7 of world's cheapest places you need to visit for the most incredible shopping experience

Do you often end up feeling guilty after splurging on your favourite brand of clothes? Does - what you thought would bring you all the happiness of the world - actually end up rocketing your credit card bills? Are those credit card bills now giving you sleepless nights? If your answer to all these questions is yes, then you really need to unwind. And while at it, maybe shop a little, because only then will life will come a full circle, won't it?

So go on, unleash the shopper in you and read on..

Spain: Spain provides its tourists a plethora of shopping options. With a perfect blend of flea markets like El Rastro along with flagship stores of fashion chains like Zara and Mango, the city of Barcelona is a shoppers' paradise where you can bargain and shop away to glory.

Bangkok: Thailand's largest city Bangkok is nothing short of a dream come true for people who seek solace in shopping bags overflowing with everything from clothing, handicrafts to electronic gadgets. The key is to go for the local stuff and never forget to bargain.

Vietnam: Often known as the shopping capital of Vietnam, Hoi An is a heaven for all those on a shoestring budget. Vietnam helps you discover the hidden bargaining skills you never knew you had and in the process buy everything from Silk to Cashmere at one-third of the original price.

Hong Kong: Considered to be one of Asia's best shopping destination, Hong Kong is a haggler's paradise. The key here is to never accept the first price and bargain till the shopkeeper lets you. Hong Kong plays host to a string of factory outlets which by their virtue existence sell goods at extremely cheap rates. The Hong Kong streets sell everything from clothes, electronic gadgets to antiques. Places like Cat street and Cheung Sha Wan Road are mainly where people throng for curbing their shopping streak.

Mexico: Though not as brilliant and cheap as its Thai counterpart, Mexico is a hub for designer wear available at wholesale prices. Apart from the designer wear, sticking to the local goods is a good option too.

Bali: The beautiful Bali has for years been a favourite destination for budget shopping. Everything from clothes, shoes, furniture, jewelry, housewares, to works of art, is available at inexpensive prices. With shopping hubs like Legian and Kuta, Bali is soon catching up in the race for being one of the most sought after shopping destinations of the world.

Florence: It might be tough to believe but if planned properly, shopping in Florence can be extremely affordable. Streets like Via del Corso, Via Borgo San Lorenzo, Piazza del Duomo will let you shop without giving you sleepless nights. Often referred to as the handbag capital of Europe, Florence provides its shoppers a variety of items to choose from.

WTF AM I WORKING FOR? – CONS OF CORPORATE LIFE

It’s an hour back I realized that writing, specifically blogging, intrigues me. Had never thought this can be such fun. Well what have I decided to write! It’s not philosophical, or is it?

I have been amongst the top employees wherever I have worked. I am very ambitious. I aspire to grow very fast, get quick promotions, hefty hikes and so on. I got great appreciations in short snap of time.

Strangely! I have suddenly turned 30 from 23 in this short span.

• I had told a very close friend yesterday – “In a meeting, I will call you back tomorrow buddy”. Ghosshhhh…  I realized that yesterday was like 3 months ago.

• I committed to my parents I will take them to Shirdi this October… well few Octobers have passed since then.

• I missed my best friend’s wedding – I didn’t get leaves. But I had promised him I will meet soon. He called up few days back to check which schools are good. Oh yeah, he has a child 3 years old now. We are yet to meet.

Good News! I have bought myself a 3 BHK house – with some 15 years of EMI pending. I already had a 2 BHK. Wait! Did you notice I managed to add one complete room to my kitty? What if it cost me few friends and few years of fun! My astrologer tells me I have a long life…

Like every single year, I have set my objectives for this year. I will:

• deliver MY projects on time
• help MY customers
• drive initiatives to help MY company grow

HANG ON! Are these my objectives! Really?  Then why does the word “MY” here doesn’t feel mine? In reality, these are of somebody else – somebody who pays me. So what if I am being paid for this – reality remains these are somebody else’s objectives that I have pledged to fulfil.

My, Real me, objectives would be:

• I would work 8 hours in a day, 5 days a week, fetch best of me that you can

• Take my family to a trip – once or twice a year

• Call up my friends – at least one daily. I am sure there would be plenty – from school, college, colony, coaching classes, hostel, sutta buddies….. many more.

Btw if you haven’t realized,  the “I” here is not me. It’s “You”, rather most of “Us”, lost in the vicious circle called Corporate Life. Fancy.. huhh!!

Stop being puppets in the hands of juggler called Career. It’s a thief that is here to steal all our Fun, Friends and Life. Don’t get tempted by the bribe it pays called Money. It’s just not worth it!!

Realize your passion and live to fulfil it. Use job and money just as a stepping stone, to your destination called Life.