The Price

Since the day I accepted my new job, I have not set foot inside Walmart.

I’m shopping at grocery stores where instead of having to dig through a stack of tomatoes to find the one with the fewest yellow spots and lumps, I can basically take my pick without much extra deliberation.  Not only that, but the guy restocking the avocados right next to me will refrain from rolling his eyes and instead will smile, ask how my night has been, and offer any assistance he may be able to offer.

I can get behind this.

Before, I was part of a vicious circle.  I wasn’t getting paid what my time was worth and therefore couldn’t afford to pay for much at all, much less what any of it was worth.  You go to Walmart and you can pay a dollar for something you’d most likely pay five for elsewhere.  Of course, part of you is thinking, “Yes! Look at all the money I’m saving!” or at very least, “Good, I’ll be able to eat AND pay my rent this month!” but soon enough you realize that the reason you’re not being paid enough is because other people aren’t paying enough for the products and services they purchase and it creates positions like the one you’re currently in.  Who’s paying that extra four dollars?  Probably that girl at the cash register who should be making at least that much more an hour.

This isn’t just about me.  It’s really not much about me at all.  I’ve had it good, I’ve been lucky, and I still consider myself incredibly lucky.  And blessed.  But there are people out there who have it much worse than I do and have a much smaller chance of pulling themselves out of that cycle.

I can only do what I can do.  I might now be a full time salaried employee, but I am by no means rich.  I’m still going to have to cut corners, buy store brands, make as few trips here and there as possible.  But I’ve got more flexibility now and I have to say, if I never have to look at another Walmart ever again, I’ll be happy.

Let’s break the cycle.

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