Treating yourself and small joys

"Little treats" vs major life milestones

Doom spending and the "little treat" economy

Balancing present joy with financial security

Underconsumption vs collecting and hoarding

Practical budgeting strategies

Labubus, blind boxes, bubble tea. Why do we keep buying things we don’t need?

In this episode, Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss why people buy trendy but “useless” things as a way to treat themselves.

Is there a limit to how much a person can spend before it becomes indulgent? Find out about the “little treat” economy, and why people sometimes shift their spending towards small luxuries when bigger purchases start feeling out of reach.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:00 Introduction to treating yourself and small joys

4:37 "Little treats" vs major life milestones 

9:30 Doom spending, instant gratification, and the "little treat” economy

15:10 Balancing present enjoyment with long-term financial security

19:12 Underconsumption core vs collecting and hoarding

23:20 Practical budgeting strategies

Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/qfwqQ

Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X

Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa

Hosts: See Kai Wen (seekw@sph.com.sg) and Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg)

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim and Yang Jiesan Cruz

Executive producer: Elizabeth Law

Follow the Headstart On Record Podcast here:

Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3

Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9

YouTube: https://str.sg/3psqrx

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties.

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#headstart

Labubus, blind boxes, bubble tea. Why do we keep buying things we don&rsquo;t need?
In this episode, Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss why people buy trendy but &ldquo;useless&rdquo; things as a way to treat themselves.
Is there a limit to how much a person can spend before it becomes indulgent? Find out about the &ldquo;little treat&rdquo; economy, and why people sometimes shift their spending towards small luxuries when bigger purchases start feeling out of reach.
Highlights (click/tap above):
0:00 Introduction to treating yourself and small joys
4:37 "Little treats" vs major life milestones&nbsp;
9:30 Doom spending, instant gratification, and the "little treat&rdquo; economy
15:10 Balancing present enjoyment with long-term financial security
19:12 Underconsumption core vs collecting and hoarding
23:20 Practical budgeting strategies
Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/qfwqQ">https://str.sg/qfwqQ</a>
Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/A86X"> https://str.sg/A86X</a>
Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles:<a href="https://str.sg/mvSa"> https://str.sg/mvSa</a>
Hosts: See Kai Wen (<a href="mailto:seekw@sph.com.sg">seekw@sph.com.sg</a>) and Sue-Ann Tan (<a href="mailto:suetan@sph.com.sg">suetan@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced &amp; edited by: Amirul Karim and Yang Jiesan Cruz
Executive producer: Elizabeth Law
Follow the Headstart On Record Podcast here:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wB2m"> https://str.sg/wB2m</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wuN3"> https://str.sg/wuN3</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/wBr9"> https://str.sg/wBr9</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/3psqrx">https://str.sg/3psqrx</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter:<a href="http://str.sg/headstart-nl"> https://str.sg/headstart-nl</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties.
---
#headstart

Get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times.

Podcasters: Sue-Ann Tan & See Kai Wen

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producer: Elizabeth Law

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times.
Podcasters: Sue-Ann Tan &amp; See Kai Wen
Produced &amp; edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producer: Elizabeth Law
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Headstart On Record

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times.

Podcasters: Sue-Ann Tan

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times.
Podcasters: Sue-Ann Tan
Produced &amp; edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong &amp; Joanna Seow
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.