Puisa Kotha Hunibo? When did spending more become fashionable?

There was a time when buying only what you needed was considered sensible. Today, spending money has become a lifestyle. The latest phone, trendy sneakers, expensive coffee, luxury vacations, and online shopping hauls are no longer just purchases. They are status symbols. Nowadays, being a spendthrift is fashionable.

The biggest reason is marketing. Companies no longer sell products; they sell emotions. A watch is sold as confidence. A car is sold as a success. A smartphone is sold as your identity. Advertisements rarely talk about features anymore. Instead, they make us believe that buying something will make us happier, smarter, or more successful.

Social media has made this even more powerful. Every scroll shows influencers travelling abroad, unboxing gadgets, or wearing branded clothes. What we often do not see are the EMIs, credit card bills, or sponsored partnerships behind those posts. Yet, many people feel they are falling behind if they do not keep up. In India, easy access to credit has added fuel to the fire. “No cost EMI”, “Buy Now, Pay Later”, cashback offers, and instant loans make expensive purchases seem affordable. Instead of asking, “Can I afford this?”, people ask, “Can I pay the monthly instalment?” That small change in thinking can lead to years of unnecessary debt.

Ironically, saving money is rarely celebrated. Very few people post about building an emergency fund or investing through SIPs every month. But these financial habits create real wealth over time. Flashy spending may earn attention today, but disciplined saving earns financial freedom tomorrow.

This does not mean we should never enjoy our money. Spending on experiences, hobbies, or things that genuinely improve our lives is important. The problem begins when we spend only to impress others or to match what we see online. Perhaps the greatest marketing strategy of all time was convincing people that buying more is the path to happiness. The truth is much simpler. True wealth is about how secure you are when life throws unexpected challenges your way.

The original published article can be found at: When did spending more become fashionable?