The thing about $$$

So, the economy is on a downward spiral.
But the upside is -- I'm getting a kick out of saving and cost-cutting.
It has to do with having a family.
Once you have a family, you really understand what money is all about.
For one thing, no fab, triple-star restaurant beats a meal at home.
I don't know what it is about home-cooked food and that warm fuzzy family feeling.
But i know i'm going to all lengths to create it.

And yes, i can proudly say - we eat at home everyday.
Every week, i head out for a week's worth of groceries.
Which ain't cheap.
Cos we eat well at home - fish, seafood, chicken stew, healthy veg, the works.
Funny how i don't miss eating out at all.
We don't even do it once a week... perhaps once a month.
And when we eat out, it's to savour other cuisines harder to replicate at home.
Like if we have specific cravings for Japanese or Italian or American fare.


It's true what they say -- you turn into your mum when you have your own family.
The happiest part of the day is when terence comes back and we all sit down for a hearty meal.
When Marco looks at us eat, he eats better too.
So it's a win-win situation all round.

And i want him to, one day in the near future, come back from school and know that there's always food at home.
Not just any food, but delicious, mouth-watering home-cooked Chinese fare.
And to bring his packed lunch or sandwiches to school too.

Basically... to grow up as I did.
I didn't really eat out until i was about 17-18.
Before that, i just ate at home all the time.
I knew hawkers existed, but i never knew what they sold and didn't enjoy the food.
It always tasted way too salty and oily.


Groceries ain't cheap.
After a few months of patronising Cold Storage, i gave up.
It was just too expensive.
Now wiser, I shop at Giant or NTUC.
Which is almost half the price, believe me.
I only go to Cold Storage for the organic stuff now.

And suprisingly, I really don't need all my dresses and shoes as much as i thought.
With most my days spent with Marco, when can i really dress up anyway?
It'll be ridiculous to wear anything remotely frilly to the playground or park.
Instead, i'd rather buy a great comfy lasting pair of berms than jeans.

As we get older, perhaps what we focus on also change.
Instead of 'perishables' like the latest It bag, i'd rather splurge on skincare / massages / facials.
Or save for a great trip.
I now prefer to treat myself to a day at the spa than a day shopping in town.
I feel the need to get away from the chaos and madness of city life more than before.
There are a few day spas great for escaping away - Spa Botanica at Sentosa is my fave.
Not cheap, but a real you-deserve-it treat.


I realise I can do without a lot of the things i previously lusted for.
But i can't do without whatever's linked to my family.
So my priorities have shifted 360 degrees.
Now, there are a lot worth saving for: a bigger house, Marco's classes, great trips to plan for, kids parties we wanna hold etc etc.
I much prefer life this way.
It's no longer Me, Me, Me.
But We, We, We.