Example No. 1:
In college, I got wind of the annual McDonald's 25 cent hamburger promotion. College was the first time I had the freedom and means to do whatever I wanted. And I wanted two things: hamburgers and to save money. Here was a perfect opportunity to do both! So I ended up buying $5 worth of hamburgers, at 25 cents, that was 20 hamburgers, such a steal! Except I ended up eating hamburgers every day for every meal (including breakfast) for almost two weeks. Lesson learned: do not purchase 20 hamburgers at once.
You'd think that I would be able to generalize such a lesson to other foods, but that has not proven to be the case.
Example No. 2:
When I first moved to New York City, I hadn't yet stocked my fridge and was hungry. I was walking down the street when suddenly I saw a sign from above. Subway was having a deal-- 10 footlongs for $10! Wow! What a deal! I learned the hard way though that Subway sandwiches do not refrigerate well (especially when you get tomatoes and oil and vinegar on them). Being the frugal type, I refused to throw out perfectly edible sandwiches, and it would be two years before I ate another Subway sandwich.
Example No. 3:
A bunch of high school friends headed to Atlantic City during an annual winter-break reunion. The first thing we did was hit the buffet. Of course, I would have to extract all the value out of the buffet by eating more in food than the buffet cost. That's how I would rage against the machine! Ha ha! Got you!
I ended up eating 8 plates of food, and could not move for more than 2 hours. Literally-- could not move. My dear high school friends, to show their care and concern, left me at the buffet to go gamble. Buffet: 1, Me: 0
I'd like to think I learn from my mistakes and become a better person as a result. However, with food, I clearly have a problem.
Latest Example:
Cereal was on sale at the Super Target. Family pack of Life cereal with two freshness-sealed bags for only $3.99! What a deal! Except now I have to eat two boxes of Life cereal. When will I learn not to buy food in bulk?
5 comments:
i have the same problem. except i don't try to save money, i just like to eat (obviously).
i hope you don't have a costco membership ...
nothing worse than trying to go through a 3 pound bag of trail mix.
When a bulk bargain pops up, ask yourself, is it cheaper to buy the bulk item, put on weight/get unhealthy, and pay for gym membership to lose it/higher heart attack risk, OR to just buy the right-sized portion and not gain weight and stay healthy? After all that thinking, I usually get distracted and walk away...
ditto eddy. hope you don't have costco membership.
My worst years were when I used to use your sam's club membership, eddy.
ann: i like your rationale. i will have to try that next time.
i actually do have a costco membership, though i'm much better about exercising restraint these days, at least in terms of buying stuff. the free samples on the other hand ... i am completely powerless.
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