eat a 100 dollar meal

when was the last time you spent money on yourself without a pang of guilt? without calculating the per-unit cost? without wondering if there was a cheaper option?

if you can't remember, this post is for you.

the scarcity trap

financial responsibility is important. saving money is smart. but somewhere between frugality and neurosis, a lot of people lose the ability to enjoy spending money on anything.

every purchase becomes a negotiation with guilt. every indulgence is followed by regret. you're building wealth but you've forgotten what it's for.

you only live once. literally. this isn't a bumper sticker — it's a fact that should change how you relate to money.

the assignment

find the best restaurant in your area. not the best value restaurant. the best restaurant. the one with the chef who actually cares about what they're creating. the one where a meal costs $100 or more.

make a reservation. sit down. order your favorite things. don't look at the prices. eat slowly. taste everything. notice the difference between this meal and the ones you usually eat.

this isn't about being wasteful. it's about breaking the pattern of deprivation and reminding yourself that you are allowed to enjoy things.

what you'll discover

food at this level is different. not just in taste — in the care, creativity, and craft behind it. someone spent years perfecting that dish. the ingredients were chosen deliberately. the presentation matters.

you're not just eating. you're experiencing someone's art. and that experience has value beyond calories.

the bigger lesson

this isn't really about food. it's about your relationship with abundance. can you receive something wonderful without immediately feeling guilty? can you invest in an experience without needing it to be "practical"?

the goal of financial discipline isn't to die with the most money. it's to live well. occasionally — intentionally — spend extravagantly on something that delights you.

you've earned it. act like it.

if this resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it.