“The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long after the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten.”– axiom posted at my local mechanic shop.
Since my return to college last year and the Prediger’s retirement last year, I’ve been looking for ways to save money without sacrificing quality. Thanks to the Internet, we saved so much on clothes, books, vitamins, and computer supplies. But there is a fine line between frugality and cheapness. It can be blurry at times…but when it comes to food safety, the distinction is sharp and clear.
Mary Ann Romans has written an article on the danger of sacrificing food safety to save money. I like to elaborate on the method of making ice tea safely. Be sure that you boil the water prior to steeping the tea. After that, pour it over a pitcher full of ice, and then store it in the fridge. Better yet, I use the Mr Coffee Ice Tea Maker, and it’s worth the 12 bux I paid. I do not get the problem of that weird filmy stuff I get after brewing tea via kettle, and the results are very consistent. Also, be sure to brew just enough for one day and discard the remaining at the end of the day.
Another thing to consider: Dumpster diving for food? What The Frell?! I understand fishing for furniture or factory seconds, but there is a reason why food gets discarded. Talking about penny wise, pound foolish! If you do that, get sick and shell out money for Pepto, you deserve it!
Somehow, this reminds me of Chris Rock’s “Cheap Pete” character. You may have seen his skits in In Living Color, CB4, and I’m Gonna Git You Sucka:
Rib Joint Customer: Ya got any soda?
Hammer: One dollar.
Rib Joint Customer: Aw, c’mon, now! Look out for a brother, man, c’mon, yeah. Check this out: why don’t you let me get a sip for fifteen cents?
Hammer: My cups cost more than fifteen cents!
Rib Joint Customer: All right, fsck* the cup. Pour it in my hand for a dime.
*Note that I substituted the original f-word. In Linux, “fsck” is the file system check. You use that command after your computer crashes, especially after a power outage. Geeks are very amused at the similar spelling of these words.