How to know you've gone over to "The Frugal Side"

Sam's Club offers business members early hours -- including some coffee and some snacks. (Mom got a membership back when freelance writers still qualified. I'm her secondary on the account.)


Walking in to get some milk, I noticed they had still-green bananas instead of the usual donut holes. Wouldn't be good for another day or two. But on the way out, I grabbed one.


Walking out, I prided myself on grabbing a banana. Sure, it wouldn't be ready to eat today, but it was free food. Then, a sudden realization hit me: I could have had two bananas. I didn't ask Tim to grab one. I started mentally kicking myself.


About five seconds into a "Dumb, dumb, dumb!" rant in my head, I realized that I was castigating myself over something that sells for about 99 cents per pound.


That was when I realized: I am definitely losing my perspective... And yet, I was still irritated at the missed chance.


Very worrying.


Worse is that I would see the banana while walking into the kitchen to get some water or whatever. And I would think, "Oooo! Free banana!"


Yep. That's right. I'm excited to eat a banana.


I think the important part is just acceptance of this facet of my personality. And to stay away from monkeys.


What was your moment of realization? What is your favorite thing you've gotten for free?