200

Recently I took out £200 in cash, to blow on casual spending, as a celebration of my moneyseeking. Here's what I discovered. I felt like King Leonidas of Sparta, in the movie "300", but instead I sent out my golden army of 200, into the world.

"It's been many years since the wolf of poverty, and the winter cold. And now, as then, it is not fear that grips me, only restlessness. A heightened sense of things. The seaborn breeze, coolly, kissing the sweat at my chest and neck. Gulls cawing, complaining, even as they feast on the thousands of floating consumers. The steady breathing of the 200 at my back, ready to die for me without a moment's pause. Everyone of them ready, to die".

I thought about getting a new mobile phone. I found a reasonable one for £15, then I was tempted by a better one for £30, then saw that there were even better phones for £100. Then I thought why not get an Apple iPhone (£1600 for an 18 month contract!). Whatever phone I chose, I was never satisfied and only wanted something bigger, better, and more expensive. Do I even need a new phone? Of course not, my old one works just fine. I also have a separate mp3 player and camera, which work better than any phone. My millionaire mentor Mr Piper has a large crack running down the glass of his phone, he is not tempted to blow money on gadgetry. In the end I did not buy a phone as the one I wanted would have cleaned out my 200.

I purchased lots of exotic foods and snacks, just for the hell of it. I went to the pub, and socialised with my indebted friends.

Whenever I saw something in a shop which I wanted, I would just buy it, with little regard to how much it might cost elsewhere. I thought to myself, why should I run around searching for bargains, like a rat, when I can afford to buy this item right here, right now. Afterwards I just felt stupid, as obviously by purchasing wisely, you can buy more things.

It was actually a nauseating feeling knowing that my 200 was being murdered by my own recklessness, and not knowing when the money was going to run out. Whenever I spent, I just wanted to spend more. It is apparent that I will never be able to afford everything that I want to have. If I buy one very expensive item, then all of my money is gone. I currently have £96 left.

Unrestrained consumerism is a death trap for any moneyseeker. I sent my golden army battalion of 200 into the world without direction, and each soldier fell swiftly, and without challenge. This money could have been invested, it could have purchased financial education, it could have gone towards a deposit on a business deal, but instead I feel I just flushed it down the drain.

" For my 200, there will be glory in your sacrifice. I will not erase the memory of your passing from the histories. Every piece of sales parchment shall be remembered. Every store salesperson and every shopkeeper shall have their eyes put out and their tongues cut from their mouths. Uttering the advocacy of reckless spending will be punishable by death. The world will know you existed".

I learned a lot more about spending from my brave 200. I am just as uncontrolled at my spending as the average person, if I don't have a spending plan. With a plan, my money can stretch much further and buy much more stuff. "I give thanks, to the brave 200! To victory!"

So, in conclusion, "This is not Sparta............this is Moneyseeker3000!"