Financial Scale

It’s been nearing to 5 years since I moved to Bangalore and imagine how many films I might have watched in theatre/multiplex during this long period. Yes, you are right. Its hundreds together, yet you may not believe that among these several hundreds of films that I have watched in past 5 years, hardly only around 25 films I might have watched on weekend!

The reason is very simple. During weekends, the film price is too high compared to weekdays & I’m not ready to spend that much for a film. This has become like my mentality. Film might be long awaited & big release but still I prefer to skip watching it over weekend as I do not want to pay that extra ‘x’ bucks on weekend as the same film can be watched at lesser price on weekday.

On the other hand, strangely, on weekends, I would be spending more than ‘x’ bucks (some 2x or 3x) doing something else, for something which might be unnecessary and that is "okay" for me, but I won't pay extra just ‘x’ bucks to watch a film on weekend! That has become my mindset over the years.

When I was hiring my maid for household activities, few months back, I was trying to bar gain her salary. I still remember that I was bothered about paying some small amount ‘x’ extra which otherwise, I would have usually spent without my knowledge. Similarly there are other such scenarios, where I bother for the same amount of ‘x’ while spending on something but not much bothered spending the same ‘x’ amount on some other thing.

What I want to convey over here is, everyone will have their own scale for financial matters. Someone A is “okay” to spend amount 'P' on contributing for birthday party while other person B find excuses not to spend but B might be ready to spend the same amount 'P' somewhere else where A would have found excuse not to spend.

We all have such kind of mindset about spending money on particular things. This kind of mindset would have been developed within us over the years. I term this mindset, as financial scale. Each one of us will have our own financial scale. Few are ready to eat outside, while others say, why to waste money on outside eatables when we can go home & eat. Few others are like, why to waste money on watching films in theatre while it will be aired on TV in few months. I have even seen people (in Dharwad), who are ready to walk couple of bus stops just to save some money as ticket price will be less from that bus stop.

What I’m trying to conclude over here is that, when we meet new people or when we come to know about “known” peoples financial mindsets, don’t be judgmental. For example, when you have been to a restaurant with friend & he isn’t ready to give proper tips doesn't mean, he is “kanjus” or miser. It is his financial scale for paying Tips which may not be similar to yours. He might be ready to spend money on travelling to home in auto while you would tell, why to travel in auto while bus is cheap & convenient . This is your financial scale on travelling which may not match with his.

So finally, the conclusion is very simple. Just realize that each and every individual will have their own financial scale which may not be similar to yours. Don’t be judgmental about them based on their financial expenditures. That's not fair!