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While attending a recent wedding, something rare happened to me—an event so unique, I’d say it hasn’t occurred in at least thirty years.
My main task before the wedding, anticipating significant spending, was to transfer extra funds to my debit card. Understandably, or so I thought, I forgot. My wife, Suzie, disagreed with my assessment, suggesting I was simply a bit “daft.” The result of this oversight? I was extremely intentional with my spending throughout the three-day event.
I’ll readily admit this wasn’t a hardship; it was a wedding with ample free food and a reasonable amount of complimentary drinks. However, this experience prompted me to consider lifestyle creep around life’s smaller pleasures. I was surprised by how pleasant the house wines tasted. Was the wine I usually chose really worth twice the price? I genuinely don’t think so. And what about that tub of luxury ice cream—does it truly taste that much better? Then there’s the big one: artisan roast coffee. Would your taste buds really protest a downgrade?
So, what are your thoughts? Do you have any ideas or tips for the best “downgrades” for life’s little pleasures that actually work? Or maybe a downgrade that was a bit of a disaster?
And before you wonder, I didn’t have a credit card with me, possibly because I’m a bit daft!
Many of these stories reminded me of my, and many of my colleagues, frequent trips to the DC area for business. We tended to stay at the same hotel chain and were given access to the concierge lounges. When I started traveling, some of the old hands explained how to make breakfast, lunch , and dinner out of concierge offerings. Many of them had made friends with the staff and used that to get better offerings. I was disappointed to learn that many of them never tipped the staff in the lounge.
A nice concierge lounge was one of the perks my family was able to enjoy from my business travel.
I mainly buy wine in the $12 to $20 range, which tastes fine to me. Well, aside from good port – even 10 year tawny is sky high in my area. I should have moved to Portugal…
When I was traveling, if breakfast wasn’t included, I’d pick up yogurt and orange juice and fix my own, and I’d usually lunch on a sandwich or the local equivalent (bento box in Japan, for instance). Plus, I never stayed in international chain hotels – or posh local ones for that matter – B&Bs, guesthouses and pensions were much more relaxed and a good place to meet other travelers.
Kathy, I’ve become a port fan. Any recommendations for best value, high quality offerings?
I think $12 to $20 is good range for a decent wine.
Well, ideally, you would buy several bottles of a recent vintage, stash them in a cool, dark place and wait twenty years or so. I actually did that once, but it’s a bit late to do it again now. Vintage port from a wine merchant is seriously expensive, but I really like Taylor Fladgate’s Late Bottled Vintage. Otherwise a ten, or preferably twenty, year tawny from them or another of the big houses – Graham or Dow, for instance. Do not buy Costco’s Kirkland port or anything called “ruby” or “white”.
Of course, the best place to drink it is Portugal, where wine is (or was) extremely cheap. The “caves” across the river from Porto do tastings – eat lunch at Taylor Fladgate. The wonderful Port Wine Institute in Lisbon still seems to be closed, but there’s a version in Porto.