Getting Stuck On the Old Rules

A teacher once told me that he wasn't able to enjoy a meal that cost more than $10. Although this was many years ago, I've always remembered this when choosing a restaurant. As a result, I often find myself selecting a place to eat based on price. Unless the food is really awful, I seem to enjoy low priced meals. In a high priced restaurant, even if the meal is very good, my pleasure is diminished by how much I've had to pay. Is this a way to live? While eating out can consume a large chunk of discretionary expenses, it seems like I've taken this a bit too far.

Similarly, I learned somewhere that hotels / motels shouldn't cost more than $100 / night, much less if possible. After all, you're only going there to sleep, right? The current hotel where my wife and I have stayed for the first part of our trip has cost $115 / night, which is a 'special' rate since she is attending a conference. Supposedly the 'regular' rate is about $300! Yes, it is a nice facility with a large pool (I am a year round swimmer), but it still seems 'expensive' to me.

In dealing with elderly relatives, I've noticed that many people get 'stuck' on prices that have long become obsolete. Unless you shop regularly and see what things cost now, it's easy to think that the old rules still apply. So for some the solution is to stay out of stores unless absolutely necessary and complain that things 'cost too much.' Then, when forced to replace an item that has broken or worn out, it's shocking to discover the new reality.

Dining out and accommodations can consume a huge part of a travel budget. But while it's nice to save money where you can, getting fixated on the 'right' cost should be can be tiring and, in the end, take much of the pleasure out of a vacation.