$2/Day - "Where's My Peanut Butter?"

Today is day #4 out of 7 of the $2/Day Challenge.  I told Sue this morning, "Ok, I'm sick of this."  And it's true; while eating on this little amount everyday is doable, I'm not enjoying it.  But enjoying it does not mean I'm not learning some stuff.  Let me tell you a quick story about peanut butter and then a couple more lessons learned so far.  I was out of town for meetings the last two days and I made the decision to stick with the $2/Day Challenge even though i was traveling and in meetings.  Sue packed me $4 worth of food for the two days in a plastic jewel baggy and I stuffed it into my carry-on for the trip. The people I was meeting with ate out all three meals both days.  And they at at some very nice restaurants.  I was surprised that even less enjoyable than watching them eat was them feeling bad and trying to rescue me. They had good intentions, but it was weird being noticed for not having anything to eat.  I'm sure there is a lesson there.  I need more time to ponder.  But one of the staples of my two days was a small container of peanut butter.  And on the second day I lost my peanut butter.  I left it in the hotel cafe and when the table got cleaned off someone threw it away.  I have never missed a few tablespoons of peanut butter before.  That meant that my next meal would be only the bread and no peanut butter.  Ugh!!  

So, here are some more lessons I have learned so far through the $2/Day Challenge?

• Food is precious.  When you have only a little bit of food to live on, it becomes very important.  I know that I'm using and re-using tea bags a second and third time to make sure I get everything out of them.  I was really bummed when I couldn't find my peanut butter.  Food is precious to those when you have very little.  
• There is stress and pressure to make the food last.  This morning Sue said, "I'm not sure we are going to have enough to make it the whole week."  I could feel myself react with slight panic, "What?"  It hit me that for parents in third world countries, they live with the stress and strain everyday of trying to make food last for their family.  They may not be thinking a week at a time, but I'm sure they are thinking about it everyday.

If you are doing the $2/Day Challenge or have done something like this, what lessons have you learned?

Comments

[Doug White]

Good post Dave...

[Mary Leddon]

Dave,

I've had the very same panic about not having enough to make it through the week. I was also struck with how hard that would be to live that way week in and week out. At the end of the day, if we don't have enough we can buy more to finish the week, going over the $2/day limit or "suffer" through the last day with very little. But next week we'll go right back to buying everything we need, scratch that want. People who live like this don't have that luxury. Now what are we going to do with this new found knowledge???

[Doug]

Side story...
I was working with a musician and we bought some Indian food for the car ride to the studio. We pulled up to a toll that had a garbage can and I threw my bag away. I thought he was done too and I threw his away and drove off. He looked at me with tears in his eyes, it was the only food he had for two days and he wasn't finished with his meal. I felt horrible and promised to buy more food.
To not have the resources to procure a simple meal is something most of us don't even think about. I love the challenge you guys are doing. You'll never look at food the same again...

[Deb Dreyer]

I moved to Colorado for a job in June of 2007 but follow happenings at CCC as I served there for about seven years with Kids City. I went from making a six figure income to being laid off, living on unemployment. That ended as 18 months into my unemployment I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. I now live on food stamps, Medicaid and minimal child support. I receive some assistance from family members for living expenses. I know this isn't third world country living. I still have more money than those in the third world but for living in the US my plight is not uncommon. I think everyday what happens if... But God gently reminds me that my story is less about me and more about His power through me in this situation. I am closer to Him than ever and my peace levels are steady. And its all because of Him. Relying on God is easy or hard - its up to you what you want to leave at the foot of the cross.

[Francie]

I'm finding your comments interesting, even though I'm not part of your church and am not participating in this effort. I'll be interested to know at the end of the week if you feel this experience will have any long-term effects???

[patricia]

Your sentence about re-using tea bags reminds me of my mom. When we were younger money was really tight. 5 kids, one job, one car, medical bills. Mom used one tea bag for 3 cups of tea every day. She could also stretch chicken for soup so that we jokingly called it "Find the Chicken Soup." It was amazing what she managed to do with what little was left in the cupboard and 3-4 days till dad got paid.

[Ed Bahler]

Dave,

I have your peanut butter container!!!!
A little late I know, but we found it after you left the other morning. It looked so lonely setting their on the table.

We knew what it meant regarding your menu the next 48 hours. I pondered overnighting it but that would have been something like $15. Bummer....no way.

So we were just sad for our hungry buddy. Watching you watch us eat last week was ugly. But as you've shared, we're all learning a lot through it.

I'll UPS your lonely container back this week.

Love ya bro.

Ed Bahler

[Dave Ferguson]

Ed, do you seriously have it? If true, that is funny!