I remember not long ago when houseplants used to be inexpensive. They came in disposable plastic containers — you could buy them for cheap and replant them in pots to replace others that had died. But then some retailing mastermind had the idea to sell the plants already potted, increasing the price from a few bucks to twenty.
The shift not only changed the financial equation but also altered the impact on time. The plastic container version requires supplies and effort to achieve the same end result. You may not think about it explicitly, but time is what you get for your additional $14, not just a pretty planter.
People pay a premium for time in many other situations such as pre-cut fruit and vegetables, curated gift baskets, outdoor planter “refills”, Lunchables, and craft kits — but often don’t think explicitly about what they are buying. If it comes ready-to-use, you paid more for that convenience. If you trade your money to buy time, use your purchase wisely.
