This is my two bits on the 'Urban Poor' article on Buzzfeed. You can read the Buzzfeed article here.
Thank you for the writing the article on this issue as ,going
by the number of shares ,it is clear how many youngsters relate with the sentiment. It was beautifully written and the article thankfully puts a spotlight on the misplaced priorities of the newly earning class; all for appearances.
The piece is but a reflection of the problematic ‘peer pressure’. It is not to be pitied upon but must be seen as a red herring; we must stay strong against the allure to put up appearances at the cost of our basic needs. It is natural as humans that we try to fit in but to the point where logic and priorities take a back seat, no. Of course, there will be times when you have to spend, but that’s what savings are for.
Where I disagree with the article is the emotion being conveyed. Yes, the initial years of earning and spending all that we earn on lifestyle expenses makes sense but post 3 years of work, in your late twenties if you are doing the same mistakes it just lacks any sense. And that doesn’t deserve empathy but only a big fat Jackie Chan emoji!
The piece is but a reflection of the problematic ‘peer pressure’. It is not to be pitied upon but must be seen as a red herring; we must stay strong against the allure to put up appearances at the cost of our basic needs. It is natural as humans that we try to fit in but to the point where logic and priorities take a back seat, no. Of course, there will be times when you have to spend, but that’s what savings are for.
Where I disagree with the article is the emotion being conveyed. Yes, the initial years of earning and spending all that we earn on lifestyle expenses makes sense but post 3 years of work, in your late twenties if you are doing the same mistakes it just lacks any sense. And that doesn’t deserve empathy but only a big fat Jackie Chan emoji!
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| source-joshthepikachu2123.deviantart.com |
Spending your hard earned money is great especially spending
on yourself. Being self-sufficient is a new high, more so after the broke days of college. Indulging in luxurious retail therapy or
spending a lion’s share of your salary in making yourself feel good is
definitely acceptable. I have no problem with materialism. And this is what
particularly irked me about the article, there was no instance of these young
people feeling satisfied with their expenditure. And how could they be, when you
are making yourself feel bad for the rest of the month? If the balance in your account is depleting
faster than Airtel 4g (ok bad one, I know :P), then there is clearly a lack of
basic financial know-how and in the larger and much more glaring level, the absence
of self-confidence!
And if this bad prioritizing is due to the media
propagation, then this is just a bad excuse. Everybody knows of the unrealistic
‘vacay’ goals set by media, you are not a Kardashian and being in your twenties
is not the same as being in your teens. This must be seen just as the photo shopped magazine covers, unrealistic body goals and the often seen protest against them. If you haven’t realized the truth up
till now, the Buzzfeed article is truly a blessing, wake up! You are not in
Mean Girls and you don’t have to join the plastics.
I would’ve loved it had the author as an extension of
pointing out the stupid spending tendencies, also would’ve expressed ways to
put a stop to this. I am particularly intrigued by her suggestion that at the
interviews at these posh cafeterias, the interviewer doesn’t pay for the
expenses? (This is probably a sign that, this is a company you shouldn’t work
for).
I would’ve loved it had she along with looking after her juniors had asked her superiors to
reimburse the employees for their work trips late night! (which as far as I know happens in a
majority of companies already).
She sympathizes with the newbies having to board a bus due to the light wallet or stifling a sob and goes on to feel the humiliation about be laughed at for not owning an iphone. Now this here is problematic, first there is a need to stop stereotyping and looking down upon buses as a medium of commute, this is the first step of creating pretenses. Second, Iphone isn't the holy grail and third, even if you are spending a whole lot on putting up appearances, then you should suck it up and not feel pity for yourself. IT WAS YOUR CHOICE. Don’t tell me that society is like that and you have to do such stuff, because this is bull shit. The reality is there is always a way and the truth is that you lack confidence. You are bullying yourself. If you are still getting swayed away by the media painted life in your twenties, then god save your future children.
She sympathizes with the newbies having to board a bus due to the light wallet or stifling a sob and goes on to feel the humiliation about be laughed at for not owning an iphone. Now this here is problematic, first there is a need to stop stereotyping and looking down upon buses as a medium of commute, this is the first step of creating pretenses. Second, Iphone isn't the holy grail and third, even if you are spending a whole lot on putting up appearances, then you should suck it up and not feel pity for yourself. IT WAS YOUR CHOICE. Don’t tell me that society is like that and you have to do such stuff, because this is bull shit. The reality is there is always a way and the truth is that you lack confidence. You are bullying yourself. If you are still getting swayed away by the media painted life in your twenties, then god save your future children.
I know people think, it is easy to say than act. But the bottom line is, money is never going to be enough, and
didn’t the panama papers clear that for you? The author has rightfully pointed
out the sad priorities of the newbies in the earning bracket. Whatever happened to having fun and seeing the humor in being broke.And this is why it is important
to ADD to her article, the clear and simple-spend in your limits and of course
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