SHOPPING HAULS AND ECONOMICS

Shopping has got to be one of my favourite things to do, even if I don't buy anything. Just trying on pretty things, affordability and cash flow notwithstanding, makes me all smiley inside... :D Of course, when I DO get something, that fuzziness is magnified, followed inevitably by a pinch/pang/slap/stab of guilt. Following that logic, it's then natural for me to go crazy whenever I visit Malaysia, because in that scenario, the original stab becomes downgraded a few levels, sometimes to the point of being negligible. YAY exchange rates! Also, when I say crazy, I MEAN CRAZY. I'mt not just talking about buying more expensive items. I'm talking about extra facial cleansers, toners, creams, necessities, GROCERIES. Because why not? Obviously, this is also contingent on my parents having driven up north with enough boot space for said craziness. This time around, I also bought a bunch of clothing apart from the above that I am 99% sure you don't want to see ^^

yes, it is an instagram filter, becasuse WHY NOT?

This is already considered tame, okay. 2 pairs of shoes, 3 crop tops, a dress and a skirt. We didn't have much time to shop this trip, so these were only from 2 stores. The shoes were RM120 for 2 (~SGD23 each) from Carlo Rino and everything else other than the skirt was RM19.90 (~SGD7.40) from Kitschen. The skirt was RM30 (~SGD11.15), I think, also from Kitschen. LOOK AT THE BRACKETED NUMBERS. DO THE NUMBERS NOT MAKE YOU HAPPY?? THEY MAKE ME SO HAPPY. SO, SOOOO VERY HAPPY. -insert mildly creepy smiley face here-

Conclusion? Shopping good. Shopping in Malaysia, very goooood.

BUT, there's always a downside, as with anything. I have lots of family in Malaysia, so the relatively weak position of the ringgit doesn't make me all that happy. As someone who (attempted) to study economics (to debatable success), I do understand the negative implications of some of the economic goings-on in the country. Logically, and economically, the decreasing real value of the ringgit >>> decreasing purchasing power >>> aniticipated inflation >>> increased costs of production >>> and increase in prices not matched by an increase in output/labour productivity that is potentially long-term >>> cost-push inflation. And no, I did not consult my econs notes, so if there's an error... OOPS. But still, Ms Chong, I hope you're proud of me. My brain hasn't completely wasted away yet. So.. Yeah... Even as I'm happy about it, I'm concerned, though I'm not sure what good that'll do. At least I'm aware right? And now, so are you, if you weren't already. Yay! Always look on the bright side of life~~ But pay attention to the dark bits too so you don't fall in a hole and die. Yup. LIFE LESSON, RIGHT THERE.

cute foam tiger cat thing to end on a good note!
IT EVEN HAS FISHIES.

Hope everyone's year has been going well so far. If not, go MAKE IT GREAT. Yeah!

Signing off with sunshine, sparkles and sakura petals,
Andrea ^^