（but you probably wont like them）

Dear Ayi，

Should I spend 10，000 RMB on a designer bag？ All my friends have luxury items. They say a woman needs to learn to love herself. I work so hard， I totally deserve it.

Belle Bao

Time to 剁手（du7sh6u， “cut off hands，” stop spending）， you 敗家娘兒們?（b3iji` ni1ngrmen， spendthrift）！ May I suggest you learn to love yourself in a more 經濟的?（j～ngj# de， economical） way？ Like my husband—he never got me anything. Do you think all those soulless hours spent at your 工位?（g4ngw-i， cubicle） can be made up for with one bag？ No way！ Next time you feel 壓力?（y`l#， pressure） at work， do you blow your money on a pair of expensive 高跟鞋?（g`og8nxi9， high heels）？ When your 領導?（l@ngd2o， supervisor） scolds you for mistakes， you think the solution is to buy the newest 化妝品?（hu3zhu`ngp@n， cosmetics）？ Do yourself a favor and make some new friends. Join a book club， or take a cooking lesson. Who knows， you might find a nice guy to date—someone who shows his love by buying you a 10，000 RMB designer bag.

Got questions for our Agony Ayi？ Send them to agonyayi@theworldofchinese.com