The $2.50 Subway Conundrum | brokeGIRLrich
Yesterday as I was walking 20 blocks to Penn Station after work, I had some time to think.
You see, I wasn’t on a tight schedule after work, it was a nice day and I figured, why spend $2.50 if I don’t have to on the subway back? My travel stipend for this job just barely covers my NJ Transit tickets into the city for the duration, so each subway ride I take from Penn Station down to Hudson Street is on my own dime.
It started out fine. It really was a nice day. About halfway there, I started thinking about how freaking heavy my backpack was. And about ¾ of the way, I started wondering what possessed me to think this was worth $2.50. If I hadn’t been carrying a heavy backpack, I told myself, I’d’ve been fine. But I was.
That flipped on the personal finance voice in my brain who really started to wonder, was it worth a mere $2.50, what I was doing to myself?
I immediately thought, if I had some kind of freelance writing gig lined up and could be making $100 right now, then no, this would be ridiculous and I would’ve shelled out the $2.50 to get home and get right to work.
But in that moment, I didn’t have anything else I could be doing. In that moment, the best I could do was make $2.50 that hour. Which is a pretty paltry sum.
However, I also reminded myself that if I made this walk back even just 75% of the time after rehearsals, that would quickly add up to about $70, and on a budget as tight as mine, wouldn’t I rather be able to hit the movies or go out to dinner with my friends a few times this summer than take the subway after work?
There’s also the exercise factor. As whiny as I was, I probably only walked about 2 miles, if that. For someone who spends a lot of her time on her computer typing or binge watching Once Upon a Time lately, this choice has health benefits that probably outweigh the $2.50 I’m saving.
By the time I hit Penn Station, I knew I’d made the right choice, because when you’re in a budget lockdown, even $2.50 can make a difference.
When I read the headline I thought $2.50 is a good deal for a sandwich. I guess I should eat my breakfast before reading. 🙂 The little wins add up over time.
Brian @ debt discipline recently posted…Debt is a four-letter word
Haha, me, too, Brian! I’ve been here so many times before. $2.50 can add up, and when you don’t have the cashflow…
femmefrugality recently posted…How Almost Anyone Can Go to Disney World for Free
I totally though the same thing, 2.50 sandwich!
I have the same internal thought string when I walk home from the park and ride, it’s not that far, but some days I wish I drove
Apathy Ends recently posted…Is There a Downside to Employers Paying Student Loans?
I’m glad it’s not just me!
It’s amazing how often I have conversations with myself (in my head) about things like this too. Just when I’ve just about convinced myself to spend the money, my frugal side usually comes back with a good reason not too.
Catherine Alford recently posted…3 Ways To Stay Calm and Happy During a Major Life Uproar
It really is important it to think it through, all the way through, to decide if something is worth it. Glad you got some exercise and at least it wasn’t raining!
Gary @ Super Saving Tips recently posted…It’s Blogiversary Time Again – Happy, Happy #2
Always finding the silver lining, Gary! 🙂
$2.50 earned is better than nothing! All of it adds up really quickly!
True! Thanks!
I’m glad you brought up the exercise angle. It’s a really great benefit that you are getting along with not spending money. I wish I was better at working a good walk into my routines.
On the other hand, I can see that some days $2.50 is going to sound like a bargain: wet rainy days, days you’re especially tired, etc.
Emily @ JohnJaneDoe recently posted…Video Streaming Options: Hulu and Amazon and Netflix, Oh My!
Definitely! The other day we had a very lengthy meeting after a rehearsal and I was intent on getting to the gym before the end of the day, so $2.50 seemed totally ok to me that day.
“For someone who spends a lot of her time on her computer typing or binge watching Once Upon a Time lately”
*cough* Well hello, life twin. I too have been doing all of this. 🙂 When I catch myself being a Pokeasaurus Rex, wanting to cut short Seamus’s walk so I can get back to work or being lazy about playing with JuggerBaby, I have to (strongly) remind myself that walking regularly is part of being healthy and there are some things that promote good health that you just can’t buy. 30 minutes of walking a day is far more beneficial in the long haul than 30 more minutes in front of the computer. And it can open up your mind to inspiration, besides.
And, of course, every nickel does count when you are in budget lockdown.
Revanche@AGaiShanLife recently posted…Finally Friday #3
It’s true. There are so many studies lately about how we’re shortening our life spans with all this sitting around. It’s kind of crazy.
My feet are currently sore from excessive walking in less than stellar shoes. I am going to kiss my excellent, comfortable shoes when I get them back from the cobbler!
ZJ Thorne recently posted…Net Worth Week 5 – Vacation Style
Good shoes are definitely ones of those items that can br worth a splurge!
I’ve really been trying to push myself to get more steps in on my Fitbit, and I’d probably justify the walking by knowing the extra steps I’d be adding to my total 🙂
Money Beagle recently posted…Breaking Up (With Our Dentist) Was Hard To Do
Every little helps and 2 miles of good walking is a great way to build exercise into your day! I try not to pay for car parking in our local town (couldn’t walk all the way there honestly) by parking quite a bit away and walking in to the town center.
On another note I love Once Upon a Time! What series are you on?
Hayley @ Disease Called Debt recently posted…Oops!… I (Nearly) Did It Again
Halfway through the 3rd season!