How do you decide whether to indulge in a high end/high
price version of a product or service or whether to be responsible and stick to
the low end/low price version? Some people
are very responsible and always take the low end. This can work if you don’t know what you are
missing by never experiencing the high end.
Some people always take the high end.
But I suspect that they end up on the government dole in retirement because
they haven’t saved. Remember the ant and
the caterpillar fable.
The problem with the 95% of us who go back and forth is that
you never know in advance which one is best for that situation. You might settle for the low end and be
satisfied. Then you feel really good
about the choice. You also might feel
slightly unsatisfied, but reconcile the choice because you were
responsible. That feeling can make up
for the difference. But what about those
times you are totally unsatisfied? Do
you then go for the indulgence anyway?
If you do, do you feel guilty about it or forget about your previous
mistake and just move on?
I had a small version of this yesterday. I was choosing among the beers in my
fridge. I am moving, so I need to finish
them all before I go. I decided to go
with the low end. It was not
satisfying. But rather than have a
second beer, I decided to go with the indulgent choice on the cheese I had
later. Extra sharp cheddar and extra aged
parmigiano reggiano. Made up for the
beer. But tonight I am having the IPA
for sure. So should I go for the
American slices?
