PRIVACY POLICY

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Friday, January 16, 2015

To be richer, do not indulge in creature comforts. Really?

I am definitely not one of Starbucks' favourite people as I always tell family, friends and readers of my blog that Starbucks coffee is very expensive. 

 I am always using Starbucks as an example of something that is really not a necessity in life. OK, for some of us, we need to drink coffee but do we need to drink Starbucks coffee? OK, definitely, their shareholders don't like me too.

 Well, this is one of the perils of being the leader in an industry.  Yes, whenever I think of expensive coffee, I think of Starbucks. 

 Depending on how you look at this, it could either be a good thing or a bad thing. So, maybe, they would look at it as a good thing, be flattered and don't dislike me that much.

 Anyway, there are times when I would indulge in a bit of Starbucks coffee although I am not much of a coffee drinker, preferring tea most of the time. Iced mocha? I rather like that although friends have told me that it isn't real coffee. It is more like a chocolate plus coffee mixture. Adulterated. OK, I am not into gourmet coffee nor gourmet anything. If I like the taste, it is good for me.

 So, when are the times I would indulge? Here is an example:




Yes, I know. I am terrible.

 I think some readers would remember that I shared what David Gan said in an interview before:

 "Tell you a secret. I have a bad habit. If it is not expensive, I don't buy."

 People like David Gan would look down on people like me.

 Well, AK has a secret too. Nah, I am not going to say it. I am sure you know what it is.

 Anyway, I do agree that there is nothing wrong with indulging once in a while. For example, why have only one Fillet-O-Fish for lunch? Have two!




Easily my favourite thing on the menu at McDonald's but at $3.95 each, it isn't cheap. However, it looks much better when we have this:




It is not about not indulging in creature comforts, it is about looking to get greater value for money and trying not to pay full price for anything.

 OK, I am feeling full and doubly happy now.

 Related posts:
1. Kopi with Song Stonecold.
2. A meal for $2.00 from McDonald's.
3. Seven money habits of AK71's.

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18 comments:

  1. SillyinvestorJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:57 PM

    Er AK,

    I just beat back my craving for KFC...

    Er....

    Now...

    ReplyDelete
  2. AK71January 16, 2015 at 8:09 PM

    Hi Mike,

    KFC is super expensive fried chicken. $3.30 a piece! Yikes!

    However, I have a lobang for you!

    10 pieces for $19. ;)

    Order online at www.kfcdelivery.com.sg. Serious! Indulge! ;p

    ReplyDelete
  3. RKJanuary 16, 2015 at 11:00 PM

    Hi AK, I have high regards for you money saving habits. But sometimes I do find it hard to accept that to save a few dollars, you have to compromise on the things you do like/enjoy, e.g. Filet-O-Fish or a certain fish from a mixed rice stall I read about sometime back. What is the point of reaching your level of financial independence yet can "afford" such indulgence only once in a blue moon? And they cost less than 0.1% of your monthly passive income! Don't get me wrong, I'm not despising your decisions, just curious to know if there's a bigger picture I'm missing out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AK71January 16, 2015 at 11:10 PM

    Hi Raymond,

    Oh, I assure you I have my weaknesses. Chocolates and ice cream, remember? However, even with these, I would insist on getting more value for money. ;p

    After so many years, frugality has become too ingrained in me. I don't think I can change anymore. The thing I must remember is to avoid being too extreme which I was from time to time in the past.

    I try to be less tight fisted these days. Still trying. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. yehJanuary 17, 2015 at 7:53 AM

    I try to download macdonald surprise alarm but unsuccessful.

    Is it can't install that app now anymore?

    ReplyDelete
  6. AK71January 17, 2015 at 8:20 AM

    Hi yeh,

    Really? Oh, my. I have no idea why this is so. A friend just installed the App last week at my recommendation and it was still OK to install. I am an IT goondu. I think you might have to give McDonald's a call to find out why it does not load. -.-"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yehJanuary 17, 2015 at 1:31 PM

      Hi ak.
      I tried to type McDonald's surprise or McDonald's alarm surprise.

      But i can't find any relevant apps.

      Or I typed in wrong key words?

      Delete
  7. pfJanuary 17, 2015 at 2:11 PM

    I guess after a while, being frugal becomes a habit. Same as being a spendthrift.

    Now my habit is for convenience. I won't find the most expensive thing to buy. Neither would I find the most cost efficient, value for money deal. Too much effort.

    Most importantly, whatever it is, I should like it and fits my purpose.

    I bought my flat. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. AK71January 17, 2015 at 2:40 PM

    Hi yeh,

    You might want to check out this website:

    https://www.mcdonalds.com.sg/surprisealarm/

    If you still have problems with the app, there is a "contact us" button you can click on at the bottom of the page. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. AK71January 17, 2015 at 2:44 PM

    Hi pf,

    Oh, I agree that utility is very important. I am pretty utilitarian myself. :)

    As for liking something, this is much more difficult to put a finger on. It could be that I would like something if it provided a lot of utility on a dime. I am so terrible! ;p

    Congratulations on becoming a home owner! Could I persuade you to contribute a guest blog on this? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. BPJanuary 17, 2015 at 5:34 PM

    I like starbucks. Not the gourmet coffee but rather the iced frapps. Indulge in it once a week while waiting for my OC to come out of church service.

    Great place to pass time. Spend only $6.80 for 2 hrs, enjoy the sofa seat, aircon environment and catch up with latest news online(free wifi). Pretty ok i think, could spend a lot more doing something else.

    Weekdays i drink normal kopitiam coffee. No starbucks at industrial places fortunately.

    ReplyDelete
  11. pfJanuary 17, 2015 at 5:38 PM

    Ok sure. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. AK71January 17, 2015 at 6:05 PM

    Hi BP,

    Sounds comfortable and yummy too. ;)

    OC = Officer in Command?

    ReplyDelete
  13. AK71January 17, 2015 at 6:06 PM

    Hi pf,

    Whenever you are ready. Thanks. haha.. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  14. yehJanuary 18, 2015 at 7:59 AM

    hi AK

    thanks you for the link, i successfully downloaded it and now waiting for the alarm to give me surprise. hahaha:)

    also
    today i have little mood, just go to check on how my portfolio doing. well, i saw semb ind , semb marine and keppel corp so cheap again.

    i just nibbled some:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. AK71January 18, 2015 at 8:26 AM

    Hi yeh,

    You are welcome. I hope you get nice surprises every morning from McDonald's. I also hope that you get nice surprises from Mr. Market. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. AK71January 19, 2015 at 8:23 AM

    Hi BP,

    OC = Wife? LOL. OK, understand now. ;)

    Well, as long as you are the CO, still OK lah. ;p

    ReplyDelete