It’s amazing how the mind works. Often without rhyme or reason. Just when you think you’ve created a workable plan to make sense of universal issues like escalating inflation and food insecurity, a dose of reality hits that warns you. OMG, Karen, you’re going about this all wrong.
Despite coming from varying walks of life, most of us feel the pinch. Some more so than others. From high gas prices to exorbitant food increases, we all realize that something has got to give.
I thought I was managing the crisis well. Noticing the lump in my throat every time I went grocery shopping, I came up with a brilliant solution, or so I thought. I told myself to stay clear of grocery stores and watch how much money I’d save.
The plan was to stop mindlessly spending on expensive food brands, to eat the food in our cupboards I had collected during the pandemic, and to stop visiting Sobeys on my way home from work three to four times a week impulsively buying food for our dinners and edible treats of the week.
So now that we had a plan, nothing could go wrong. But Ed and I had a problem. The only food left in our cupboards were ones we didn’t enjoy — like tins of chickpeas, lentils, and kidney beans — healthy foods fit for a pandemic.
So, what did we do?
We dodged spending at the grocery store and avoided eating at home. Instead, we opted to eat out. Often. The fact is that paying with my credit card made paying for the high cost of food less obvious than racking up a grocery bill.
Many might say, how could you not realize that spending at a restaurant would be more expensive? Of course, you could say that, but you’d miss one vital point. Food shopping is a chore while dining out is highly pleasurable. It’s like combining three events into one. Ed and I get to eat, have a date night and socially enjoy ourselves.
All was going well until, after months of following our plan, I noticed one day the high cost of our expenses. Surely, it was costs like property taxes, vet care, and personal development classes, to name just a few.
But nope. When I closely scrutinized my spending, it primarily pointed toward food.
So, what’s a girl who doesn’t fancy cooking got to do in times of rising food costs and a desire to eat?
It’s time to go back to the drawing board and devise a new plan.
Perhaps I should turn shopping into a game. I love puzzles and riddles. So why not concoct a game like visiting the supermarket and buying inexpensive things that start with a designated letter?
I’m down with that.
I’ve realized; my initial plan isn’t working. I can either downsize my needless spending or minimize my eating. It’s my choice.
But until the rising cost of food decreases, there’s no doubt. It’s best to stop living the life of Riley and appreciate eating at home.
Update: Over the past three months, I have been dealing with long Covid resulting in a lack of writing. I primarily published pre-written chapters to my series, “Crime Always Pays,” along with a few Halloween stories. I am feeling dramatically better and hope that next month’s newsletter will include Medium stories.
Here’s the series so far, with more chapters to come.
I missed you all last month and am excited to create this month’s newsletter with a clear head and happy heart.
Until next month, keep well.
Oh yes... I hear you! My cupboard also looks like that. In fact, I went to use a couple of items this week and saw they had expired they'd been sitting there so long!
I think when we feel blah, food becomes a comfort. I loathe thinking about what to cook each night; I have grandiose plans at the beginning of every week and quickly succumb to easy alternatives that aren't always cost effective.
I've missed your writings - and I apologise for not following your crime series; I'm hoping you make it into a book?! Glad you are feeling better and ready to raise the proverbial pen and entertain us with more scribes.