II) Expression:
It refers to a register which compares the amounts spent in every area of daily life (…) between 1964 and 2004 in order to examine the changes in spending habits.
It may be noted that although accommodation remains the main expenditure, spending habits have otherwise changed.
People are now spending more money on car repairs while expenditure on public transport has decreased.
"Communication and mobiles" and education appear as the greatest forms of expense in 2004 as compared to 1964 but expenditure on "vegetables" no longer constitutes a main element.
Finally, two new categories have appeared: spending on video games and air travel.
This change in spending appears to be linked to social developments.
Progress is being made in respect of communication and mobile technology and equally in the domain of leisure(games) in this new society. Education now appears high on the list whereas basic needs such as shoes and vegetables are now secondary.
Over forty years, and change in behaviour can be observed in favour of comfort, leisure and travel … a happy trend.
And :
As a student, I do not have much money. My main expenditure is made on my studies, leisure time and comfort.
Part of my budget is dedicated to my mobile 'phone bill which is around 18 Euros per month. Additionally, for my studies, I spend about 30 Euros a month on books, revision aids and apparatus.
With regard to free time, another part of my budget is set aside for weekend outings to the cinema etc.
Things are not as easy as they seem because life is so expensive, as a student, there is no regular income: that is why I have a part time job to subsidise my needs.
Firstly, "doing" is an important aspect for everyone in the pursuit of happiness, and it represents an essential skill in cultural education and the many other areas of achieving a project.
Secondly, I think that "having" is another essential ingredient. This allows one to have a degree of comfort but also everyday stability of everyday life.
I think that the two can be compatible and complementary in accomplishing a happy medium.
It is important to know the difference between the essential and the superfluous but also between daily pleasures (buying clothes, going swimming or to the cinema, leisure) and to avoid overdoing things. The simple things in life can be enjoyable, such as eating with friends, without having to resort to unnecessary expense.
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