The Wow Factor!

Years ago, I read the Tightwad Gazette and remember the "Wow Factor." It was when you were deciding to spend money whether it was going out to eat, go to a movie theater, or some other way, you needed to decide if it was worth the Wow Factor.

For instance, let's take eating out at a restaurant. My mom, sisters, daughters, daughters-in-law, and nieces {anyone who is in town and can make it} get together every couple of weeks. We just love being together talking about marriage and fun things. We share what is going on in our lives and learn from each other. We used to go to a restaurant in the late afternoon when they have early bird specials. It was fun, BUT we decided awhile ago to just go to one of our homes instead. 

We usually sit on the couches around the coffee table in front of the fire. Everyone brings food and we have a blast. We save money since we're not eating out. We don't have to worry about it getting too noisy to hear each other since it's just us. We know what's in the food and it's all healthy. It's warm and cozy and we stay A LOT longer than we did in the restaurant.

Therefore, the Wow Factor of having our get-togethers in a home far outweighs going to a restaurant. Going to a restaurant normally costs at least three times the money that you'd spend eating at home, so you should really only decide to go to the restaurant if you think it will be three times more fun than eating at home. It's not, in my opinion. I almost always enjoy home-cooked food and a homey atmosphere to any restaurant.

Do the same with movies. Do you enjoy going to the movie theater four times more than you enjoy watching a movie at home, since it cost probably four times more than watching it on your big screen at home, if you have one. I don't enjoy a theater that much more than home. The movie is usually way too loud for me, I can't stand most of the previews, and I'm more comfortable at home.

When you are deciding whether or not to spend money, try to figure out if the Wow Factor is worth it. Many times it is not. We can learn to be content at home, eating our own food, and watching our own televisions, especially if you have a lot of debt that needs to be paid off.

What was an evening at home like, one hundred years ago? A simple homemade dinner enjoyed by the entire family at the kitchen table, where stories were told, lives were shared, and everyone listened to each other intently. This was followed by adjournment to the living room for games or study or reading by the firelight, and then early to bed, for the candle had faded, and day had turned to night. {Miriam Lukken}

The key is to learn to be content. Be satisfied and thankful for what the Lord has blessed you with, especially eternal life with Him, our sins have all been paid for, and we're free to walk in victory! Be wise with your money and your time, for this pleases the Lord.

For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,

And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.
Psalms 107:9