Report From Europe #1: 1 Euro Changed My Life
Monday, July 6, 2009 17:27
This morning on my way to work I decided that coming off my European tour of Düsseldorf, Köln, Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp, it would be nice to stop and grab a coffee and croissant with my lady on the way to work. In Europe, stopping to do such a thing is not even such a well-developed thought. Nor is it wallet breaking. 1€ for this, 2€ for that. While tasting beers throughout Germany, I don’t think I ever paid over 2€ for a single beer. When was the last time you spent less than $10 for a drink? Back to this morning. Croissant, ka ching, small café latte, ka ching, small cappuccino, ka ching, orange juice, ka ching! A total of 4 items. $13.55. What?!!
At this point I began to think, I should have just stayed at home, made myself an authentic Italian espresso at home with my new Italian espresso machine gifted to me on my trip to Europe, and had a nice relaxing quiet coffee at home, rather than the $13.55 fiasco at your typical New York café, where the coffee is not as good, the atmosphere is full of nervous and anxious New Yorkers, and above all, I am charged extra for this mediocre experience.
Usually, I am asked to hand out financial advice to help people with their finances, but these days I am more inspired by cultural education as a means to help people advance their finances and up the style of their life. Like learning how to make an amazing authentic espresso with the simple and chic Italian stovetop espresso maker that is found in a typical Italian home (below). Just don’t forget the LavAzza espresso coffee. It’s the best, and it’s sexy. Illy is great too.
Save the money, spend the style.
