? Some of us at least.

Wandering around and checking all those sale signs, trying to not get influenced, by the buy 2 get the 3rd for free promotions, I stumbled upon ladies representing one of the make-up brands, Gosh. They try to talk to me and I think they are trying to sell me something. Perhaps even let me try something for free… of course, so I can buy it once I like it. I tell them I am not looking for something.

They look at me and give me a bag… and tell me “This is yours.” I say, “What?” They tell me, “This is yours.” I am confused…

10 Psychology Tricks that Make You Buy more at the Supermarket

Cognitive Bias Consumer Behavior Spending money June 22, 2019

Supermarket Psychology: Product Placement is not Random

Supermarkets. Pretty standard, right?
It’s the one place everyone has been to and goes to on a weekly basis. Except, this isn’t the point. The point is, whichever supermarket you visit, it still has the same old basic arrangement of products. Try recalling the supermarket’s layout. So the veggies and fruits are placed at the entrance, meats, and cheeses at the back (always at the back), and let us not forget candy is at the cashier no matter what. Do you think it’s just a coincidence that all supermarkets happen to have the same design?

How many times have you bought goods you didn’t intend on buying when you first stepped into the store?

The arrangements of products inside a supermarket are not random; they are mainly categorized and organized in this way to indulge you into buying more. They are carefully designed psychological tactics to play with our shopping experience.

Why don’t we find out about some tricks? Shall we?

Why did I start wearing that special occasion dress in a typical day?

Self development Spending money June 20, 2019 2 Comments

While I intend to do the “spring cleaning” and do the occasional cleanup, I don’t get rid of as much stuff as I should.

Any messy person like me, who made the attempt to try to be more “organized”, and did a little Googling, will find Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying. Although I had a pretty failed attempt on following her footsteps, as I mentioned in I couldn’t be a minimalist and here is why, I did come up with the conclusion of having, keeping and buying only the stuff that I fall in love with. Stuff that makes me feel beautiful. Stuff that makes me happy.

I can’t help but notice though that I do have many many things that I keep for a special occasion. That dress that was on a special sale I bought 4 years ago and never “had” the chance to wear it. The silver heels that I bought for that special occasion and only have worn it once at that special occasion. The candle lights that I will light up when I want to pamper myself at home. The jewelry that will only be suitable for that special occasion… that by the way, doesn’t happen that often.

Refund your Deposits

Spending money June 19, 2019

Three years ago I moved from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. It was such a thrilling change. Even though it was only a 2-hour drive, it dramatically changed my life.

City girl. What can I say?

In both cities, I rented a place… and in both cities, I paid a deposit for my electricity and water bill. When we move-in, we incur a lot of expenses, and we somehow swallow the money we spend on the deposit because it is refundable once you move out.

Funny thing is though many people move out and even leave the country without refunding their deposits…

What is the biggest lesson you learned in your travels?

Self development Spending money June 18, 2019

Someone recently asked, “What’s the biggest lesson you learned in your travels?”

I didn’t have to think twice. The first thing that popped into my mind was…

Do not buy pre-arranged travel packages. Period.

Some of the beautiful ladies from The Solo Female Traveler Network mentioned, 50 Travel Tips on Spending Less, that one of their ways to make sure they stay on budget is to purchase everything in advance - that way, you know what you are getting yourself into.

I would agree if that was done by me as an organizer, using booking.com, Expedia or Airbnb.

I, however, have fallen into the trap that was fed by my urge to make an impulse decision - to book a last minute ticket through a travel agency, Holiday Factory. Apologies to myself for making this decision, and here is why I apologize to myself - and promise her to not ever fall into that trap ever again.

“That’s good”… Start with “That’s good”

Self development June 17, 2019

I was talking to a friend today about my day… and of course, like any human being, I would say something that might have upset me.

The response was?

“That’s good… It means …”

As I was going on the conversation, I was saying, “Maybe, but I think it could also be this… because of that…”

And then I get another response. He tells me…

The Experience Matters as much as the Music (Product)

Consumer Behavior Customer experience Spending money June 16, 2019 2 Comments

Music records.

Have you ever thought of buying those? I know I never did.

My generation grew up with tape cassettes, followed by CDs, then the mp3 players, then the iPod… and now, well, our iPhone.

But, music records? Those I have seen only in the black and white moves. Something from the past.

Not until I stumbled upon a collector. Someone who would search for the music record stores, who would look for them in hidden gems… Someone who would go to flea markets to try and search and find special records.

I might need that … so I buy it, I keep it, I pack it | Tales of an Excessive Spender

Spending money June 15, 2019

Building on my impulse decision I mentioned in my earlier post, Do impulse decisions screwup your finances?, I can’t help reflect on my possessions - or to be more precise, the number of possessions I have.

I know. It’s completely out of the blue. Some might think, it’s random, but it’s not.

You know how we work hard to get an apartment, then get a bigger apartment, then perhaps a deluxe… and all the way up to a house or villa?

That is reflected in our innate need for more.

I guess what I am trying to say is, that no matter what you currently have, you will always want something bigger.