Never Retire: What I Used to Avoid Buying in the U.S. Because of Price

From groceries to paper towels, and even potato chips—what I never used to buy in the U.S. is just part of life in Spain.

I assume that most of us need to pay attention to what we spend. We have money saved for specific things we want to do in the near- and long-term. Ideally, we don't touch these pots of money and periodically add to them.

Outside of this savings, we spend money regularly on fixed expenses (e.g., housing, utilities), necessities (e.g. groceries) and discretionary items (things we don’t need). If we just spend without thinking twice (sin pensarlo dos veces), we’re going to run out of money—or tap savings—before the month ends or we get paid again.

When you’re in this typical middle/upper middle class situation, budget conversations usually focus on the type of car you drive and eating and drinking out too many times in the month (demasiadas veces al mes).

This makes sense (esto tiene sentido) in a country like the United States where, in most places, a car is a necessity and eating and drinking out costs an arm and a leg (cuesta un ojo de la cara). Five bucks for a coffee, $20 for a basic lunch and $75 minimum for an only halfway decent dinner for two means that even decent or better money (un sueldo decente) doesn’t go a long way (no cunde).

In a second, some examples.

But first—

I struggle to find time to study Spanish, so I try to work it into my work—meto el español en mi trabajo siempre que puedo.