The story is often told that Tom Monaghan, the Founder of Domino’s Pizza, once quipped, “We don’t sell pizza. We sell delivery. We offer time to families who are looking for it.”
To be fair, I can find only anecdotal evidence supporting that assertion. However, given the fact that Domino’s Pizza famously worked to shave seconds off its delivery times, the spirit of the quote probably rings true.
Domino’s Pizza, founded in 1960, became perfectly poised to sell a product to the American consumer they were willing to buy: convenience. With the sudden increase of dual-income families, people became more and more willing to pay for the easy dinner solution of a 30-minute pizza delivery. Indeed, within the first 15 years of franchising, the Domino’s Pizza chain had opened over 200 stores nationwide.
Of course, as the speed of our lives has continued to increase, so has the appeal of convenience.
Today, we can purchase household goods from any room in our home with the press of a button, receive shopping deliveries within 30 minutes, and pay for goods with just a tap on our watch.
From food and coffee to auto-care and healthcare, convenience is becoming increasingly, well, convenient. Convenience is no longer merely appreciated among the average consumer, it is demanded in almost every corner of our economy.
But at what expense have we pursued convenience? Consider some of these hidden costs:
Money. At the grocery store, the drive-thru, or the coffee counter, we pay a premium for convenience. In some cases, it costs just a little, but in other cases, convenience can be quite expensive. But convenience costs us in more places than the pocketbook.
Health. Not always, but often times, the purchase of convenience negatively impacts our health. Prepackaged foods are among the fastest-growing segments in grocery sales, with sales growing more than 60 percent in the past year. Unfortunately, many of these meals contain preservatives and contain as much as 57 percent of the recommended daily allowance for salt.
Quality. There are times, of course, when purchases made out of convenience result in a higher quality good or service. But this is not always the case. Starbuck’s coffee may be as good an example as any. Even among those who frequent Starbuck’s regularly, very few would argue they could not make better coffee at home. But what Starbuck’s does offer is convenience (and social status, but that’s for another conversation).
The Environment. From home electronics and kitchen appliances to pre-packaged foods and single-serve coffee pods, our quest for convenience has resulted in increased energy use in packaging and transportation and preparation. It has also resulted in increased waste at an almost alarming rate.
Intentionality. Many times, our mindless pursuit and consumption of all-things convenient robs us of opportunities for mindfulness and intentionality. For example, when I used to load the dishwasher merely out of convenience sake, I missed the opportunity for mindfulness in doing the dishes.
Perseverance. Often times, the greatest lessons we learn in life are born from inconvenience (or pain and suffering). In fact, numerous scientific studies have proven the same thing. But among a society where convenience and comfort are pursued above everything else, the opportunity to develop perseverance becomes less and less frequent.
Overconsumption. One of the reasons for the high levels of consumption in our society today is that goods have become increasingly cheaper to produce and purchase. But another reason for the high level of consumerism in our world is the ease of availability for these same items. When shopping becomes convenient, so does consumption. And with strip malls, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants on the corner of every major thoroughfare (not to mention, the availability of online shopping), we are constantly presented with convenient opportunities to buy more than we need.
I should be very clear on this: There are times when convenience is absolutely worth the price. One might even argue our entire system based on the division of labor was born out of convenience—it is easier for me to pay somebody to grow the food and sew the clothing and build the shelter than for me to do it all by myself.
However, if your lifestyle is being compromised in any of the areas above (i.e. finances, health, intentionality, or overconsumption), you might want to reevaluate what purchases you are making purely for the sake of convenience. Because maybe the cost has become too great.
Another way of saying this is we have ‘outsourced’ practically everything we could do on our own (grow and cook food, do dishes, do driving, go shopping in person, visit friends/relatives, etc etc) to corporate entities to ‘save time’.
Long term costs – indirect – of mindless pursuit of inconvenience (the outsourcing of our physical and mental labor) are:
1. Consolidation of corporate entities that drive out small businesses that are not able to deliver on time (e.g. brick and mortar book stores, cinemas, etc);
2. Rising employment (lots of the convenience we demand are increasingly being be delivered by AI-enabled or automated mechanisms);
3. Loss of privacy/personal data;
4. Rising inequality;
5. Loss of control over our lives – reduced to just earning and buying/consuming (not producing);
Where/when will this madness ever end?
I enjoy washing dishes with intentionality. I can only do it when time allows. When done via soaped-water-soaking, rinsing, drying method it saves, it brings these benefits:
a) ecological/financial – saves on water, gas, electric bills
b) therapeutic – if done at the right time or
c) thinking time – helps recapture what’s next on the to-do list
d) social – excuse to stay longer in the kitchen while chatting
e) intimate – one person cleans, the other one dries, great chats, plus, team spirit
f) continuity – tunes me up to keep the rest of the kitchen clean
g) gratifying – even when ephemeral, it gives an easy sense of completion
In all sincerity, I extract all these benefits since I have the option of a dishwasher, which I appreciate since it’s my 1st one in the last 3 households. Back in Manhattan, it was not a default feature in all apt$.
Joshua, I love your blog, found out about it via Facebook, here and there I repost to my Google+ http://bit.ly/Technoir or twitt links @TechGuerrero
Reader insight: I am not sure that I’ll need the email reminder since I actively pay attn to your Facebook reminders. I’m trying to minimize my email subscriptions. Even when I actively filter to folders, my inbox is a bit saturated with quality and quantity, though social media is my preferred attn. engagement.
The other cost I did not see mentioned was the cost to all of the billions of land animals alone who’s suffer horrible lives and deaths. Simplifying one’s life by adopting a plant based diet brings about a piece of mind and health I had not known before.
Animal suffering is the reason I have become vegan. I can’t justify contributing to the horrible suffering animals endure every day of their lives and death. They deserve to live a normal happy healthy life and to be treated with care, compassion, love and respect. We can learn a lot from animals about love and joy and living mindfully. I am so deeply sorry that I didn’t become a vegan when I was much younger. I agree that animals pay for our convenience.
Thank you Brenda. Vegan for life 🌱
Convenience definitely has a place, however the pervasiveness of convenience items (and their downsides) is symptomatic of the busy, busy, busy, more, more, more lifestyle that is the mainstream. If you are too ‘busy’ to cook a meal or do your dishes every single day, I feel you are doing too much and actually missing out on life.
I agree. Yes, there are times when my whole day is inundated with things. However, how I choose to be on most of my days is up to me.
Hurrah, that’s what I was looking for, what a data!
existing here at this weblog, thanks admin of this site.
I love this article. I am a firm believer in spending time cooking and feeling good about what I’m putting into my body rather than ordering take-out. While convenience is something we all value in this country, quality is much more important.
Sledmiston@mix.wvu.edu
This is a great reminder to slow down and be more intentional, even about the simple things. When I was growing up, we had a huge garden. (Or, at least it seemed huge when I was five years old.) I loved helping my mom and dad plant and pick the fruits and vegetables. On the weekends, aunts and uncles would pick raspberries and strawberries while all of us cousins played outside. While I appreciate the convenience of stopping to my local grocery store, how I so miss that garden! It was not just a source of healthy, nutritious food, it was a way for family and neighbors to connect with one another.
Hmm…These are all great thoughts, but I can’t imagine going without my dishwasher. I say often how thankful I am for it. I didn’t have one over the spring and summer because the old one died and boy was I happy to have one again. I am a Home school, work at home Mom to three children and I don’t know how I’d get everything done if I didn’t use a dishwasher.
Wonderful comments, everyone. Come for the blog post, stay for the comments. ;-}
Me too!!
This was a great read! I hadn’t thought about the numerous ways in which technology really manipulates us toward convenience. I am also very thankful for your linking the post from “The Simple Dollar.” This really brings consumerism down to earth.
I can totally see what you mean. We all are after convenience and ease, especially with our food. It is not good for anyone in the long run.
While I agree that our time is one of the most precious resources we possess, selling out all else that is meaningful and important in exchange just doesn’t justify the action. At some point a person has to realize that convenience is never a trade off for a quality life. Staying conscious and mindful is the only solution. Thanks for the reminder!
Joshua, it is funny how convenience determines how we will spend our money.
I credit Dominos for seeing that trend and banking on it. Some people do not worry about the product just how it is delivered.
What will be the next shiny item?
Convenience certainly is an interesting animal. Since I had to change my diet (many times) over the last 5 years for health reasons, there are very few processed foods I can eat. I’ve lost 13kg and become much healthier and energetic making all my meals truly from scratch. And I was amused recently to read an article about people frustratedly wasting time and even missing work waiting for deliveries of products they “conveniently” ordered online on Cyber Black Friday.
I always feel bad when I get 2 double cheese burgers from Mc Donalds for $2.14 out of convenience. First it’s Mc Donalds duh. Second I always get them to go. I get the burgers and immediately take them out of the paper bag and individual wrapping and discard it. The paper bag, wrapping and napkins are used for maybe 10 minutes before ending up on the trash heap. That has to be criminal on my part but I keep doing it out of convenience ;-(
I agree that it’s a bit alarming how much of our economy evolves extreme convenience. This has to have serious implications for our children as well. It’s all too convenient to give a kid a tablet too often and miss out on so much valuable relational time with them.
I agreed wholeheartedly!
Convenience can often cause us to miss out on opportunities to delve deeper into our relationships with people, as well. Though, I’m no stranger to sending a text message, I think often, especially in my generation, we choose to send messages back and forth while multitasking and not focusing on what’s being said, instead of calling or getting together with people to have a real conversation. Often, people choose to go out for coffee or dinner when getting together with a friend or family member, where it’s more difficult to have a conversation that doesn’t just skim the surface.. Maybe it’s not ‘convenient’ to invite someone over to have a dinner you’ve prepared for them and to clean up afterwards, but how much more special and memorable it may be rather than sitting in a coffee shop for an hour with 20 other people bustling about.
I lost my job last month, and since Im home I have been reconnecting with my kitchen. Years ago I made my own bread, mayonnaise, osso buco, soups, so many things. But then I joined the work force and lost touch with my home making skills. With the loss of income and a lot more time on my hands I am back in the kitchen and happy to have remembered how much joy can be found in simple home cooked fare.
What I loved most was your comment on intention, that convenience allows us to “check-out” and be less mindful. It allows us to live unconsciously, without forcing us to take time to be present and appreciate the simplicity, beauty and importance of daily tasks.
Our family has started a 100 Days of No Eating Out Challenge and we are amazed at some of the benefits this “lack of convenience” has brought to us. Managing our home at the end of the day has become more routine and smooth running–a lot less stressful than those nights when we picked the “easy option” of getting restaurant food.
Great post, Joshua. Sometimes it’s worth it to pay more. Paying less sometimes gives us less quality but paying more can give us more quality, which is often what we are looking for.
I agree that convenience leads to mindlessness, and pretty much everything you’ve listed (great post!), however there’s also some aspects of life where convenience is quite a blessing. For example, the convenience of having a supermarket (or a few) right near my house means I’m ultimately less wasteful. At this point in my life, living in a city, I don’t want to grow my own veggies – I will later – and instead of doing weekly shops where I found it difficult to avoid waste, I find the convenience of the nearby supermarket means that I only buy what I need, when I need it. We have very little in our cupboards sitting there as snacks etc, most of our food is meat, veggies and eggs in the fridge all fresh and ready for us to eat as we go. There’s obviously very many down sides to supermarkets as well, however sometimes at certain stages of your life convenient options can also have varying positive outcomes. Nice post, thanks for sharing!
In general, I agree. But sometimes the increased cost is worth it. Because of a love for Starbucks coffee (and I don’t mean sugary lattes), I have met and built a relationship with an amazing group of friends. Over the last 6 years we have journeyed through cancer diagnoses, death of loved ones, the joy of children & grandchildren, retirement, job change, moves, marriages & all the other events of life. We are from all walks of life & our paths would never have crossed if it weren’t for the convenience of purchasing coffee. Minimalism is about simplifying & enriching our lives – for me the cost of convenience in this case is priceless. A choice we all get to make!
I totally agree, Sue!
I love minimalism because it has allowed me freedom from chores and cleaning out my garage so I can meet friends at Starbucks!
i would like to explore this idea of friends at Starbucks because i spend some time in coffee shops and restaurants.
I find that in the long run (as a continual habit), there is no commitment or risk or fidelity in meeting at restaurants … only convenience. Also no intimacy. In the long run it is good if you are not looking for all the above. It is good if you are just looking to support-chat with friends.
How do we find support beyond chatting (verbally or in writing)? Perhaps the quality of friendship is different when we invite people to our homes and share something and have a significant conversation at home.
I have been trying to do this and I find that sharing my home is difficult … i want it to be “right” before people come over. somehow in my mind minimilist hospitatily is not right, so i have to do much more than make coffee to invite people over.
I mourn the fact that our culture has increasingly become one in pursuit of *faster-cheaper-more*– especially when I travel. There are pastry shops in Japan that have been run by one single family for hundreds of years, specializing in artisanal goods. There are handmade tile workshops in Morocco where apprenticeships still exist. Whether it’s the intentionality of growing and cooking our own food, or the dignity of work that requires years of training, we certainly stand to lose a lot when we prioritize convenience over everything else.
I’m minimalist in many aspects, and love reading this blog. But I’ve reached a point of being willing to pay for convenience. In my 20’s, 30’s and 40’s I worked full time and did most of the home maintenance chores. Weekends were all about the chore list, meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking to get ahead for the week to come, etc. I shunned all outside help in favor of doing everything myself. I then worked part time for a few years, helped out with my elderly father-in-law, and did even more of the cooking, cleaning, yard work, etc. Then I went back to work full time as my husband retired. He took over managing much of the household, learning to cook for the first time, etc. Now he is returning to work and we both hope to work full time for another couple of years. I don’t want to go back to the weekend being all about chores. So to free us up during this period, we are subscribing to e-meals to streamline meal planning, ordering groceries online for pickup at the store, and will likely hire someone to do the heavy cleaning at home. We will keep up with the yard work because it’s an excuse to be outdoors, which I love. These decisions are for convenience, yes. But they are more about keeping our time freed up for the things we really want to do, meeting our goals together, and not wearing ourselves out in the process.
Carol, I agree. Having been a Mom at home, raising a garden, canning, doing it “all” (with the help of 5 children whom I raised to be self sufficient), including home education, home businesses, helping my husband with his businesses, etc., I am READY for some convenience. I’d much rather have the dish washer going while I sit and relax, read, or do something else “self pampering”, than have to stand there at the sink one more time. Hasn’t happened yet but I’d rather have a housekeeper come in once a week to do all those household chores so I can do something else creative and, again, self pampering.
I used to tell people, who pined for a “simpler”life, they should try hand washing, hauling wood, cleaning w/out a vacuum, raising, butchering and preparing food, etc. . There was a REASON families, and most definitely women, were ready for some convenience. Maybe our society has gone too far…am sure it has…but minimalism must be about balance. Most of the minimalist guru blogs I read agree.
You summed it up – in the 1970s my grandma was a huge fan of orange convenience bread crumbs in a packet, and other such bizarre processed nightmares. But after 60 plus years of doing EVERYTHING by hand, why wouldn’t she go for a bit of convenience? I totally forgive her (but I do always make my own bread crumbs).
I agree, Carol!
I also agree with Lizzie!
I couldn’t do it…I’m too hands-on! Also, I’m way too frugal to pay someone for something I am fully capable of doing myself. That’s just me.
This put a lot of things in to perspective for me, thanks for sharing!
>> “But what Starbuck’s does offer is convenience (and social status, but that’s for another conversation).”
I postulate instead that they offer the perception of social status.
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Thank you for the continued inspiration.
I love Starbucks coffee and having coffee with people. People are more likely to meet at a Starbucks for coffee than meet at my house for coffee. Starbucks offers much more than convenience. It offers a meeting place where everyone can meet, order what they want, and leave when they are ready, and no one gets stuck doing the dishes! Also, the taste of the coffee at Starbucks is MUCH better than what I make at my house.
Not a fan. I find it way too strong.
Actually the flavored one I brew at home tastes much better (to me)—it comes in hazelnut, vanilla and mocha. A bonus…the cost for a whole pound which makes many pots of coffee…costs as much as one drink from Starbucks.
I have a little Black and Decker Brew ‘n Go that does not take pods. I have been using Costo fine roast decaff and it as good as the coffee shop. Really. And I LOVE good coffee.
I brew my own coffee at home using Starbucks coffee. When I meet people for coffee at Starbucks, I take my own coffee. I do buy A fancy drink I can’t make at home time to time. The sugar in that fancy drinks is dangerous to my health and I refrain from drinking a lot of the fancy drinks.
Great article! These are thoughts I have often, but have never been able to put them into words like you have. I was sure to share this post to my friends and family on Facebook!
Thanks for posting!
I was surprised at what stood out to me in this article. Usually I think of convenience as one way to simplify – why do something myself if someone else can do it for me?
But I recently have taken up artisan bread baking. It takes a lot more time than buying bread but since I began baking, I enjoy the feel of the dough, the smell of the bread in the iron-cast dutch oven, and the taste is like no bread I’ve ever eaten.
Someone else might eat my bread and say, “yeah, it’s ok”. But because of what I have invested in each batch, it becomes amazing to me. I’m going to add mindfulness to my minimalism mindset.
I bet your bread is fabulous! As someone who was lucky enough to have a mom who made her own bread I’ll take someones’ “okay” homemade bread over factory made bread every time! Full disclosure, she does use a bread machine now because she’s at an age where arthritis makes hand kneading difficult. Still, the recipes are always from scratch and so tasty. I was gifted a loaf of whole wheat bread with ricotta and walnuts for Christmas, it didn’t make it to the New Year!
One word, kuerig. Strongly dislike.
I use mine for instant hot water in my teacup w loose leaf zero waste tea. Screw the plastic coffee kcups!
I agree with you Joshua. We’ve all heard the saying, “time is money”…but convenience often comes at a high price…on so many levels.
I just wrote a post that is similar to your post but that “fast food” has taken away hospitality and having others in our homes for nutritious food and conversation. The coziness of home is missing in many people’s lives today.
http://lorialexander.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-coziness-of-home.html
Good point. These are all symptoms of our speed- and money-obsessed society. We drive home from work right into our garages and stay in our heated and air-conditioned homes; we never have to go outside and meet our neighbors.
There is nothing like a good evening with friends and food in the comfort of someone’s home.
So True! Our family is taking on a 100 Days of No Eating Out Challenge and we are really noticing some amazing things–like spending time together at home! http://www.marthamarthablog.com/100-days-of-no-eating-out-challenge/
It’s funny that you talk about losing the mindfulness of doing dishes by hand because of a dishwasher. Just this morning, I realized that often times, washing by hand is much quicker and easier than waiting for the dishwasher. My husband and I live in a one bedroom apartment and our dishwasher is soooo loud. Perhaps I should handwash more often and do it mindfully.
I read that it saves water to use the dishwasher so in drought struck California, that is what we do.
Years ago I quit using the dishwasher to see if I saved water. I did not. Someone else may but I would not automatically assume hand washing saves on you bill.
Great article. My husband and I still believe in preparing meals from whole foods as much as possible. Prepackaged fare may be convenient, but just can’t compare in taste. When I am feeling weak (read: lazy!), one glance at the ingredients list of prepackaged food cures me instantly. But since I cook a lot, I am keeping my dishwasher! :-)
Yes. The dishwasher stays in my house too. And so does my husband, who often loads it!
True that!
Very cogent. A previous boss of mine used to say “laziness wins out,” and it’s all too true, especially, ironically, when we’re constantly in a rush. But convenient doesn’t have to mean harmful! One of the most convenient inventions I’ve ever encountered allows me to prepare delicious and nutritious foods for my family with just a few minutes of work– the slow cooker.
It takes at most 20 minutes to wash and chop loads of fresh vegetables and throw them in with some pre-soaked beans or grains (with a couple of meaty bones for flavor and texture, if you’re so inclined) before starting work, and we have a hearty, healthy meal to warm is during winter.
Yes, it takes a bit more time in the supermarket to select and bag your own vegetables and look for budget cuts of meat than it does to just buy frozen meals, but even frozen vegetables will work and help keep you healthy at that. The slow cooker sees more use than any other article in my kitchen because it is so convenient.
Convenience packaging is usually what motivates me to walk away from a purchase. It’s 99 cents for 64 oz of soda or 1.89 for 20 oz. Or .99 for a 20 oz. water I can buy a case of (24) for $5.
I am reluctant to compromise intelligent budget choices for the sake of momentary convenience as it invariably leads to regret.
I love my dishwasher….did not have one the first 5 years of my adult life…won’t give it up….Busy mom’s have better things to do with their families than wash dishes, and the dishes are probably more sanitary,..(How many people used cloth diapers. That took time, but saved money, and I folded while listening to the radio…I listened to Christian radio while doing house work…I learned lessons that help me raise up great kids. Also, I love ordering necessities on line because it saves me from driving around searching for things, from one store to another…I know someone makes the delivery, but they use the best logistics. That means less cars and accidents on the roads. Also provides jobs.
I love my dishwasher….did not have one the first 5 years of my adult life…won’t give it up….Busy mom’s have better things to do with their families than wash dishes, and the dishes are probably more sanitary,..(How many people used cloth diapers. That took time, but saved money, and I folded while listening to the radio…I listened to Christian radio while doing house work…I learned lessons that help me raise up great kids.