Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - Save more and give more by spending less on food!

Still Growing · 01-12-2007, 01:41 PM

Ravi,
I have lived in some developing countries and when I returned back to the US I thought the same thing you did.

Exchange rate and lack of middle class income makes food services cost less in India.

Your feelings upon return are not only a guiltly feeling for being fortunate its also a readjustment on your value of the dollar. You start to value .50 there and now $5 for a latte seems obsurd. Don't forget that when you paid .50 for that meal the less fortunate thought you should just pay .15 and prepare it yourself.

This thinking is a trap. Although you can do without a $5 latte you can put your brainpower towards creating your own income here and sending a portion to India through charities, for example.

In my experience, when you focus on dollars, dollars are what you will get. When you focus on thousands, thousands are what you get, etc.

I don't see money as most do. I see it only as a purchaser of time in the place you now stand. When you are India you buy time with the local market price and when you are here you do the same. By being wise with these purchases and by increasing the imput while decreasing the output it is a good thing.

In conclusion, I think that your post is good and positive but it really is based upon guilt and you temporary change in your currency valuation beliefs. I recommend changing the way you think about money.

I'm not sure if you follow my point but I hope you do.

01-12-2007, 01:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Still Growing Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 909	Standard of Living Ravi, I have lived in some developing countries and when I returned back to the US I thought the same thing you did. Exchange rate and lack of middle class income makes food services cost less in India. Your feelings upon return are not only a guiltly feeling for being fortunate its also a readjustment on your value of the dollar. You start to value .50 there and now $5 for a latte seems obsurd. Don't forget that when you paid .50 for that meal the less fortunate thought you should just pay .15 and prepare it yourself. This thinking is a trap. Although you can do without a $5 latte you can put your brainpower towards creating your own income here and sending a portion to India through charities, for example. In my experience, when you focus on dollars, dollars are what you will get. When you focus on thousands, thousands are what you get, etc. I don't see money as most do. I see it only as a purchaser of time in the place you now stand. When you are India you buy time with the local market price and when you are here you do the same. By being wise with these purchases and by increasing the imput while decreasing the output it is a good thing. In conclusion, I think that your post is good and positive but it really is based upon guilt and you temporary change in your currency valuation beliefs. I recommend changing the way you think about money. I'm not sure if you follow my point but I hope you do.