These days, with our fast-paced work-a-day lives, we often do things that seem convenient at the time. That is they SEEM to save us time or money or energy. But often that seeming convenience is only on the surface. When we unpack these habits and look at their hidden cost we find a completely different story. This post is number one in series on revealing these hidden costs. We'll explore various habits, look at the hidden costs and also look at developing new habits that can set us free to live a truly convenient and content life.
The first seeming convenience that we are going to look at and one that I fell into for a time myself some years ago is stopping for take-out on the way home from work. On the surface it seems to save us time and energy. What could be easier? You make a phone call (perhaps from your cell, from the car), and you run in and pick up the food and you are off home to eat. But what are the hidden costs?
- Added dollars to your food budget (it's much more costly to eat out than cook at home)
- May take you out of your normal route on the way home adding time to your commute and cost of gas and wear and tear
- Additional cost to the environment of the extra driving and the packaging of the food
- Negative health impact, as most take-out foods pack far more salt, fat and calories than food made at home.
- More hours at the gym to work off all those extra calories, and the cost of the gym membership
- More hours at work to pay for it all.
That take out meal sounds a lot less convenient now. Doesn't it?
Next time. Tips for breaking the take-out habit.
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