I Deserve the Miracle Whip

I am frugal by nature. That personality trait has been galvanized by years of crushing debt, the expense of raising kids, inflation, expensive car repairs, major appliance replacements, a week-long hospital stay, and unforeseen job losses. Due to these events forging me into the savvy shopper I am, I still shop like I'm on a shoestring grocery budget for the week, regardless of how much money I have in the bank.

You may remember from my last post that I lost half of my frozen food last week. A full freezer is peace of mind for me. You never know when something could happen -- a lost job, a natural catastrophe wiping out the store or power to the store, all of the meat becoming scarce or recalled, or being trapped in our homes for days on end by a storm. Anything can happen, and I want to be prepared.

Therefore, a serious trip to the grocery store was in order to rebuild my stock. Thankfully, Friday was payday, and I was able to dedicate as much of my check to replenishing my freezer as I needed. I loaded my heavy-duty ice chest in the car and ventured out into the world in search of meat and frozen veggies to keep for a rainy day.

The best meat bang for my buck that I've found in my area is Aldi. I can buy a two-pound pork roast there for well under $5.00, which is typically less than one pound of ground beef. My husband never complains about pot roast or pulled pork, so I buy those small roasts often. They're the epitome of a simple meal in the slow cooker.

Aldi surprised and delighted me this time with their meat prices. I was able to buy Wagyu ground beef for $4.99 per pound. You know I had to buy a few of those at that price! I believe their regular ground beef was $5.49 a pound, which made the Wagyu an even sweeter deal. I probably should have bought more, but I was trying not to be greedy by denying other shoppers such a steal of a deal. (I may pop in after work during week for a few more, though.) I also bought a shoulder roast, a pork tenderloin, some ground turkey, and a pound of Black Forest ham.

Of course, I had to buy a variety of cheeses, milk, veggies, and other pantry staples. My coffee creamer is a must, you know. My husband has recently given up sweets, but he still enjoys protein and granola bars. I had three or four boxes of those in my cart along with his Greek yogurt, my sugar-free apple sauce, and the protein snack packs I like to take to work with me.

I had well over $100.00 worth of groceries in my shopping cart when I saw the Miracle Whip. I haven't bought name brand Miracle Whip in years, but it's my favorite. I knew I had "salad dressing" at home and didn't need this condiment. I walked on past it and put my husband's saltine crackers in the cart.

I started to leave the aisle when a realization hit me. I could afford the Miracle Whip. I had earned the right to treat myself. It's not like I was considering the purchase of caviar for my work week lunches. This was a condiment for $3.97, which I enjoy eating on my ham and tomato sandwiches. Ham and tomato sandwiches are my normal lunch this time of year when the garden is providing me with such delicious bounty. The "salad dressing" I've been eating on them is lackluster at best.

I am quite fiscally conservative with my money. In the past, I would have left the tangy white sandwich spread in the store, but that day was different. I realized I work hard for my money and spend it wisely. I take my lunch to work every day; I usually eat a pack of Armour Cracker Crunchers for breakfast; and dinner is typically something I whip up with my own two hands. I'm not wasting money on frivolity.

Standing in that grocery store, I realized that I am worth the Miracle Whip. I know people who spend more on one cup of their morning coffee than I would spend on my whole jar of zippy deliciousness. So, for the first time in probably ten years, I have Miracle Whip in my refrigerator. And yes, my ham and tomato sandwiches taste better because of it. It's a small luxury, but I deserve the Miracle Whip!

Do you have a grocery item you consider a luxury?

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