We all have our lil “gotta-have-its”–things that we’re just itchin’ to spend money on that aren’t essentials, maybe not even all that smart as purchases, but “gotta have it.”
When I ran into (OK, bought, cos it was about the same price–actually a tad less–than a six pack of Groelsch) a KC microbrew wheat beer that really turned my crank the other day, I once again got an itch to run out and buy this:
And this (of course)
Of course, there’s no guarantee I’d be able to reproduce a beer as good as the one that inspired this lil itch–at least not right away, and probably not with the Mr Beer kit. Heck, I’d probably have to run down to the neerest place (out of state, no less) that sells the raw ingredients, fuss around with learning more about beer making and even perhaps get a “real” beer making kit that included glass carboys, etc., before I could approximate the flavor.
And how long, at about 1/3 the cost per ounce of finished product, including buying good water, would it take me to recoup the expenditure? At about 1 or two beers a day (with a meal only–I know myself at least that well), well, I’ve not run the numbers but it’d take a while.
You get my drift yet? Itchin’ to spend some money on stuff I don’t really need. Where does that come from? Why not save it?
Our whole society has undergone a sea change since about the early 1950s or thereabouts. Saving has become something few people really do. Spending, spending above ones means, staying perpetually in debt, always behind the eight ball, is something a wide majority of Americans have chosen as a lifestyle. Spending on frivolous things, such as the extra $$ for that tasty microbrew (when good old American horse pi$$ will do as much good for my heart and nervous system, etc., health *heh*).
And then I saw Jerry Pournelle’s comment on an email I sent him (no, not the first one at that link; the second one :-)):
“They fine you for saving money. This ought to tell you what they want you to do.”
Folks, this is just another reason, of very, very many, that we need to scrap the current tax code and replace it with the Fair Tax. Just think it through.
Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, The Virtuous Republic, Faultline USA, Big Dog’s Weblog, Walls of the City, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, Phastidio.net, and , thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
Ignoring the fair tax point, which I don’t even want to get into, I’ve found home brewing to be a rewarding hobby.
While I agree that Americans are over motivated to spend, it is alright to spend money on non-essentials, like hobbies. It’s only a problem if you can’t keep it in check.
I think I’ve broken even in my home brewing, though I make mead and not beer so I can’t to a real cost comparison. When you compare how much I haven’t had to buy compared to what I’ve spent on what I make. Combine that with the pleasure and satisfaction I get from making something with my own skill and labor and from sharing it with others.
Though, to point out, if we’re only buying essentials, why by beer in the first place?
Oh, I agree that I’ll likely be able to more than break even–very likely be able to make the stuff for much less than the cost of the beers I enjoy the most. But counting it as another “hobby” kinda stretches my hobby habit a bit. One or two hobbies should do a guy. But then I guess I don’t really have hobbies so much as ongoing projects in different areas of interest… 🙂
As to buying only essentials, well, beer is an essential. As Augustine said (well, I think it was Augustine, though sometimes I attribute Aquinas’ comments to Augustine), beer is evidence that God loves us.
😉
At my age, anything that’s really good for my prostate, my brain and my blood pressure (among other things), is pleasant and adds to the quality of my life is essential. *heh*
But as I pointed out, I can get all that–except for the pleasure–from a can of Coors or a Bud or some other stuff that smells and tastes (as I imagine the taste to be–no direct experience) like water filtered through a horse. So, I guess between your comment and my rationalization (*heh*), I’ve talked myself into buying the lil starter kit (and what the heck, the sample pack of supplies). At my rate of consumption, even sharing with Son & Heir, I might just get a month’s supply out of the stuff. Enough to see if it’ll pay off in the long run, at least.
David, I’m not even going to comment on the tax thing, because that would require thinking. Instead I’m just going to tell you how nasty beer is. Gross.
Mel, I don’t drink American stuff that tastes like water “filtered” through a horse, so I may not drink what you think of as beer. Recently, two different wheat beers: one from a microbrewery in KCMO (Blvd Brewery) and another from Sam Adams–a wheat beer brewed with Michigan cherries. Sweet. Well, not real sweet, but “Sweeeeet!” Son & Heir prefers the Sam Adams (of the two; he really prefers Groelsch to either, and I agree its a pretty complex brew, a bit “dryer” than either of the wqheat beers).
Key for me: beer is not so much a drink as a food and it’s always best with a meal. As such, different beers complement (and are in turn complemented by) different foods, although a good steak or a nice sharp cheese (with some freshly baked bread) r even a home made, home baked pizza, are good with nearly any real beer (which leaves out most commercially brewed American “big brewery” beers).