You've probably heard the personal finance advice, "skip the latte." This idea that saving money from lattes and investing it instead will make you rich over time.
Then there's the counter to that: "just buy the f***ing latte," which posits that the idea of forgoing the latte to catapult your wealth is patronizing advice that doesn't even really add up mathematically (given stock market returns and how much lattes actually cost). Rather, just buy the latte if it makes you feel good—why not?
And while I'm personally in the "just buy the f***ing latte" camp, I'd like to offer an additional take: buy the pan dulce. In this article I'll explore how buying pan dulce (or a special treat of your choosing) is an act of care and love.
Buy the Pan Dulce
Growing up, my dad would take me to the Mexican bakery (or pan dulce store as I called it) on Sundays . We would go early in the morning to get the freshest bread right out of the oven. There, I would help him make crucial decisions on which types of sweet bread to bring home for the fam. With tongs in hand, I helped scan the glass doors full of bread and think carefully about which one each member of my family liked—which type of specific bread (or cookie) was their fav. And while there are many varieties of pan dulce, my personal fav is and has always been the concha :)
So, once all selections were made, my dad and I would bring the bag full of fresh pan dulce back home for everyone to enjoy. I mean, what's better than enjoying your favorite Mexican sweet bread with loved ones?
And flash forward to now, many years later, I still find such satisfaction in getting a concha when the opportunity arises. This is self care and self love, IMO. It is safe and loving and delicious.
And when I can share the wealth, I do. My good friend recently had a baby and I signed up for the meal train after she gave birth. I would bring some food over to her and her fam (with two kids under age six) so she didn't have to think about what her meal(s) would be for a day. And when I was thinking of what I could bring her that expressed caring and love, I made sure to include a bag with a variety of pan dulce to go with the meal. We sat around the kitchen table, my friend and I and her kiddos, and we tried out the different types of bread. We talked about which one was their favorite and chatted and enjoyed. For me, seeing how excited the kids were to partake in this made my day (and hopefully theirs).
For me, buying the pan dulce is something that is both treat and love. Whether it is just for yourself or for others to share, I find it worth every penny. Because, sure, you could save the few bucks and invest it in the stock market and make some money instead. But what's the fun in that? When you could feel even richer by buying the pan dulce.
Perhaps you feel the same about pan dulce, or have a pan dulce equivalent; a treat that is meaningful and adds richness to your life. I'd say, buy it and enjoy. We all deserve some self love and care in our lives.