We, as Americans, tend to view the word bargain through the somewhat myopic lens of money – as in: Is the monetary cost of this item or service inexpensive or less expensive enough to make it worthwhile? I have learned that the cost of something has many variables other than the monetary value, not the least of which are: time, usage, self esteem, and purpose. If I spend an hour driving to a salon that has a service that costs less than my local salon – have I received a bargain? Or have I spent two hours driving to a see a stylist whose service is less than, or equivalent to, the one I use? Is the new person worth the additional time constraint, car mileage, and gas cost? Is the blouse that costs $13.99 that I wear once, a bargain, compared to the one that costs $99.99 that I wear all the time? The answer is rhetorical, as the point isn’t solely about the money spent, but about the time taken away from something else and whether there are variables within the situation that make it particularly valuable to you. Our conclusions tend to be personal (although I’m sure there are objective constructs within which to view ‘value’) because items and services matter differently to each of us. How important is the type of clothing you wear, your haircut and color, the car you drive? What we appreciate and why is an investigation worth our inquiry. Where did we get the ideas and belief systems we live with? Do they still serve us? This examination works for matters beyond the material as well, like how we communicate with others and whether or not that form of communication is in everyone’s best interest, or our work habits, or the way in which we take care of our minds and bodies. My Mom liked simple, healthy living and my Dad liked adventure and pretty things. I like both, and my lifestyle encompasses both. My parents added a wonderful mix of value (along with all kinds of other stuff) to my life. The longer I am without them, the more I appreciate and miss these intricacies. Which makes me want to communication clearly with the people who are important to me – I love you!!!