Sunday 30 August 2009

Ask The Tight Fist: Splurging on Sushi


Just One Piece, Just One Paycheck

Dear The Tight Fist,

The recent comment by Anonymous on your "Group Dinners" column talked about tapas, stating "Also, it seems like the Tight Fist should take a stand against tapas, if he hasn't already. Now that's a good way to empty your wallet while staying hungry!"

This made me think of delicious, delicious sushi. No matter how much I eat, I'm always hungry afterward, and my wallet is left empty! How do I reconcile my desire for this awesome-tasting dining choice without breaking the bank? Does this fall into the category of stuff that truly is worth it, even if it is a bit expensive, and hence one of the ultimate reasons for tight-fisting in the first place?

Keep in mind that the The TightFist once treated yours truly to the most expensive sushi dinner he's ever had...

Nat


Dear Nat,

Come on, don't be such a cheapskate! Feel free to treat yourself to delicious, expensive, unfilling delicacies like tapas and sushi whenver you'd like. I mean, you only live once. Who needs to be full? Spoil yourself!

There you go Nat, is that what you were hoping to hear? What's next, do you want my encouragement that it's ok to splurge on 50-yr old scotch? Or would you like my advice on the best bling to put in your new grill?

Have you been ignoring my advice all these months? Because if you had been listening, you'd know that this crap doesn't fly. The following quote pretty much sums it up: "No matter how much I eat, I'm always hungry afterward, and my wallet is empty." Look Nat, next time you feel like being hungry after dinner, why don't you just skip the part where you blow your paycheck? Last time I checked, starving yourself is still usually free. And if you're really desperate to part with some cash, you can always contribute to the worthy Tight Fist Foundation. (Donations accepted via PayPal at thetightfist@googlemail.com.) Moral of the story: eating is supposed to make you full, and any eating style that doesn't accomplish this basic task needs to get dumped from the routine.

And for those of you who are thinking, "But I love sushi, and I can afford it," THEN WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING AT THIS BLOG? You are obviously either too rich or too dense for frugality lessons.

Desperate To Get Full Off Of Sushi,
Big Jonny Had To Sell A Kidney

But ok buddy, I'm not going to leave you hanging. The obvious answer, which has of course already been covered before, is just to make the sushi yourself. While I know sushi is probably a bit different than what you'd normally cook, let's be honest here: it is just a piece of raw fish plopped on some rice. I'm pretty sure you can handle that. Sure you have to buy expensive sushi-grade fish, but overall it's going to be way cheaper than a restaurant (and you may even stand a chance of getting full.)

But my personal strategy for enjoying sushi? Get someone else to pay for it! Yes, every now and then we all get the opportunity to have a nice meal on someone else's dime. Think business expense accounts, someone owing you a meal, parents taking you out, etc. Every time one of these opportunities comes up I have one thought: delicious, delicious sushi.

So Nat, you made a smart move opting for sushi when some poor sap (me) owed you a nice meal. But aside from that, steer clear.

---------------------------
Have problems with frugality? Ask The Tight Fist at thetightfist@googlemail.com. Don't be shy.

6 comments:

  1. But you're missing the marvel that is the "all you can eat sushi buffet". Price and quality may vary by location, but fullness is guaranteed. And I will personally vouch for the reasonableness of at least one place in Evanston.

    Dave

    ReplyDelete
  2. How much does this place in Evanston cost?

    ReplyDelete
  3. All you can eat sushi rarely involves fish. Its more likely All-You-Can-Eat cucumber and cream cheese with rice.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Psssssttttt, Stein! My friend works at Yo Sushi, County Hall, Waterloo. All you can eat sushi (plus if you're lucky, takeaway sushi boxes worth £10) for under £5!

    How it works is she clears the dishes as you eat then the manager comes and carelessly neglects to count your plates correctly then you pay 50% of whatever has actually made it onto the bill.

    Let's gooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tammi, you should really be keeping stuff like this on the DL. Remember, anyone can read the internet.

    ReplyDelete