Mindpower – Happy Spender
Our Junior Fashion Editor Tsakane Ndlovu tucked away her bank card for a month and these are the money lessons she learnt…
Igrudgingly accepted the challenge because I knew that at some point I’d have to stop spending my money like I’m spinning out of control, when I’m actually not. If my bank card could cry every time I pull it out, it would — without a shadow of doubt — cry for help [chuckles]! A part of me blames my dad for this because I think I inherited this spending habit from him. My dad goes into the shop to get one item and walks out with 10. I always thought it was funny, but little did I know that I’d turn out just like him. I remember this one instance where he had a sore throat and said he wanted to make a quick stop at Dis-Chem to get some Strepsils. Needless to say, he walked out with the entire pharmacy in a plastic bag. He had bought medication for everyone in the house, for literally all sorts of ailments.
And that’s exactly what I do, I walk into Clicks to buy one toileteries and leave with two plastic bags of sweets, chocolate and wet wipes. Every month I draw up a budget, but never seem to get it right. I spend 60% according to the plan and the other 40% goes towards living my best life. My impulsive spending has escalated to a point where it is affecting my future plans — which include travelling and studying further.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
When I started my job as a fashion and beauty assistant, I literally spent 80% of my time at the mall and was always exposed to all sorts of temptation. It started as a “let me spoil myself a little” by buying an expensive slice of cake which cost R70, which is ridiculous. All in all, this challenge forced me to be disciplined and was honestly one of hardest things I have ever agreed
to. At some point, I actually regretted accepting it.
STRATEGIES
A week after I accepted the challenge, I lost my bank card, so instead of replacing it immediately, I delayed the process of getting a new one. I was without a card for almost three weeks which really helped even though it felt weird. Sometimes I would go to the stores and shop up a storm only to remember when I got to the till that I had no means of paying [chuckles]. Returning the goods to their respective shelves was always so embarrassing — oh, that walk of shame but it saved from spending unnecessarily.
CHEATING
Yes, of course I cheated *hides face* .... when I was in at Sandton City one afternoon. That mall is the devil, by the way…I was returning merchandise after a photo shoot. While I walking around Mr Price, I saw these really cool earphones which I had to have. Because I had lost mine, I thought, ‘oh well, buying them won’t hurt anyone’. But deep down, I knew I didn’t really need them because my colleague, Palesa Vilakazi had lent me a pair, and had said I could use them for as long as I needed to. After buying the earphones, I immediately opened them, with great excitement, only to find that they weren’t as cool as I thought. So I put them back in the plastic bag. And guess where they are now? At home, just lying there — R89,99 later.
LESSONS LEARNT
I learnt so much about myself in this process. I learnt about the power of the mind because each time I’d say, “No Tsaki’’ it would oblige. I control my mind. I’m also learning that if it’s not on my budget, then it’s not urgent or important — and I can always get it later.
I also learnt that I’m an emotional spender; when I’m stressed retail therapy makes everything so much better. A colleague recently introduced me to Pastor Michael Todd, and each time I listen to his YouTube sermons,
I feel like I can take over the world and forget about splurging.
GOING FORWARD
I plan to have less cash in my wallet and to leave my bank card at home sometimes. That really helps. Having just enough cash on me, means that I’ll use the money wisely.