Top 10: What do you regret spending your red packet money on?
- From exercise books to a pair of new shoes, these are the things that our readers regret buying with their lai see
- Send in your answer to next week’s question: Which food is the best to replace chocolate for Valentine’s Day?
What purchase made your piggy bank go “Oof?” Photo: ShutterstockThis week’s question: Which food is the best to replace chocolate for Valentine’s Day?
To take part, drop us a line via this form or email us at [email protected] by 11.59pm on February 9. Tell us your name, age and school.
Last week, we asked our readers, “What do you regret spending your red packet money on?” Here’s what they had to say.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever given or received?
Almost all teenagers get red packets during Lunar New Year, but I bet not many would spend their money on exercise books like I did.
Believing practice makes perfect, I bought a lot of chemistry exercise books two years ago to prepare for the upcoming public exam.
You know what? I dropped the subject last year and all the books are now probably in a landfill.
Thinking about it simply breaks my heart.
Michelle Pang, 17, STFA Leung Kau Kui College
Last year, I was thinking of buying a nice present for my cousin’s birthday, which fell just after the Lunar New Year holiday. But then I realised I had spent all my lai see on food.
I ended up putting on a lot of weight while my cousin was disappointed that I didn’t get her a present.
Therefore, this year, I have set myself a challenge – to spend my lai see wisely!
Alyssa Yuen Tsin-laam, 12, Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section)
Last year, I used my red packet money to buy a mystery toy box. The packaging does not allow buyers to see what is inside. Most of the toys are dolls from animation, film or television shows.
When I opened the box, I saw that the toy doll wasn’t my favourite one. However, I could not exchange it or get a refund.
I very much regretted my decision; I even thought of throwing it in the rubbish bin.
Jessie Li, 17, Christian Alliance SC Chan Memorial College
What’s the worst buy one, get one deal ever?
When I was seven years old, I got a HK$100 lai see from my mum’s friend. The next day, my dad took me to Wonderland and I bought a huge box decorated with vibrant colours. But when I opened it, I immediately burst into tears – what I thought would be a cuddly, stuffed animal turned out to be quite a frightening one.
My mum asked me to think twice before buying something.
Cherry Chan Cheuk-yiu, 12, St Mary’s Canossian College
Last year, I spent some of my lai see to buy a birthday present for my friend. She loves building blocks so I thought a Lego set worth HK$450 would be an ideal gift. I also gave her a handmade birthday card.
She said she liked the birthday card more. I very much regretted buying the expensive gift. I could have used the money for more meaningful purposes; for example, I could have given it to a local charity.
Mavis Loh Chi-ching, 12, Christian Alliance SC Chan Memorial College
I regret giving some of my lai see to my friend. She said she did not have money to buy her parents a birthday gift so she borrowed HK$200 from me.
She promised to repay me but I have yet to get my money back. She keeps giving me all kinds of excuses when I ask for the money.
Zelda Hsu Ching-hei, 13, Ho Yu College and Primary School (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen)
Red packets are one of the things that excite teenagers and children alike, but we may easily misuse the money.
This happened to me last Lunar New Year when I bought a newly released perfume from a well-known brand after seeing an advertisement on Google.
One week later, I saw the same perfume for half the price in a shopping centre.
Isaac Fok, 16, Law Ting Pong Secondary School
What do teenagers do better than adults?
I regret spending my lai see on a pair of AirPods last year. I bought the product because all my friends recommended it.
However, I found that it wasn’t as convenient as I thought. AirPods are small and we could easily lose them.
I saw a passenger’s AirPods fall through the gap between the train and the platform.
I have learned that we should think twice before we buy something and that people’s comments aren’t everything.
Wen Nga-yi, 13, Christian Alliance SC Chan Memorial College
I wanted to make a set of custom hoodies in different colours for me and my friends.
There were supposed to be words of blessing on the hoodie, but they failed to print.
The hoodies were horrible and I did not dare to give them to my friends.
Katherine Chow Tsz-lo, 17, STFA Leung Kau Kui College
I bought a pair of expensive shoes as a reward for myself after an exam, but I tore them right after! The shoes could not be repaired so I had to throw them away.
Freeby Lee Pui-ting, 14, CNEC Christian College