In order to part with our hard-earned cash, some of us need to employ a slew of self-negotiating tools from rationalising, bargaining and comparisons. The torment we can put ourselves through just to replace that pair of running shoes and the guilt that follows when we glance at our bank balance falling short of its previous highs can feel like such a grievance.
But occasionally this seemingly short-lived wound can be fruitfully repaired when the item purchased precedes all expectations we had for its value, duration or usefulness.
In our edition of “We Ask Women” this week, we turned to those in the Tilly community to pose the question: What is a purchase you made that turned out to be a great investment?
This could take the form of something that has brought you endless happiness, a lifetime of uses or just simply was the missing piece to the puzzle in your life. Other suggested purchases that accrue real value while some items gain more and more sentiment as the years roll by.
Some of the items mentioned that are implicitly improving our daily lives include:
– SodaStream (never needing to buy soda water again & also environmentally savvy, kudos!)
– Organic quality make-up (inner beauty = outer beauty)
– GHD hair straightener (12 years later and still going strong – I literally want to hear from anyone who’s had one of those puppies die on them. Unheard of!)
– House plants (improved environment and air quality)
– Contraception (duh).
After a few more prompts to think big picture, Tilly’s pool of interviewees started to mention the big-ticket items that have really been game-changers for them:
– A novated car lease (a financial arrangement with your employer – who pays for your car lease and running costs that then comes out of your salary package through a combination of pre & post-tax deductions — we’ll be explaining novated leases and how you might benefit from one down the track in Tilly.)
– Opening a high-interest bank account (Everyone needs to do this!)
– Rent (“choosing to live independently from a young age is such a personal growth period that pays dividends to your maturity, independence and your work ethic”)
– A suggestion for homeowners to Air BnB a spare room (the individual who mentioned it said she hated the whole experience but when tax time came and she could claim some household bills and mortgage repayments as a deduction, she was singing a different tune — we’ll look into this and what you can and can’t safely claim on your tax!)
– Artwork (“I bought a piece at an auction for a 10th of the value it’s at now”).
It really goes to show that value depends on the valuer. You don’t necessarily need to invest in the same things as other people – you need to find out what’s important to your lifestyle and what can provide you direct value. Thinking outside the box is allowed…
