Impulse Shopping
May 12th, 2006 by MarkAs I’m often keen to point out, the average American’s net savings is negative and at it’s lowest point since the great depression. I have to admit, I’m a bit of an investment nut. When I had a great programming job in the states, I was driving a beat up Toyota pick-up truck that I’d bought used, and paid in cash. My roommates who had pretty much equivalent jobs were driving sports edition cars, Jeeps, etc… nothing under $20k$15k. Later, I put myself through school with that money and felt mighty proud of myself for doing so. While I was working at Joy, during my first year in Taiwan, I spent under $5USD per day on food. Last year, when I was at Modawei, I spent about $10USD per day on food, while my co-workers were all spending at least double and upwards to five times that on food, power drinks, and so forth. I seemed to exercise perfect discipline over my finances.
However, the sad truth is that in spite of my desire to be frugal, I’m something of a fraud. I occasionally make absurd purchases. I usually convince myself they’re “investments” of one sort or another, but it doesn’t change the facts. Today was one of those days. I’m not quite sure how it happened, but I bought a lifetime membership at California Fitness. I used to go pretty often, but since there aren’t any gyms in Guishan, I hardly ever go there anymore. Somehow, I convinced myself it was an important investment in my health. I’ve really been wanting to work out more and get back in shape, but buying a membership I can’t use doesn’t do anything. It’s just a gesture, and an expensive one at that.
When I went back into the city to pick up some clothes at the tailor’s I had no plan whatsoever of buying anything else. I’ve seen that Friends episode. I know gym membership salespeople are dangerous. And yet, somehow, here I am $1500USD poorer, with a lifetime membership to a gym that doesn’t have a branch in the city where I live. I guess even “investing” can be impulsive and costly.
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May 12th, 2006 at 3:37 am
Heh - I’ve got me one of those. Stopped going to the gym when we moved to Taipei County. Now I’m a lard-ass, but I keep thinking it’s time to get back in shape. After all, I’ve got a LIFETIME membership! ~groan~
May 12th, 2006 at 5:42 am
hi. go to taipei often or move to there. I believe there is many job opportunities for you.
try it. ^^
May 12th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
I’m going almost every weekend now. Believe me I will move back there someday. Right now, I’m in the middle of a work contract (for a job I’m pretty happy with) in Guishan, but once that’s over, I’m outta here. My plan is to be a full-time student at a Chinese language center in a city that has conveniences like movie theaters, night markets, and gyms… preferably those of the same chain I just bought a lifetime membership for.
May 12th, 2006 at 1:26 pm
you are right. it is improtant for a job being happy with (depends on a lot of variables). if you want to move to taipei, consider some places such as Shida(師大), Shilin(林士 near Shilin night market) or Tianmu(天母 more expensive).
May 12th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Mark-san,
I often buy books on impulse. They have been piled up in my room and always put pressure on me to read them. From my own experience, I know that I will probably read most of them in a few years.
The important thing is to have such stockpiles around me to stimulate my intellectual curiosity. You do not need to worry about your lifetime membership anymore. It will slim you down sometime.
May 12th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
I’ve never met anyone who had to face the blowback from Columbine. Wow. Needless to say, my highschool friends and I cheered when it happened. Got your comments and am running out the door (I see your points); will get back to you on that later.
By the way, you would genuinely enjoy Mark Ames’ book ‘Going Postal’ (information at http://www.exile.ru). I sure did. He treats school and office shootings as quasi- slave rebellions.
-Brad
May 12th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Oh, by the way: California is expensive as hell but they’ve got good equipment. I say: good investment. Now, just go.
May 13th, 2006 at 1:14 am
Kanwa-kyudai san>>
Well-said!! I do the same thing with books. And I really enjoy getting “surprises” when discovering a good title that I’ve bought! I’m not that much a bookworm but I try to read as I can.
Mark>>
And as for the gym… it’s not that expensive condering you’ve got yourself a good start to keep in shape for better health! Investing on yourself is definitely worth it!
I tried to invest on computers and stuff before… total loser!! I spent wway too much money on unnecessary stuffs! Thank god I’ve changed my shopping habbit (leave my credit-card at home!! ALWAYS!!) otherwise, I will never get out ot the debt-loop.
I need the gym too!! Can I share your membership? You give me ‘half of your life’-time’ membership lol…
May 13th, 2006 at 11:34 pm
This week I purchased something that was absolutely crucial to the continued physical, emotional and even spiritual development of my person: stereo bluetooth earphones.
I can let you try them out next time you go to the gym.
May 21st, 2006 at 10:39 am
Ahh come-on… My sports car (Honda Civic Si) was only $16K. It wasn’t until I bought my Volkswagon GTI that I barely broke the $20K mark.
May 21st, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Really? Well done, Matt! I’d always thought that your sports car and Jason’s jeep were about the same. In any case, my $4,000 truck was the ugly duckling of the driveway.
May 31st, 2006 at 9:58 am
Hi there! I just found your site today. Lot’s of helpful info. I’m here in Taipei (from California) for a week to find a job teaching English, and hoping to move here in mid- to late June. I was wondering if anyone knows how someone like me, just moving here, would be able to invest in Taiwanese stock markets directly (ie without ADRs). Also, has anyone thought about investing in real estate here in Taipei? I’ve heard it’s expensive. Anyone have tips on either of these? Thanks.