Just realized my friend's 'fancy' dinner was cheaper than my usual takeout

I was at my buddy Mike's place last night and he made this really good pasta with sausage and peppers. I asked him how much it cost, thinking it was some expensive meal. He said he got everything for under $12 and it fed three of us. I spend more than that on a single burger and fries delivery. It kinda hit me that I'm paying for convenience, not food. How do you guys get past the mental block of just ordering in when you're tired?

3 comments

3 Comments

baker.ben1mo ago

Ever notice how we'll pay a premium to avoid ten minutes of effort?

gavin_kim31mo ago

It's not just about avoiding effort. The premium often pays for skill, tools, or consistency you don't have. I'll pay a guy to fix my sink because he has the right wrench and knows where the leak is, not because I'm lazy. My ten minutes would turn into a three hour mess and a bigger bill.

taylor_fox1mo ago

Ben's point misses the real value of paying someone. You're buying back your own time and peace of mind. That's worth way more than a few bucks.