In these challenging economic times, it is interesting to observe how we have come to appreciate all of the things we used to take for granted. I noticed the other day that I had actually used up all of the free shampoo/conditioner samples from Total Beauty (I used to have loads and loads of those things) and there are no sachets of Heinz ketchup left in our kitchen. I now save any left over paper napkins we get from fast food and I’m learning to eat the food we buy at the grocery store as opposed to leaving the veggies to rot in the fridge.
I’m more careful with how much detergent I put in the dishwasher and how much shampoo I use. When someone offers leftovers for us to take home from a dinner party, I say yes. I’ve even looked through those coupon mailers to see if there’s anything we can use.
Some people have been like this for years. I’m just starting to really appreciate these lessons from our reduced income.
Ok let’s pause for a moment. This is going to sound really bad, but is this getting on anyone else’s nerves? As much as I’m glad to be more mindful of my habits as a consumer, I’m also missing the relaxed shoulders approach to living. You know what I mean? I’m not talking about spending lots of money, I’m talking about knowing you have the money to cover something you want to do right there and then – whether you choose to do it or not. I’m aware this is not a politically correct thing to be talking about right now but I’m taking a few minutes to make my list of things I miss doing with money:
Concerts – yep, these are gone. I think the last club one was the English Beat in 2007 (and that was a good one!) and the last bigger one was Paul Weller in 2005.
Fancy shampoo – I know, I know… they probably ARE all made from the same ingredients. But I miss those big bottles of Biolage and all those free samples.
Weekends in San Francisco – even a daytrip to SF is pretty hard to do once you factor in gas, museum admission, lunch and/or dinner, tolls, wine, etc…
Clothes – I’m no fashionista, but I’d really like to replace some of my (now a bit ratty) clothes.
Restaurants – we still eat out occasionally, but it’s not at The Waterboy… it’s at Panera.
Clean car – this shows off a bit of my laziness, but I haven’t had a clean car in months. I miss taking it to the hand wash place where they do the inside as well.
Contributing to my retirement – I do, I miss this.
Staying in nice hotels – I now go where Priceline tells me. But I dream of returning to fave hotels like Number Sixteen in London.
Okay now that I’ve written these sentiments down, I can look at this list and think – well, maybe life isn’t so awful without these things. I’m very grateful for what we DO have and we are having fun regardless. And, honestly, I would never trade working from home for any or all of the things on this list. Thanks for letting me whine for a moment.
