I’m a voracious reader. I devour an average of three to five books a month. When I travel, I lug two to three books with me and two to three more on my way back.
When Amazon launched its first Kindle in 2007, I told myself I had to get one so that I could carry tons of books with me at all times.
However, it wasn’t available in Singapore back then. So, I searched the internet for a viable solution; and found one! After doing some creative Amazon-account stunts, I got myself a second-generation Kindle that retailed at US$299. By the time it reached me, it was around S$500.
Despite the cost, I was elated! It’s funny how a thing can become more desirable and its price irrelevant when forbidden.
To help my fellow Singaporeans get their hands on the Kindle, I blogged about my “creative” procedures. Yes, I was a blogger long before there was Facebook. I added an affiliate link on the page so that each time someone clicked on it and bought something from Amazon, I could get a small commission. And yes, I was also an affiliate marketer long before people in this part of the world knew about this way to make an extra income.
Back then, when someone Googled “How to buy Kindle in Singapore”, my page always appeared in the no. 1 position. Consequently, I made enough commissions to cover my Kindle’s cost, and then some.
Did I regret paying $500 for an ebook reader, which could easily get me at least 25 to 30 physical books instead? Hell, no!
Even if I hadn’t blogged about it and made a good profit, my answer would still be the same. Hell, no!
Why?
Because joy is priceless!
And on top of learning creative ways to overcome the restriction, I discovered another thing about human behaviour.
When we want something bad enough, we’ll find ways to get it; if not, we’ll find excuses not to do it.
