Could there be a correlation between the current state of the economy and our waistlines?
They call times of financial recession lean times for a reason, you know. People tend to eat less because of the high price of food.
I had this happen to me the other day…
I had dropped the kids off at their classes and was on my way to the church to freshen up the decorations for Easter. I stopped at the local Quick Trip gas station since I had missed breakfast. I wanted a hot chocolate and a donut.
Now, I started the year off on a diet, as usual, but food prices have kept me from buying as nutritionally as I want to. Therefore, I have been on a semi diet mostly induced by the high cost of food.
On this particular morning I was feeling generous with myself. As I fixed my hot chocolate at the machine between the different machines of cappuccinos and coffee, I winced at the prices, and got the smallest cup. Then I walked over to the donut case, which I noticed was strangely full for 9:15 in the morning. You would think the quick-breakfast rush would have cleaned them out.
Then I looked at the price. One donut was .89 cents. There was no way I was going to pay that.
Still in a fit for something yummy to eat for breakfast, I walked over to the packaged breakfast treats. Honey buns and cinnamon rolls were $1.35 each. Therefore, I sunk even lower and looked at the Twinkies and other Hostess Delights. They were also $1.35.
Needless to say, I left the store with my hot chocolate in hand and nothing else. It turns out that it was quite satisfying and I did not get hungry again until lunchtime. So I actually saved myself a bunch of calories, as well as the extra money the morning treat would have cost me!
I have been a certified tightwad striving for financial freedom since I became pregnant with my first child — and I decided to find a way to stay home with him full-time. I enjoy sharing my personal experiences in my journey back to financial health and planning for a future — which will include sending 2 kids to college and early retirement.
