Cars, Coffee pots or Countertops

“You cannot control everything that happens to you; you can only control the way you respond to what happens. In your response is your power.”

Anonymous

Whether I am purchasing a new car, a new coffee pot or new countertops, my number one concern is value.

Is there value in what I am paying ?

I think that's why I often find myself struggling to make a choice to spend my money,my hard earned money.

A few months ago, our coffee pot stopped working.

I loved my coffee pot.

It had all sorts of bells and whistles.

Automatic on and off.

A preset feature with a timer.

The filter basket pulled out easily for quick and clean access.

It had a clock to tell time.

It was the best coffee pot ever!

I had to replace it immediately.

(Imagine morning without coffee?.......Ridiculous!)

I went on line to find a new one.

$115.

$175.

$89.

$275.

$19.99.

Hmmmm.....which one makes the best coffee?

Being in a rush and not having the time or the desire to put a lot of energy into this, I ordered and paid for it on line,drove to the store,picked it up and in a matter of minutes I was back in the coffee business.

It has literally been 8 months since I brought it home.

I have mad at least 3 pots of coffee every day.

I have made coffee for myself, for friends and for family.

No one has complained about the coffee.

No one has said "no thank you" when I offer up a cup.

$19.99.....that's had value!

I'm not cheap.

I'm not miserly.

I'm not even frugal.

I just want value when I buy something.

The next big expense for us will be the new countertops for the kitchen.

If you have ever bought countertops, you know they ain't cheap.

$50/sq.ft. seems to be the starting point.

I need many square feet!

While speaking with a friend of mine the other day , who is in the middle of a remodel, he mentioned that he got a great deal on his granite counters.

$19/sq.'.

WTF!

Why am I paying 3 times that amount?

Where is the value in that.

Same thing happened when I was searching for someone to sand and spackle the room I am currently working on.

5 contractors quoted the job all in the $2500-$3000 range .

Are you nuts?

I know how much work this iis (or isn't).

Fimal cost..............$625!

VALUE!

I have some more thoughts on this I'll share later on.

I think there is something important in this!