I didn't realize this, or rather, I didn't think much about it.
The thing about freegan living is that... well, I don't get exactly what I want, and I don't get spices and a lot of other condiments and stuff. So yes, I do have so buy some. I try not to buy too much variety cos most of the time, people buy different types of condiments but end up not using them. They use it for one recipe then they keep it in the cupboard for months cos it's not a common condiment or sauce or spice.
Anyway... cos I've been living a low spending livestyle and I try to get stuff for free. For my cooking, I get random stuff. And the challenge is... what can I do with these stuff. And I like the challenge of getting the free stuff and getting ideas online and making do with that I have and mixing ingredients to see if they work, and thinking of free substitutes IF I don't have the ingredients.
And I like this as a challenge. Trying to do more with less.
I know people who may think, "OK I'm going to cook XXX for dinner today...". Then they go to Pasir Panjang to look for ingredients and if they don't get those specific ingredients, they just go to the supermarket and buy, cos they couldn't get exactly what they want.
Nothing wrong with that. Most people do that. Most people buy stuff from the supermarket.
For me, I like to go to get free food. I go and take what I can get then from that bunch, I'll think... "Hmmm... ok now that I have these, WHAT can I do with them... " and I go online and read up what flavours match with what flavours or what is good to mix with what.
And I realized this difference happens very often in other aspects of life.
I know friends who think... "Oh I feel like eating XYZ today." So they go to that restaurant. IF there is a discount on that day, then lucky, else, it's ok, they don't mind paying full price.
Whereas, on weekends, when I was in SG, I would look at the list of promos and choose a place I would like to go which has a promo, and if there's no promo, it's ok. I can go elsewhere and wait for a promo to eat at a particular restaurant.
Both ways of spending is fine... I'm just noting a difference on how I view things vs how many of my friends view things.
Or take even the idea of retirement.
Many people lament. "Oh I don't have enough money, I don't have this, I need to buy this, etc etc...". So they put off retirement or they feel that they are too financially insecure to retire.
But I'm ok with working with less. I don't have a lot in my assets. But for me, I feel that that's enough. I'm willing to work around that and make other changes to work within those parameters.
Now, I'm not saying any of these ways are wrong. It's just different mentality.
I'm willing to make changes and experience some inconvenience to lower my cost.
For others, they may want something immediately and they don't mind the cost. That's fine.
The worst is when people want the best of BOTH worlds.
They want free food but they want EXACTLY what they want.
Or they expect food to be cheap but using good ingredients with good service.
Or they complain that they cannot retire when they have expensive lifestyles.
Many things in life, it's a trade off. The only thing that's in our own hands, is HOW to make the trade off better for yourself.
For example, I may not get great ingredients for my cooking for free, so I learn how to use simple ingredients to make nicer tasting food. Not best, but good enough for what I'm given.
Or I may not have the best job, but HOW, can I make the job as bearable as possible to farm the job for the money so that I can move out after X number of years.
And everyday, we are given these choices. If we are lazy, or refuse to change and adapt, then we just have to pay for our decisions. If we want convenience, then just pay for it. Or if we want to do things our way, keep living the same lifestyle... That's fine. Nothing wrong with that. But someone who complains about the cost of their choice... Now... THAT is also NO problem. Cos... at the end of the day... his problem is not my problem.
If someone wants to live an expensive lifestyle and in the end cannot retire and he complains or grumbles about it... Doesn't affect me right? So no issue for me also.
What's important is for me to take ownership of my own life and my own decisions and make the best of what I am given. The small decisions and steps all add up eventually in the long run.
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