'Four days of my life': TikTok user shares genius hack to curb spending

Depending on how you look at it, assessing the cost of goods by hourly wage is either a genius way to curb overspending – or a depressing reality of stagnant wage growth. 

Or, if you're TikTok user Reyvine Eugene Macala (@reyvineugenemacala) you can just see it as funny. In a recent video that attracted over 8000 views, Macala shared a tongue-in-cheek look at the cost of items and estimated the equivalent hours of work. 

"Wow, a touch screen toaster for only four days of my life," he began in deadpan style. 

Watch the video above.

"Oh wow, a coffee grinder. For only… a week and a half of my life." 

Macala continued, showing the price tags of arguably frivolous items and shares his purposefully outrageous estimates. 

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"Ah yes, a milk frother," he added. "For only five hours of my life." 

While a few commenters were quick to point out the inconsistent estimates – "Just bad math," Macala explained – many others jumped in to say that they actually utilise the hack.  

"I thought I was the only one that shopped like that," one user wrote. 

"I do this all the time!" said another. "With food especially. Who can afford to eat out anymore when it's going to cost you 4 hours of your life?" 

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One user said this is a "great way to measure the value of an item" but when they do it, only ice cream and alcohol turns out to be cost effective. 

"Hot Cheeto puffs and chocolate for me," Macala responded in solidarity.

Macala added the hashtag #retailworkersforbetterwages and #minimumwage, drawing attention to the difficulties low earners face in the US. But in Australia, where cost of living is continuing to increase, the video is relevant to us too. 

Laugh-so-you-don't-cry jokes aside, one user was encouraging. "I swear if people thought about spending this way they would be a lot more tight with their money."

Perhaps it's worth a go. These days, every little bit counts. 

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