Going to Tokyo reminded me of how nice things can get. I went to a department store without realizing how upscale it was, it was extremely upscale. I was quite underdressed. I used to be more into men's fashion, so I recognized almost all of the incredibly brands and labels, really top of the line stuff. Also, just traveling again and researching for future trips, I saw how nice things can get, in terms of hotels and first class flights and such. I suppose in my everyday life, I don't see the upgrades all that much, I just buy pretty normal groceries, mostly produce, and can get whatever. But going to a big city, with some really wealthy people in it, reminded me of how good it can get.

Must be nice, perhaps. I quite like seeing big shots in movies, like the new James Bond movies where he has nice things. But ultimately, luxuries are mostly about image. I'll indulge in the occasional luxury that has a practical value, but for me, wanting to get fancy stuff is just part of the fantasy of buying your way to impressing others by your mere presence. I suppose I've accepted that's not really a game I'm interested in playing, and that decision will probably save me a lot of money. I'll just be the one who gets impressed.

Sometimes you'll see this idea that "X is the annual income beyond which increased income doesn't really correlate with happiness." I'm quite fortunate to be at that amount of money. I think I am quite tight with my spending. One thing I've realized is that seeing expensive things makes me want to make more money, but then I realize that since I'm a bit frugal, it's not doubling my income that would make me more willing to buy an expensive but unnecessary thing, I would have to increase my income several times to be willing to. So I've kind of conceded that it's not going to happen, and I don't feel that much pressure to make more.

So I'm at this point, where I'm basically happy with how much I make. Well, that's nice, that this is about as good as it gets, but it's also like, "Huh, so this is as good as it gets?" I suppose being more open to traveling and spending on goods that can improve my life in the wake of the trip will encourage me to live a little better, at least. And make the most of the money I earn to live.