How to Taste the Life of a Billionaire for under $70 per Month
In pastimes like watching the news or social media or reading a wide range of magazines, it's easy to become exposed and familiar to the ultra-rich lifestyle. Lives that include private jets, remote island vacations, mansions, attendance at fashion week in NYC, Paris, Milan, and award ceremonies - ceremonies where their outfits are made exclusively for them by the most famous designers in the world.
Although there are more billionaires than ever in America, the average American won't likely run into this class of wealth or take part in their lifestyle. Or can we? Is there a way to get a taste of the billionaire lifestyle without having a billionaire bank account?
The answer is yes. This is where billionaire Oprah Winfrey comes in and has given us a gift that can enrich all of our lives; I know she makes my life better by creating her famous "Oprah's Favorite Things" list. According to Wikipedia, the list started on the Oprah Winfrey Show back in 1990 and ran until 2008. The list is published in her magazine, O. A few years ago, I started paying particular attention to the list when I wanted to buy something special for a friend, relative or coworker.
On the lists (current and former), I almost always found a recommendation for chocolates, and I trusted that they would be some of the best the recipient of my gift had ever tasted. Because Oprah, a woman who doesn't have to worry about her monthly budget and can almost afford anything money can buy, chose those chocolates as a favorite of hers.
Over the past three years, and even more since the beginning of the pandemic when eating out wasn't always possible, my husband and I have spent time searching Oprah's current list and many from former years. Instead of a date night or dinner out, we will pick something from one of the published lists (always a food item) and order it as a special treat.
We have had Belgium waffles from Eastern Standard Provisions, a small batch of gourmet mustard from Wilder Condiments, a bouquet of salami from Olympia Provisions (Oprah's favorite), and the most recent treat - English Muffins that come with a jar of preserves from Model Bakery.
These purchases cost us under $70, and we haven't been disappointed by a single one. We have savored each one, and because each product came with more than one serving, we were able to have several meals, snacks, special occasions with each food item we tried. We almost always have something from one of Oprah's lists in the freezer or refrigerator.
We are currently working our way through the English muffins (the most flavorful I've ever tasted with a sourdough or buttermilk taste to them and they pair so well with the preserves). We are also working our way through the bouquet of salami. As a salami lover, I can tell you the flavors like Chorizo Rioja and Cacciatore are some of the most original aged meats I've tasted. I would regret it if I didn't mention jalapeno mustard. Did you know there was such a thing? The mustards we bought are perfect compliments to pretzels that we purchased, along with the Belgium waffles.
We may never ride in a private jet or get to go to the outskirts of space or take a trip to an island resort, but we can have a taste of what it's like to be a billionaire. And so far, it is affordable, fun and a tasty substitute for your old favorites.
Rebecca Chamaa is a freelance writer, workshop instructor, and graduate student at Columbia University. She calls sunny Southern California her home.
