Member-only story
“Do not let your happiness depend on something you may lose.”
- C S Lewis (1898–1963), British writer
Most people love a bargain.
Perhaps not all. Perhaps not those for whom money has no meaning — maybe some of the 0.1% of our society (160,000 families who, in 2014, made at least $1.5M/year) and a few others one can think of: Siddhartha Gautama, Jesus of Nazareth, St. Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa, Mohandas Gandhi.
Some tried to take it with them. Certain pharaohs, for instance. When pyramids were raided, tomb robbers found the physical trappings Egyptian kings took, hoping to have them in the afterlife.
For us ordinary mortals, bargains hold a certain allure. We dislike paying more than the next person. Some of us like getting what we consider a good deal. That explains the sometimes-long lines outside stores when prices are marked down certain days of the year.
Over a decade ago I replaced my clothes washer and dryer with a matching Kenmore set. I was told I could get both for the price of one around Thanksgiving Day. I was less delighted when I inquired when the appliances could be delivered. It would be the following January.
I wasn’t willing to wait that long. So I rented a truck for a day and moved the appliances myself.
