Getting the Most from Your $5

It’s so easy to impulse shop when the amount you’re spending is only about $5. How many times have you wanted to stop for coffee or pick up a cute pair of earrings off the clearance rack because they were only $5? How many times have you actually justified it and made the purchase.

For most people, $5 is no big deal. But, spending $5 here and $5 there is what throws many budgets off track. It’s amazing how fast it adds up.

Let’s put this in perspective a little. Here is a list of some things you can buy for $5 (give or take some spare change):

· A latte or mocha from Starbucks

· A foot long sandwich from Subway

· A kids meal at most fast food restaurants

· A regular size combo meal from many fast food restaurants

· Ear phones from Big Lots for your MP3 player

· A rotisserie chicken from the grocery store

· About two gallons of gas for your car

· Two lunches from a public school cafeteria

· Four gallons of milk

· Two to three pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast

· One pound of deli meat on sale at the grocery store

· Two loaves of whole wheat bread from most grocery stores

· A whole watermelon and three to five pounds of bananas from Aldi

· A package of socks or under garments from Wal-Mart 

Let’s say you stop for a mocha or a latte twice a week, and you eat a fast food meal once a week. You’re paying $15 for two cups of coffee, a burger, fries and soft drink. That same $15 can get you: four gallons of milk; enough chicken breast to feed a family of four twice that week; and enough fruit for the family to have at breakfast and lunch for an entire week.

The coffee and fast food may be worth it to you. That’s your choice. This just gives you a little perspective and may help you beat that impulse the next time you’re ready to spend $5.