Ambidextr Media

“Deserve ko ‘to!”

We may have heard this phrase from friends, family members, or people on the internet, or we may have said this to ourselves after making a considerable purchase.

We may already have this phrase being said to us in a consoling way or vice versa — us consoling another person for their financial decisions.

But do we really deserve it, or are we simply justifying our poor financial decisions by saying so?

The art of purchasing has always been an amusing thing for us to do. When we do so, it is as if 99.9% of our problems are solved, and our lives instantly become better. We get giddy every time we get what we want when it is in our ability to purchase. We even swore that we would become good people after making such a purchase. We are different people when we get what we want.

The art of purchasing has that effect on us. 

Purchasing something is rewarding, especially if it is a reward for something someone worked hard for. This can be a small treat after a week-long exam and a vacation trip for someone who has worked hard for a long time to earn.

This is a tactic we call a rewarding system.

This technique goes hand-in-hand when a particular person is setting goals for themselves. This person may be a student or someone who already has a career. It is through the reward system that one will become more motivated and disciplined when it comes to reaching their goals.

I can attest that this is effective. Using something that involves spending money as a reward for someone’s hard work is effective.

However, this technique might have been looked at and taken incorrectly by others or, unfortunately, even ourselves sometimes.

This technique became a reason for some people to justify their excessive and poor financial decisions.

Everyone started saying, “Deserve ko ‘to” after making a financial decision on an impulse. People would use this phrase to gaslight themselves as they walk towards the counter and pay for the item they splurged their money for.

“Deserve ko ‘to!” they say with their eyes closed so as not to see the price of their purchase.

Sure, it is alright to treat oneself after having a bad day; it is acceptable to make purchases because it is the week or month of their birthday and to make such financial decisions. However, overspending beyond one’s financial means is not something one deserves.

Sure, occasionally, having a cheat day on our savings is acceptable. Still, no one deserves to have them counting their remaining coins because they must correctly manage their expenses.

Sure, money goes around and eventually comes back, but remember, it only sometimes happens. No one deserves to be drowned with a piling stack of debt.

So before we say, “Deserve ko ‘to!” upon purchasing, it is essential to step back, calm down, and think if something is worth purchasing.

Sure, we deserve to get everything we want, but we don’t deserve to suffer the consequences of having poor financial decisions.

Blog by Cyra Aleeza Benosa