Empty Money

Yesterday, I had breakfast at Organic Fresh. I ordered a smoothie bowl and a hot Thai tea. To my disappointment, the smoothie bowl was overly sweet and contained hardly any granola, making it nearly inedible. At approximately 300 baht, it left me feeling both cheated and unsatisfied, prompting me to seek a proper breakfast elsewhere. Serves me right for trying to indulge in Western “food” in Thailand! If I had been as wise as the Thais, I’d have opted for a breakfast of Pad Thai or noodles, at around 50 baht.

 

As I left Organic Fresh, I realized that I had consumed only 5% of my meal, indicating that 95% of my breakfast was wasted; both in terms of food and money. This experience led me to coin the term "empty money," reflecting my frustration over spending my hard-earned money on something that ultimately left me dissatisfied. Thinking of past purchases, I recognized that I’ve encountered such scenarios frequently: perhaps buying shoes only to discard them before they wore out or purchasing a shirt and only wearing it once before recycling it. Three months ago, I purchased a 500-baht pair of shorts that didn’t fit. Instead, I ended up giving them to a friend.

These instances highlight a troubling pattern of spending without reaping the satisfaction expected. So, is it possible to avoid these “empty money” experiences? As it turns out, most of us regularly regret spending on food, clothing, cars, tech, vacations, etc. The truth is, as we venture into new products and experiences, some dissatisfaction seems inevitable. Achieving 100% satisfaction from every expense is unrealistic, yet we often chase it. I was genuinely satisfied when I purchased my MacBook Air three (3) years ago. When I traveled to Vietnam in October, many of my culinary experiences were simply unforgettable. Satisfaction can be found, but it often falls short of perfection.

This discrepancy is a familiar dilemma for consumers, raising an intriguing question: Can we ever feel 100% satisfied with our purchases? Imagine if it were possible to insure against "empty money," protecting us from daily disappointments and ensuring that we could be refunded for faulty purchases and bad decisions. Many consumers might welcome this security, ensuring their expenditures came with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. But that’s wishful thinking. While complete satisfaction is illusory, acknowledging the reality of "empty money" could lead us toward more mindful spending. By recognizing this phenomenon, we can make more informed choices and strive for a deeper sense of fulfillment with our purchases.