THat is the question isn't it. I was writing an article about this the other day. To some extent. My hot water heater here broke, at my own fault. I told my boyfriend no big deal we will buy a new one tomorrow. He looked at me, and said you want another one? Yes of course I do, I am not taking cold showers every day. He said ok.. come to find out when things break here they save for months to replace them. I just bought it that week. I think he purposefully made me wait "he forgot we needed on". It cost me 17 USD.

He would of went without for this, since it could be half a weeks worth of work for people here. Yet yes I am priviledged, I too will buy any foods I want.

How to mitigate this, i am not sure yet.. buy local? everything here is local. I have no idea the answer.