2022 has been my MOST SPENDY year yet. There are SO many things I simply bought on a whim. I kind of regret it, but it also exposed a side of me I didn’t know existed, so I guess I am thankful for it. I thought of myself as a higher being who is not tempted by materialism. I was very wrong. So very wrong.

And the reason I made this list and published it is because I want YOU to know, everyone is FLAWED. Everyone has their INSECURITIES. Everyone has IMPULSES.

IT’S OKAY. As long as you can look at it and be honest with yourself, you’re taking a step in the right direction.

Things I spent MINDLESSLY on –

• Booze. Boy did I waste money on this. I wish I was the sort of person who would regret this expense lol. I’m sure there IS a small part of me, deep deep inside which wishes I didn’t spend as much as I did.
• Knick-knacks. I went on a long-awaited trip to the US to visit my sister this year. I went around buying ALL the magnets I could find because I believed my fridge has an infinite surface area. I bought postcards, I bought some fancy-shmancy coffee-table book and all sorts of trinkets. I don’t even know where most of them went.
• Fit-bit. I forgot the charger in the US and skimped out on the charger here, so now it’s useless.
• Crap I eat. Lordy lord. If my mother sees this post, she’ll probably shudder with an equal amount of anger and disappointment. (Yes, I’m 31, and yes I’m scared of my mom). I have ordered so much food online and paid SO much for food delivery, that I truly believe that industry stands on my shoulders right now.
• This is embarrassing. As an Indian woman, I have A LOT OF body hair and I’m constantly looking at QUICK and EASY and PERMANENT ways to get rid of it. So, on a day filled with whimsy and optimism, I bought a laser-hair-removal-do-it-at-home kinda device. I can’t even recollect its name. I bought it with a lot of gusto six months ago and planned on using it regularly like a good child. And it remains an unexecuted plan.
• Skin care products. Woo-Whee. I did go a little nuts with this. There are just too many things available in the market right now. I don’t know whether to sob or jump with glee. ‘What could you possibly buy?’ you might ask. Here you go – probably bought three or four or five moisturisers (oh who can remember), bought an expensive perfume for myself (which still sits UNOPENED), bought an entire set of hair serum, lip serum, face-wash, toner and all the things needed for a soothing morning routine. How many times have I performed this routine? Oh I could count this in one hand. How do I take care of my skin now? – I do the barest of the bare minimum. I wash my face. Thats all.

I would call the below list – the inbetweeners

• I… bought… an iPhone. I’ve been pining for one for years now and finally my partner talked me into it? Do I regret it? No. Do I love my phone? Yes. Is this the best thing I could have done for my financial health? Nah. Does this sound like I’m trying to convince myself of something? Possibly.
• Clothes. I think I could’ve bought wayyy less? I bought clothes to go to the US and bought clothes in the US. And I don’t even go out all that much. I mean I haven’t bought clothes in years, so I guess it’s not such a bad thing. But man, I really wish I had been a little more mindful about this purchase.

‘Woman, you’re a train-wreck.’ Wait wait. I did SOME mindful spending.

• Health Club membership – This actually helped me streamline and focus on my health for the very very first time in my life. It made me inculcate some semblance of discipline. And now, I’m happy to say, I’ve been swimming almost every day.
• Traveling to the US – Meeting my sister with my mom. Meeting my friends. Spending quality time with them. Well worth the trip. Would do it again.
• Holiday in Goa – Needed this. Desperately.
• Books. Bought twenty-odd books. I was losing my mind a little and needed the distraction.
• Therapy and medication – I was an actual train-wreck in 2021. But 2022, I think I’ve become a more normal human being. Could not have been possible without this.
• Youtube Premium – I cannot stand advertisements. And this is well worth the money.
• WordPress account – Hey! It made this whole website a possibility and I’m glad I did it!
• I’m getting married in 2023! Yup, and spending a fair bit for it. No regrets.