2023-618： When the Shopping Fever Fizzles Out

As my collection of desired electronics, necessities, and non-essential items continues to grow, my interest in purchasing during China's e-commerce festivals has dwindled. Moreover, the discounts offered during these holiday sales fail to truly captivate me, as I have become wary of their gimmicks.

This year's 618 event didn't yield many noteworthy purchases directly related to the festivities. However, I did manage to acquire a few items that left me quite satisfied:

During the Steam summer sale, I couldn't resist buying Riders Republic, an exhilarating bicycle game. Now, whether I actually find the time to play it is another matter altogether. Nevertheless, making the purchase means I can finally redirect my attention from pondering whether to buy the game and instead focus on other things. It provides a sense of relief, knowing that I won't have to constantly think about spending money on Steam for quite some time.

I also indulged myself by buying two Xbox controllers. As an avid gamer, having extra controllers on hand always comes in handy when friends come over for gaming sessions or for multiplayer adventures.

Seeking a deal that would outshine the traditional shopping frenzy, I took advantage of Alibaba Cloud's 318 promotion. I opted for a three-year subscription to their 8TB super membership. This decision proved much more cost-effective compared to splurging on SSDs or toying with NAS setups.

In a stroke of luck, I stumbled upon a commuting bicycle on Xianyu, a popular online marketplace in China. With a price tag of just under ¥300, it was a steal considering its original price of over ¥600. This nifty purchase has shaved off a good 10 minutes from my daily commute to the subway station.

While this year's 618 may not have been as exhilarating as anticipated, I'm content with the handful of purchases that managed to strike a chord with me. Sometimes, it's the unexpected finds that truly bring joy, regardless of whether they are directly linked to the shopping extravaganza. So, until the next wave of irresistible deals arrives, I shall patiently await new opportunities for satisfying acquisitions.