My May Update: Getting Back on Track

In April, I was having a spending relapse. I was hoping that it’s only a state induced by work stress and not something that requires a major interference, i.e., another no buy year. Thank god, it’s not! It’s just a phase. Fuh, a sigh of relief.

MAIN HIGHLIGHT

I have to pause a bit to remember what’s the main highlight of my May. Simply because my sense of time is a bit perturbed at the moment. We’ve been in this fuLl lOckDowN (sorry my caps lock went loco) for a week but I feel like we’ve been in this for sooo long. But it’s just been a week! Such a weird time to be in.

Back to the highlight. So the main highlight of May 2021 was puasa and Raya. We’re celebrating Raya in a pandemic, second year in a row, and many have to spend it without being able to balik kampung. I’m so grateful that I got to spend puasa and Raya with my family – that could easily be my best main highlight of the year. I’m thankful.

SPENDING HIGHLIGHTS

1. Saved and spent RM1,500 for Raya

My Raya budget this year was RM1,500, all saved up by puasa thanks to my sinking fund! Hence, it’s a stress-free Raya, financial wise. And I spent all that by giving duit raya and treating my family. For full details, here’s my post on what I spent for Raya in 2021.

2. Spent RM163 for books

I mostly read e-books via Kindle. But I still buy physical books specifically local books. Last month, I bought few books from Gerakbudaya. Check them out if you haven’t, they have a wide selection of books by local and regional authors with critical and alternative perspectives of our world. By the way, they’re having darurat sale now, RM50 for 3 books until 13 June.

3. Spent RM372 for personal care

I don’t buy personal care products, i.e., skincare, shampoo, contact lens etc, every month. It’s a once in few months purchase. But I don’t know why they would usually finish up around the same time. Hence the big spending. Ah. But because they’re necessities, so totally fine.

AND THAT’S THAT

Fuhhh after two months of spending quite uncontrollably, I’m back on track. No buyer’s remorse in May. All’s good. Retrospectively, I can see the link between my stress level and financial decision. When my stress was high up, I would tend to spend recklessly. When all’s good, my money state is also good. So May was actually a good month.

Let’s continue figuringgitout.