We’ve all been there. You open your bank app, squint at your balance, and immediately break out in a cold sweat. It’s a terrifying sight—like watching the plot of a horror movie unfold in real time. Yet somehow, against all logic, you’re standing in line at that fancy coffee shop, ready to spend the last ₦2,000 in your account on a caramel latte with extra whipped cream.
Why do we do this? Why do we convince ourselves that buying expensive little luxuries is totally justified, even when we’re on the verge of financial ruin? Let’s unpack this universal struggle and explore the wild mental gymnastics we perform to make ourselves feel better about it.
“I Deserve This” – The Self-Care Argument
This is the classic excuse. Sure, you have ₦500 left until payday, but you’ve had a tough week. You woke up early (twice!), responded to emails you’d been ignoring, and didn’t completely lose your mind in traffic. That’s hard work! And hard work deserves to be rewarded, right?
Enter: the ₦8,000 lunch you definitely can’t afford but will absolutely order because you deserve it.
“It’s Not That Expensive” – The Mental Math Trick
One of the most common ways we justify unnecessary purchases is by breaking them down into tiny, meaningless amounts. A ₦10,000 skincare product? That’s basically just ₦300 per day if you think about it. A ₦20,000 dress? You’ll wear it at least 10 times, so technically, it’s only ₦2,000 per wear.
By the time you’re done with this mental math, you’ve convinced yourself that you’re practically saving money by buying expensive things. Genius, right?
“At Least I’m Not Spending It on Worse Things” – The Comparison Game
When all else fails, we start comparing our spending habits to those of other people. Sure, you’re buying overpriced coffee every morning, but at least you’re not blowing all your money on designer handbags or spontaneous weekend trips to Dubai (because who can afford that anyway?).
This logic somehow makes you feel better about the fact that you’re broke and still spending like a Kardashian on payday.
“It’s an Investment” – The Ultimate Justification
Somehow, every small luxury we buy magically turns into an “investment” in our minds. A fancy planner? It’ll make you more productive. Expensive workout gear? You’ll definitely start exercising more. A premium Spotify subscription? It’s good for your mental health.
By framing these purchases as investments in our future selves, we manage to silence that little voice in our head saying, “You really shouldn’t be buying this right now.”
The Inevitable Reality Check
Of course, reality always catches up eventually. After a few days of splurging on small luxuries, you suddenly realize that your account balance has hit rock bottom. You’re broke, hungry, and wondering why you thought it was a good idea to buy artisanal candles instead of actual groceries.
But hey, at least your skin is glowing, your coffee tasted amazing, and you’ve got a cute new outfit for all the imaginary brunch dates you won’t be able to afford.
At the end of the day, life is short, and sometimes, small luxuries are what keep us going. So, go ahead—buy the coffee, splurge on the fancy skincare, and treat yourself to that overpriced slice of cake. Just maybe keep an eye on your bank balance while you’re at it.
Because being broke is temporary, but the joy of that caramel latte? Priceless.
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