Years of poor financial decisions and a trans-Atlantic move or two have left me in a position where I have to watch where every penny goes.
I’m not the very most frugal shopper, but I’m getting there. I weigh up the cost of everything against its necessity and I try not to spend frivolously at all. We simply don’t have any money for discretionary spending so even ‘treats’ like chips and store-bought cookies are only bought on special occasions when I feel like splashing out.
Bottled water is 0.9 cents per ounce but filtered water out of the fridge filter is MUCH cheaper than that… So I drink four new bottles of water and then refill those bottles every day for a month. 0.9 cents per ounce is WAY too expensive!
Orange juice is really out of my price range but is pretty much the only other thing I like to drink. Occasionally my wife convinces me that I don’t eat enough fruit so I buy some high-pulp OJ and drink a small glass a day.
As for chips… I LOVE chips but a family size bag is between $2.50 and $3. I’ll buy a bag once a month or so but I’ll make it last at least a week.
I know the value of the food I eat and do my best not to overeat the expensive stuff.
We are blessed to have various different people eat at our house most days and often we have people staying with us. It never ceases to amaze me the difference in my values and some of theirs.
If I have some OJ, I get a six-ounce glass and don’t fill it all the way because I know that even buying the cheapest juice I can find, six ounces is almost twenty cents. Some of our visitors will see OJ in the fridge and grab a sixteen ounce glass and fill it to the top without even thinking about it.
I guess if they did stop to think about it, they’d work out that sixteen ounces is about fifty cents – which they probably wouldn’t think is bad since they’ll happily buy a large soda from McDonald’s or a coffee from Starbucks without even thinking about the cost.
Then there’s the chips, which I carefully ration and yet my guests will happily eat half a family-sized bag of in one sitting.
I sit and wonder if they have any idea that they just ate $1.25 worth of chips? The answer is probably that they get through a bag or so a day at home and don’t think anything of it so why would they think anything of it in my house?
Let me just say that my biggest fault is my generosity and while I can’t justify buying more than one bag of chips a month for myself I really have no problem with buying a bag a day for my guests and I am in no way bitter that they eat my food. I’d tell them no if it bothered me and I consider it a joy to be able to serve them in that way.
What it shows me though is that we all place different values on things. While I think a bag of chips and a glass of OJ is a treat to be kept for the most special of occasions, many people (even those less well off than me) think that chips and OJ are basic, everyday items.
While I cannot justify the cost of cable or dish TV so we have no TV signal in our house, many people think that TV with added sports and movie channels is essential.
We have a difference of values – a difference of opinion of what value to place on things.
There are, for sure, many things which I barely consider the cost of or think are essential which you would happily live without. It works both ways around.
What I’m trying to learn from all of this is to respect people’s different values. It’s too easy to look down my nose at someone because they do or don’t place high value on a certain thing. Way too often I judge people just based on what I perceive to be their values.
I need to remember more often that the whole point of the Church, indeed, of the human race, is that we are all different and unique. We’re not all cookie-cutter robots, we’re individuals fearfully and wonderfully made by the Master.
If everyone had exactly the same values as me, life would be boring. So I praise God when someone eats the whole bag of chips or drinks the OJ like it’s going out of fashion because they’re just being the special and amazing people that God made them to be – and he loves them ferociously
…. and so should I!
Very interesting post. I understand the cost of pretty much everything and we have to weigh out what we buy as well. I also see the value in others. One thing I do worry about with others is when they ignore the plight of the poor and they are in a position to help. I tend to think that people in America as so well off and only want more so they ignore the truly poor. That is something that Jesus had a good bit to say about and it wasn't good.
You're right.. Jesus had a lot to say about the poor… in fact, I'm making next week child sponsorship week for that very reason!
yes, indeed we are all so very unique. we can teach our children that it is something to cherish and share.
That's one of the hardest things to do in today's society – teach our kids that it's OK for people to be 'different'.
Thanks for coming by and commenting. I very much appreciate you!
I'm the world's worst at not thinking about what something costs. My husband is the exact opposite. He'll ask me how much I paid for a can of green beans and I have no clue. I think you're right. Part of community is caring about how your values or even preferences affect others. And don't worry, if I visit I won't drink your orange juice. Not a fan.
I sometimes get in that frame of mind where I just don't care about the cost – and that's very dangerous. I'm glad you have a husband who can temper your spending somewhat!
WHEN you visit, I'll get whatever juice/soda/nastyness it is that you want to drink!
You are very generous, indeed.
I would hide the chips. Not the juice. Vitamin C may not be a luxury for them, but I'd hide the freakin' chips….
I'd like to be able to think like that, Helen, but I just can't!
Since I've been married, my wife has taught me a simple concept:
If you can't share, you can't have.
We teach it to our kids with the toys they get and we put it into our own lives even with special treats that we get for ourselves!
Sigh. You are right. Actually, I only buy chips when I am expecting company. I just don't like the idea of people being careless about your generosity. You know what I mean?
I do know what you mean and that’s a question I ask myself sometimes. Is this just a difference in values or are they just being greedy with someone else’s stuff.
In the end, it comes down to a difference in values though either way! 🙂
My hubby wanted me to buy chips when I went grocery shopping this week. Then he started questioning me on how much they cost… I guess they lost some of their 'goodness' when looked at 'monetarily'. LOL
To have these kind of values on the cost of things, and show this kind of hospitality … you're absolutely wonderful! We need more Americans like you! ;D
I'm not that great… there are people who are much better at this stuff than me!
For what it's worth I wouldn't recommend reusing water bottles over and over. California really needs to put some dollar stores in your neighborhood. I pay 3 something for OJ but there's stores that sell the same size for $1. By the way, are you indirectly alluding to your parents in this post. Are they being too frugal with your bag of chips lol. Just think of it in a positive light…you wont get fat from eating too much cause you cant afford food!
You are probably the most generous person I "know". No way, could I be broke and invite guests over to stay. That's crazy talk in my world.
Yeah, I don't like to reuse them over and over but… oh well!
We have dollar stores but none of them have anything like juice aqctually cheaper per ounce than Walmart 🙁
I'm really not that generous, I just like to share! 🙂
I'm very frugal when I buy. I schedule what I'm going to use for the week and then buy that, and only that. Mostly generics. Few name brands. But yet, I'm from a society that feeds those whom they love. While we may be having hot dogs for supper, if my neighbor gets sick or a church member dies, I'm going all out to make them a special meal. I know exactly what you're talking about. I don't mind going without. But I get joy out of blessing others. :o)
I'm totally with you, Sarah!
I've been reading Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper, and he's really been challenging me about some of the things I spend my money on. One of the questions he asked was "If people saw your budget, would they see Christ as the all-satisfying passion of your life?"
Yeah…
Don't waste your life is one of my favorite books!
There are so many challenging questions like that in it!