I read an article online yesterday about middle class families in the US turning to food pantries for help feeding their families. The article had a photo of the family standing in front of their kitchen cabinets with the doors open. The cabinets were sparsly filled, a few packets of macaroni, some salt, maybe a couple of cans of some unknown item. The mother of this family was very embarrased to have to resort to such methods in order to manage her families day to day food needs. It seems her husband was injured in a work related accident and they are now living off of disability. I felt for this family, but I cracked a smile because that is exactly how my kitchen cabinets look. I guess my kitchen resembles a needy family, too. My fridge has milk, eggs, cheese, bread, tomatoes and cucumbers...my kitchen cabinets have some macaroni packets, tuna, beans, and some oatmeal. I only cook meals with meat or chicken twice per week now. We eat a lot of pasta, beans, tuna and salad, and I never throw food away. We have really poor people in Egypt so I always give any leftovers to my bowab and he gives it to a poor person on the street. Food costs have risen to international prices in Egypt over the past few months. On an average, my husband and I spend at least 900 USD or more, depending on the month, for household expenses, and our home and car are paid for. For Egypt, this is a lot for two people. I have friends here, who have several maids, drivers, and kids and they are spending 3,000.00 USD on household expenses. That is not including their private school tuition, traveling abroad, and other similar expenses. The world is expensive now, and Egypt has not been spared. I am always looking for ways to cut expenses and save money, and I have no problem with my cupboards looking the way they do. I know that a lot of other families in Egypt and around the world are living with less. Reading that article made me feel sad for my fellow Americans who need to learn to live within their financial means and perhaps be happier with less. It is always good to check into reality.

Until next time,

A Woman of Egypt