85: Marcus Aurelius Saved Me From Getting Broke (Archive)

In the current era, corporations invest millions in neuromarketing, employing various strategies to entice consumers and boost spending. These marketing tactics, often considered cunning, are crafted to appeal to individuals across diverse demographics.

Despite my persistent efforts to shield myself from the influence of neuromarketing, I found it challenging to resist these strategies. Instances abound where a simple visit to an online marketplace for a specific item resulted in the purchase of numerous unnecessary products.

A few months ago, while delving into "Meditations by Marcus Aurelius," a profound quote from the book revolutionized my approach to spending, transforming me into a more mindful consumer and preventing financial distress.

In addition to its various advantages, "Meditations" imparts timeless insights. Here, I'll illuminate key takeaways and elucidate how I applied its teachings to curb my inadvertent spending.

1. "Meditations" remains relevant, addressing enduring human challenges such as adversity, emotional management, and life's purpose.

2. Beyond theoretical philosophy, the book provides practical advice on self-control, gratitude, and resilience, offering actionable guidance for everyday situations.

3. Reading "Meditations" unveils the mindset of a powerful leader, offering valuable insights into decision-making, criticism handling, and maintaining inner peace amid turmoil.

4. Aurelius's thoughts, rooted in the 100s AD, offer a unique perspective on our contemporary, technology-driven lives, providing ancient wisdom in a simpler era.

5. Serving as a gateway to Stoic principles, "Meditations" introduces core concepts like virtue and reason in an easily digestible format, fostering a foundational understanding of Stoicism.

1. Affix a sticky note on your wallet and bank cards, posing the question "Is it essential?" to prompt mindful spending considerations before each purchase.

2. Avoid using auto-fill for payment details on shopping websites to introduce an additional layer of friction, encouraging a second thought on potential purchases.

3. Establish a budget with a weekly spending limit, mentally embracing it as your sole available funds for the week to prevent exceeding the set limit.

[Book] Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

If you seek tranquility, do less. Or (more accurately) do what’s essential. Do less, better. Because most of what we do or say is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more tranquility. But to eliminate the necessary actions, we need to eliminate unnecessary assumptions as well.  — Marcus Aurelius

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