Times Are Tough

People are making all kinds of sacrifices. From flying coach instead of first class, to driving instead of flying, to holing up at home instead of traveling.

It makes you depressed. Not at first - at first it's fun, it's a challenge, you're impressed with how much you can save when you put a little effort into it. But then reality sets in. The reality is that cutting coupons and shopping sales helped you to avoid blowing your food budget rather than saving $40 to put towards a new pair of shoes.

Then after that another feeling creeps in. The feeling that it's been a while, the challenge was fun, interesting, but now you're ready to treat yourself. Partially from depriving yourself for so long, and partially as a reward for all the work you've done. That's when the depression slams into you. This hasn't been a game, there is no reward and the end is not in sight. Well, that blows.

I mean sure, it's great to not be homeless. Those people smell. People give them dirty looks, and tourists take pictures of them. But still.

So when you stumble across a way to eat bacon on the cheap, your heart soars. And when you think about how close you live to Whole Foods, you notice a spring in your step, and that you're smiling at the homeless people. Though you won't be giving away any of your bacon!