I have been biting my tounge for the last few months as I read about how outraged people in the States are about the rising price of gas and food. I understand that most people don't want to hear someone who gets to live in and travel through Europe complaining about anything, but I just can't take it anymore.

Here are just a few comparisons of what things cost in the States compared to what they cost in Brussels. (I found the US prices on the web and then converted Brussels prices to dollars):

A gallon of gas in the US -- $4.00
A galon of gas in Brussels -- $9.21

Pound of chicken in the US -- $5.25
Pound of chicken in Brussels -- $8.23

Gallon of milk in the US -- $3.78
Gallon of milk in Brussels -- $5.94

The reason I have lost my tolerance with hearing people complain about the rising costs is because it is all about choices. Kyle is paid in US dollars. With the current exchange rate that means that for every dollar he gets paid, it is only worth .64 cents to us in euros and yet everything here is much more expensive. I am not allowed to work here so we are only living off his income.

And somehow not only are we able to still live comfortably, but we put money into our savings account every month, we have no debt and we are still able to take wonderful vacations. And it is all because of the choices we have made.

--We don't eat out often. (I don't think people recognize that even grabbing some fast food during the week adds up in the end).

--We only have one car and it is not the top of the line, fully loaded newest release. In fact, it doesn't even have air conditioning or electric windows.

--We take public transportation often.

--I cook dinner almost every night and Kyle brings leftovers to work for lunch several times a week.

--I have cut back on buying meat and try to cook more vegetarian (thus lower cost) meals.

--We are content with the clothes in our closet and rarely go shopping.

A combination of American media and culture have brainwashed us into thinking that it is embarassing to cut back and be frugal. We feel that we deserve everything and should never have to say no to any of our hearts desires. Instead we are constantly told that we should buy whatever we want whenever we want and not feel bad about it because "we deserve it." The fact is that we don't deserve anything. We are incredibly lucky to live in a country that offers the most freedoms in the world. There are ample opportunities for education and work. We have more free time than ever before. We are all so fortunate and instead all many people do is complain about their lives and blame the government for everything (while sitting in front of their big screen TV with their Suburban in the driveway). It is time everyone started counting their blessings instead of counting all the things they don't have. It is the choices one makes about things, more than the economy that dictates a life.