My April Highlight: I’m Having a Spending Relapse

Another month, another new monthly highlight.

MAIN HIGHLIGHT – PUASA

I love puasa month. Waking up very early in the morning, going to bazaar Ramadhan, buka puasa and terawih with family and friends, seeing everyone so happy doing all those things, ahh the feels. At least that’s how I remember how puasa was before this whole pandemic.

This puasa, it’s also different. Even gloomier than puasa last year. Because this year we don’t only have to deal with the pandemic but have to deal with #KerajaanGagal. Political stance aside, let’s admit it. Our government has failed us in managing this pandemic what with their caca-marba SOPs and MCOs, and double standard execution and treatments.

On a personal and very petty level, I’m dealing with a fluctuating level of motivation. The lack of financial gains (in terms of increment and bonus) in my 9-5 job (not that I have a 5-9 job) makes me question my career trajectory. This is my first job and I’ve been in this company for almost 4 years now, perhaps time for a change? Besides that, I’m also considering making 2 big life decisions in the near future – getting my first home and my first husband married, I mean married, and only once in this lifetime pls. All these deserve a post of their own, later.

So ya there you go, just 3 adulting stuff (which I am very grateful to be able to even consider during this time). These seem very real and big for me, I’m not sure how to tackle this. As usual, let’s continue figuringgitout.

SPENDING HIGHLIGHTS

At least I can still grasp this menial part of my life. My spending highlights in April.

1. I paid RM685 for car insurance

Mandatory annual payment for my car (if you wish to read more on my car costs – read The Actual Cost of Owning My Car Every Month: Perodua Axia SE). Thank you for my third year of no claim discount (NCD), it’s quite lower than what I anticipated.

Also, thank you for my past self last year, I paid this out of my sinking fund. I save RM100 every month and by April 2021, I have RM1.2k for this purpose. So yeah, RM515 for myself!

And typical to my money management mechanism in 2021…

2. I spent RM513 on a shopping spree

Again, the same thing that happened to my tax refund (read My March Highlight), just happened again. I spent virtually all of the balance from my car insurance sinking fund! On scarves, shoes and heels, and handbags. Only leaving RM2 for myself. Sigh.

Am I having a spending relapse? Please knock some sense into me. I’m not happy to have to report this to all of you.

3. I bought electrical appliances for RM301

Besides some stupid money mistakes here and there, we’re also making some smart adult purchases. I bought a new Philips iron for RM103 to replace my broken iron; an Oral B electrical toothbrush for RM98 that has been on my to-buy list for long whzz whzzz; and a PerySmith cordless mini vacuum for RM99 for my car. I shared more about the electric toothbrush and mini vacuum in the 10 things I bought after my no-buy year post.

4. I accidentally paid RM127 for a subscription

Not smart.

ALL IN ALL

I’m not happy with my spendings pattern these days. Not happy at all. Let’s see how it goes this month.

Let’s continue figuringgitout.