If you’re a Millennial, you’ve probably been shamed for your spending habits. “$15 on avocado toast? No wonder you can’t afford a house!”, or “If you stopped drinking latte’s from your local coffee shop and invested that $6 a day instead, you could be well on your way to a more financially stable life”. Is there some truth to this? Sure. I’ve done the math on my coffees. If I spent $6/day x 352 days a year, that’s an extra $2112 I could save annually. But I would be tired. And much less productive. And would miss out on the small pleasure of walking down the street every morning to say hi to my favourite barista and bask in the warmth and deliciousness of my macadamia nut latte.
Millennials don’t lead the same life as their parents did. Financial advice from their generation doesn’t apply quite as easily to us. So while I don’t encourage you to buy every single cable knit sweater you touch and instantly fall in love with, I think we need to cut ourselves a little bit of slack when it comes to that “bad Millennial, bad!” voice in our heads.
Personally, I’ll sometimes have days where that brief conversation with the local barista is the only human contact I’ll have. I know that sounds horrible, but that’s the reality of running a business where I am the CEO, CFO, COO, CMO, etc., etc., etc. Deadlines need to be met regardless of whether you feel like a gremlin locked in the dark cave of your loft or not. Some days I’m plugged in from 8am right through until midnight. Do I take breaks in between? Yes, of course. Sometimes it’s to go meet a friend for a quick bite. When I’m working that hard, I absolutely feel that I deserve to treat myself to good food and good company. In fact, I need it to survive. In this day and age where our phones are never more than an arms length away and we’re always on call, a brief respite from the hustle and bustle while connecting with a friend over your favourite dish can be an incredible act of self-care!
That’s why I love the new HSBC +Rewards Mastercard. With 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and entertainment purchases, I feel like I’m being rewarded for both working and playing hard. Paying your restaurant bill can be fun now, knowing that you’re gaining double the points. Or that concert you’ve been wanting to go to forever? Now you can buy that ticket a little more guilt free, knowing that you’re racking up points that can be spent your way – whether it’s travel, gift cards or financial rewards. With an annual fee of only $25, signing up for the card won’t break the bank. And the best part? The HSBC +Rewards Mastercard has one of the lowest interest rates in Canada. We’re talking only 11.9%. How great is that?! Apply by December 16, 2019 and receive a full annual fee rebate for the Primary Cardholder for the first year PLUS earn a Sign Up Bonus of 5,000 Points to get you started!
The reality of being a Millennial is that we work hard and play hard. We value spending money on experiences that will enrich our lives, and help keep us sane in this crazy busy world that we live in. Luckily HSBC understands that, and has got our backs. I’m excited to put my card to good use, and start getting rewarded for spending money on the things that I love. Want to join me? Get your card at hsbc.ca/plusrewards and then go call up a friend and treat yourself to a night out on the town 🙂
