Personal finance is incredibly fascinating because it’s deeply individualized. For instance, while you may not think twice about paying $100 for cable, others might prefer to save that sum and devote their time to reading instead. The bargain of buying shoes for $40 may make you turn up your nose, but another individual might perceive it as an amazing bargain.
Also, what about other choices? Would you opt for extravagant spending on depreciating items such as a luxury car, or is an affordable Toyota sedan more your speed? Do you insist on the highest quality designer clothes, or would clothes from Target suffice for you?
Let’s talk about consumable items. How far would you go in this regard?
EXTRAVAGANT CONSUMPTION
BURGERS
Did you know there’s a hamburger on sale for $666? According to The Huffington post, the Douche Burger offered by 666 Burger is a foie-stuffed, gold-leaf-wrapped, gourmet Kobe patty, draped in caviar, lobster, truffles, Gruyere cheese melted with Champagne steam, and barbeque sauce made from the world’s priciest coffee, Kopi Luwak. Bear in mind, there are even pricier burgers out there, which cost up to $5,000 for a full meal, including a bottle of wine priced at $2,500 (Delish).
COFFEE
Starbucks is now old news in the coffee business. As of 2006, Hacienda la Esmeralda Geisha in Panama has been selling coffee beans worth $100 per pound (Forbes). Even if you’re a die-hard coffee aficionado, would you ever consider spending such a hefty sum on your daily java?
SUSHI
In the Philippines, you can buy 5 pieces of nigiri sushi garnished with diamonds and coated in 24-karat gold leaf for $1,978.15 (Guinness Book of World Records). But what about regular sushi? A service at Sushi Jiro, the legendary sushi master who was immortalized in the documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, could cost you as much as $366, according to Delish.
PIZZA
Pizza is a quintessential American delight, along with hot dogs and apple pie. But at Steveston Pizza Company, pizza takes a whole new dimension, with the C6 pizza, priced at $450 and topped with lobster and black Alaskan cod, and served with a side of Russian Osetra caviar (Delish).
THE COST OF LUXURY
You might object, pointing out that only celebrities with deep pockets could afford such prices. Most likely, you’re right. However, if you regularly dine out, your perception of reasonable pricing for a meal could gradually shift. You might initially think $40 for two is preposterous, but after dining out often, that number could rise to $50 or even $60.
The question is, where do you draw the line? How much are you willing to shell out for a dining experience that lasts less than thirty minutes and then is gone forever? Would you consider paying more purely for the thrill — and perhaps globally broadcasted bragging rights — of indulging in ultra-expensive cuisines?
