How Businesses Have Tricked or Manipulated Our Minds to Become Poor

Indeed malls are being constructed everywhere in the Philippines causing unimaginable traffic to different parts of our country. Everywhere in the news and Internet we see different ads making us feel excited and happy because we want to purchase the latest gadgets or stuff you want to see. These ads have tricked and manipulated our minds into thinking that we need to purchase those things because it'll make us happy and even cool. In the end, this doesn't make us happy at all. For the average income earners, these unnecessary purchases can affect our savings in the long run. Or do we really have any savings at all?

I've known many people who have above average income but have failed to save enough money for retirement and emergencies. They had to ask help from relatives to help them pay for hospital bills. This is the dreaded cycle that many Filipinos experience. It is quite a familiar situation and most people will simply make up an excuse that there wasn't enough money to save in the first place. I disagree with this kind of mindset because it's already been proven by people who have achieved financial freedom that no matter how small the amount you save it will matter in the long run. So better start early when you save for your future. 

So, the lesson from all of this is to simply change our mindset about success. In my previous article, I've talked about the importance of believing that success isn't just about acquiring things that others don't have. It's not simply about having the latest MacBook or iPhone because reality is, the more money you spend the less money you save. That's just how the world works. Business don't care if you don't have any money left when you retire. What they care about is for you to keep spending your money at their stores so they can gain more profit from their business. To be fair with business, I really have nothing against them. That's just how it works. They tap on our weaknesses to gain profit. I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy anything but you should only buy what you really need. 

If you change how you perceive success by believing that people with more savings are richer than those who keep spending, then you will be successful in the end. You will have more savings and by the time you retire, you won't have to ask money from anyone because you have done your obligation. Don't ever rely on your children to support you when your old because they will have their own lives to lead and you can't become a burden to them financially. It is your responsibility to save for your future and for your children but it's not your children's responsibility to support you when you're old.