I do not read advertisements. I would spend all of my time wanting things.

Franz Kafka

Often I feel bad after watching an ad, reading an article about the next health gadget, after watching Apple keynotes or browsing on Amazon.

I feel like I have a hole in the stomach. I have to fight internal fights. Shall I buy the thing I didn’t even know about a few minutes ago?

Often I loose and buy. Despite knowing better.

Worst of all — it became apparent to me that these holes in my stomach cannot be filled by stuff. They appear again and again and again.

Getting rid of ads

Here is what I do since about a year - and it works quite well. I got rid of many ads:

• Install an AdBlocker plugin for your browser
• Block Amazon and other shopping sites that you tend to browse
• Prevent watching TV ads
• Unsubscribe from all email-newsletters at once

For all other ads: Try to catch yourself watching as them. When you catch yourself, go on with your life.

For example, I look at tobacco ads quite frequently. I have no idea why — I don’t even smoke.

Ads work

They work against your financial freedom. They work against your happiness.

Do not let them punch holes into your stomach and your purse.