Sunday, November 16, 2008

Take Care of the Pennies and the Dollars Will Take Care of Themselves

When my mom first graduated high school, she worked in a lawyer's office. The lawyer was an older Jewish man that always said, "Take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." My mom used to tell me that when I was a child. To this day whenever I walk past a penny on the ground I pick it up and hear that saying. His point was that when we watch and are frugal with our pennies, that the dollars will start to add up all on their own.

Yesterday I was at the grocery store. It was late and I was purchasing meat for our family for the next two weeks. Catfish was on sale and I decided I would treat our family to a Sunday afternoon dinner of Catfish and the works. Any good southern woman worth anything knows that you don't serve catfish without also serving coleslaw. I hate to make coleslaw. I don't know when this aversion to making coleslaw started, but I just don't like to make it. I was picking up the last thing on my list and I was headed to the produce section to pick up cabbage for the slaw making. I had to walk past the deli section of the store, and I knew full well that their coleslaw was good. I NEVER by deli salads, but I was tempted to purchase it this time. I gave in to my temptation and got a container of coleslaw without even looking at the price. This afternoon when I pulled out that container I glanced down and my eyes about popped out of my head when I saw what that small container of coleslaw cost. I am not joking when I say that a little container of slaw cost $5.02. That was more than I spent on one package of fish! While the slaw was good, it wasn't THAT good. I figured I could have made a much larger container of slaw for about $1.50.

I was shocked. I was tired and I gave into convenience. I wonder how many pennies and dollars I have wasted giving into convenience. While I do not do this often, I am sure over the years I would be amazed at how much money has been wasted. I do know that there are times that convenience is worth the high dollar amount paid, but last night I was just being lazy. I just wanted to share my new found discovery and encourage all of you to skip the deli coleslaw and go home and make it fresh!!!

grace and peace,
julie

3 comments:

Amy Ellen said...

I can fully relate to what your saying here. I now and again give in and I am always sorry, both due to cost, and it really is just never as good as what we can make at home. Love the picture of the cabin.
Hugs
Amy

TnFullQuiver said...

Amy Ellen,
You're so right when you say that is just never is as good as you can make at home. I am glad you enjoyed the cabin picture...it is one of my favorites too!
grace and peace,
julie

Anonymous said...

Wow, this post really pricked my conscience. I have been really trying to watch my grocery spending lately so that we can eat better quality foods. But I cannot tell you how many times I have been in a hurry or just didn't feel like taking the time to throw together something like coleslaw or potato salad and so I gave in to the temptation to buy the deli salads instead. All my efforts at saving amount to nothing when I give in to this and spend an enormous amount on a deli salad that I could have made myself for a fourth of the cost. Plus, my family likes my salads better and my homemade variety is much healthier I'm sure.
Great post!