I just spent seven bucks for a portrait package (pics of my son) – and I’m not going to even say from where. Because, quite frankly-I’m a bit embarrassed for shopping there. But, I don’t have a lots of cash and $7 seemed like a good deal.

I should’ve known when the photographer first showed me the photos on the computer screen that they would come out too dark. But she insisted that their “finishing touches” would make my son look “just adorable” in his little monkey costume. So I bought her schpeel, paid my 7 and waited a month to get my pictures.

Despite my previous skepticism—I was pretty excited to pick up the photos today. The smiling cashier handed me my envelope after making me wait about 20 minutes – so she could chat with co-workers. I opened them, frowned and got in the car to head for the grocery store. The pictures sucked and there was no way I was sharing them with my family.

In the long run – my $7 portrait package cost me about $12 in gas and at least 2 hours of stress. I just had to return the darn things. I wasn’t going to settle for sub-par quality. I had to fight with Customer Service because the cashier did not give me a receipt (as if I’d gotten the portraits at some other place called “Wal…).

I know I did the right thing by not just swallowing the money and hiding the pics in the drawer to give to relatives we don’t like that much.

We don’t have lots of money to waste. In fact – none of our money should be wasted. We need to be satisfied with our purchases, and purchase from places that sell quality. Always trust your gut when it comes to this. If a fancy restaurant makes your soup cold or their coffee burns your mouth – say something.

Don’t settle for stuff you don’t love because someone sold it to you for cheap. Every penny counts. And, when more of us demand excellence – there will be more excellence to choose from.