Vince

_{Our circumstances change how we look at things.}

^{By Vincent Nguyen | April 30, 2025 3:01pm PST}

Based on the title, you might be thinking that this is about the everyday unnatural ingredients in our processed and junk foods and how it affects our health, but in spite of that, this is more about my experience being a low income individual and how money has affected my perspective of food and why it’s a luxury to have it.

Like many, when I was still living with my parents, I didn’t really think of any expenses they made until I gotten older, especially noticing how much was spent on grocery.

In a way, many of our parents are (or were) essentially food delivery drivers that made our lives easier.

Now as an independent adult, I’m currently in a rough situation where I’m unemployed and having to deal with this petty little thing called job hunting, which is somewhat mentally draining as many know, but I’m hopeful it’s going to turn out okay.

Going through circumstances like this has made me realize that I don’t need to be making six figures to be enjoying life, but having just the right amount to stay worry-free is way more important, like around half $100K or even a little less than that would be more than enough ($40k-$60k CAD).

I’ve also realized that I now look at food expenses differently as compared to the past.

Eating out and ordering food is a luxurious expense, even if it’s just $5-$15 because you’re paying for convenience.

Even grocery shopping for healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, they add up that for some it might not be feasible to have anything left over for other staples.

It feels a little strange using the word luxurious in this context because luxury is often associated with the finer things in life, you know? Like having something that only the wealthy can afford, or being a part of something posh that only a few can experience.

Imagine having a car versus using public transit or a bicycle to get somewhere. The level of convenience getting from point A to point B for most destinations, and just having your own personal space within it is nice. You’re paying for a premium and luxury for a car.

The same somewhat applies when comparing food.

Eating out and ordering food versus cooking at home. Having your meals made without the time spent grocery shopping, prepping, cooking, and dish washing is that luxurious equivalent because it’s convenient — even if it means dining unhealthily at a fast food restaurant like McDonald’s.

To be able to make enough that I could eat out every single day, three times a day (if I wanted to), whenever I want to, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for the rest of my life, and have enough towards paying the bills and also an emergency fund or savings would be living the dream.

In other words, the definition of success for many people out there might be to get their dream jobs, own a nice car, and then eventually buy a home, but for me, it’s not having to worry about food insecurity anymore — like ever. And that’s why I’m never looking at food the same.

Gone are the days where I can just eat anything in the fridge that my parents bought and continue enjoying life. Even at my previous workplace, the kitchen cooks would occasionally offer me free meals, but I would always tell them that I felt guilty eating it and they’d never understand why with a confused look on their faces.

Eating expired food was quite the experience I had. You name it, I probably tried it. I tried different things to save money in order to get by. Rationing portions to last further into the week. Taking home food that was about to be thrown out at work. Having a few slices of bread and chips throughout the day. Skipping meals. Saving condiment packets and napkins from fast food restaurants. etc

At the end of the day, I’m very grateful to be able to put something in my stomach even if it’s unhealthy or not enough to make me feel full.

I don’t know if I’ll ever have to go through this ‘deprived’ situation again in my lifetime and having the overall dissatisfaction and uncertainty of what I might be eating on a daily basis.

What I do know for certain is that there are people who are going through worse situations in the world as food insecurity is no joke in many countries, and that I’ll never take for granted what I currently have.