[morganm]

While growing up, my dad took me and my two sisters on a family vacation. At the beginning of the trip he handed us each $100 and told us we were free to spend the money as desired, but first we had to treat the family to a single meal.

I went first with a pizza lunch. When the waiter asked what we all wanted to drink, those $2 pops suddenly had a very real impact on my bottom line. Water would be fine for everyone!

My youngest sister opted for bagels the next morning, but it took a bit of convincing to get her to spring for cream cheese!

The other sister, being the sweetheart she is, sprang for a real meal and didn't give us too much grief.

Now we all look back and laugh at the experience, but it certainly had a very real impact in the value we place on a dollar.

[dalke]

As the story goes: I and a friend were walking down the street. A robber came up and demanded all of our money. I pulled $80 out my wallet, looked over to my friend and said, "oh, here's the $40 I owe you" while passing it over. The robber became so mad over this grave injustice, and demanded that my friend loan me back the $40 plus the rest of my friend's money. The robber then stole the lump sum from me. I now owe my friend $150!

In any case, I think you're missing part of the equation. Value isn't a stand-alone concept. It isn't "the value we place on a dollar" but in how much each of you values family meal time. Your youngest sister, at that time, placed a low value on it, compared to other possibilities that she could do with the money.