The Paradox of Prosperity: Why We Struggle to Spend Our Own Money
Subramani highlights a peculiar problem faced by many, especially those from generations that experienced scarcity: the fear of spending money , even when financially abundant. This deeply ingrained habit, shaped by past hardships and a lifelong emphasis on saving, can lead to psychological anxieties like chromatophobia (fear of spending money) and money dysmorphia (feeling of not having enough money, despite having it). The Roots of Reluctance to Spend The struggle to spend stems from a combination of factors: Scarcity Mindset: Growing up in times of widespread shortages (e.g., rationing, queues for essentials) imprinted a deep-seated fear of lack. This often manifested in older generations making every decision based on cost, even for necessities like medical treatment or eating out. Pleasure of Accumulation: The childhood habit of saving in a piggy bank evolves into an almost addictive pleasure of watching wealth grow. The "why" of money – its purpose for living – get...