I was listening to a webinar this weekend and the topic of cost vs value came up. The speaker was discussing whether we gravitate towards something being lower in cost, or do we perceive the value in something to be more, if the cost is higher and therefore worth it? It got me thinking... Yes, I do love a great bargain; however, in terms of what I'm willing to sacrifice to get it... that's a different story.
If we think in terms of services like business relationships with a partner, a coach, an advisor... Do we expect them to offer us low rates because it's what works for us? Or do we understand the value in what they offer and how their fees are tied to their years of education, time invested in continuing education, money spent on their business, etc. When you look at it this way, the perceived value is greater because you are paying for what they are worth rather than just the cost of doing business with them. So to press on my guiding question... If the cost is cheap, what's the value?
Let me push into consumer goods... When you hear that it's important to purchase some produce organic only - think the Dirty Dozen - https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php), does the idea of spending more on organic produce send chills up your spine? Do you find yourself thinking, "Those organic options are just too expensive?" Do you believe that you are getting a better value by buying produce in bulk and not worrying about where it came from, how it's treated because you are saving money? I ask you to consider this... What's the value? What's the cost? If the cost is cheap... the value may be too.
I'll break it down a bit and push into your health... If you eat certain produce that is not organic, you are increasing your intake of harmful chemicals (insecticides, rodenticides, herbicides, fungicides, antimicrobials) that lead to many of the chronic diseases we see today, like obesity, cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In addition to increasing your odds of disease, you are likely to harbor an excess of these toxins in your body which increases your inflammatory load and exacerbate any other medical conditions you may have. In terms of body fat, that is where the toxins are stored. Now you are unable to release these toxins, release the weight, and you are adding insult to injury with regard to your health.
As a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach and Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor, I ask you to fully consider our guiding question in terms of our health and the above example with organic vs. non-organic produce... Which is better? Low cost, non-organic = poor health outcomes or higher cost, organic = better health outcomes? Still not convinced eating organic is the way to go?
Let's look at the numbers...
88 million adults in the U.S. - more than 1 in 3 - were living with prediabetes in 2018; 84% did not know they had it - Could you be one? -Healthline
The annual cost of controlling diabetes for the typical insulin patient with insurance is $4,822. -GoodRx
By 2035, more than 130 million adults, or 45.1% of the U.S. population are projected to have some form of heart disease. Total medical costs projected to reach $748.7 billion and indirect costs estimated to reach $386 billion. -American Heart Association
The average expense per adult with any type of heart disease $5,216. -Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Cancer risk can be reduced by 25% eating organic. -HealthCareers
For more on Organic Food Facts Worldwide, visit https://healthcareers.co/organic-food-statistics/.
Back to our question... Which is better?
When weighing out your options with regard to cost vs value, it's important to dive deeper and discover for yourself
What is packed into that cost?
What is the risk of going cheaper?
What is the benefit of paying more?
I think it boils down to this - What is the VALUE of the COST? In other words, are you sacrificing value (experience, knowledge, relationship, health) in an effort to get low cost? If so, are you truly saving money in the long run if your experience is less than grand, your lessons learned are modest at best, your health is compromised, you end up sick and spending oodles of money on healthcare? At what cost...
If you are struggling to take control of your health, looking to make changes and clean up your diet, in need of adopting a healthier, more organic lifestyle due to current poor or deteriorating health conditions and you are not sure how to do it or where to start... Book a complimentary 30 minute consultation and let's see how Health and Wellness Coaching could impact your life for the better!
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