The economy is a complicated topic that impacts each person in different ways. As we deal with these tough times, it’s important to keep talking about it. For example, small things like the rising cost of eggs; like 50-cent eggs when you order a huevo ranchero plate can add up. Some places charge extra for a drink if you don’t want ice as you are getting more soda in your drink and using a credit card often means paying a 3% fee. It might be better to pay in cash to avoid these extra costs. And when it comes to tipping waitstaff, giving cash can be a better option since they pay taxes on tips when they are making $2 an hour.
What are your experiences and thoughts on the current economic climate? Are you still eating out so frequently ? Let’s talk about it…
Kathleen Laverdiere: “I don’t believe they’re taking advantage of us. They’re simply not raising their prices on the menu itself because they’re incurring additional prices. I don’t have a problem with it.”
Haley Odom Catlett: “Did they get the memo that egg costs are down 50%?”
Ashley Kenjura: “I’ve never understood why people think no/less ice: more drink. I’m referring to a drink that calls for a specific recipe with exact measurements.”
Jamie Porteous: “I have no problems paying more if I’m getting what I asked for. I’m not one to ask for light ice in a cocktail, thinking I would get more alcohol. This is coffee tho. So if I ask for a venti cold brew with no ice, that cup should be full to the lid. It’s damn near 6$ and Starbucks can more than afford to fill my coffee to the brim.”
Alexis Burns: “I usually order a refresher with light ice and definitely noticed that I’ve been getting charged extra for it. I get light ice because there’s always way too much ice in it. I know baristas can’t do anything about store policy, but it definitely makes me not want to go back because I don’t want to pay a premium for a drink that’s literally half ice.”
Ram Dls: “I love the economy and eat out all the time.”
Jeff Hull: “It’s very difficult for me. Of course I’m on SSI and the SNAP program. I don’t really get to do much because things are way too expensive. I’m even missing Geoff Tate’s (Queensryche) show this Saturday. I’ve seen every show of his at the Aztec Theater. Especially since he owns some of my paintings. It bums me out. Food gets extremely tight right about this time of the month. Especially during long months like March. I’m barely gonna make it till the end of the month. So many like myself struggle and it’s getting harder. Hopefully Trump does not screw with social security, Medicaid or food stamps. Otherwise millions of us will be in trouble. Then of course you have those like the person who commented before me who created fake accounts because they think it’s funny but it’s not. The country is just around the corner from a recession. Many are in trouble.”
Kenneth Mumma: “I live for the weekend. Conserve during the week for the most part and live large during the weekend.”
Herb Rockman: “I am irritated by the idea of restaurants charging extra for no ice on tea or fountain drinks. They could certainly bear the “cost”, it’s just greed. Even in a to-go cup, their total cost is under a quarter or less, and they charge customers $3-5 for the drink. It’s the restaurant with the largest profit margin. Plus if you dine in, most places give you free refills anyway so what’s the point? But I also think it’s dumb for customers to ask for no ice, unless they have dental issues. Fountain drinks and tea are supposed to be diluted with ice, why would you want to drink syrupy warm liquid just to “get more”? I do understand credit card charges, I don’t feel a business should eat some profit just because a customer wants to use a card. However, I think it’s better for them to raise all the prices to cover credit card service charges, but then offer a discount for cash paying customers, I am seeing more businesses going this route lately. Lastly, some additional charges on your restaurant bills border on fraud, always check your itemized receipt first!”
Rick Carter: “Become your own bank with Secured Notes to receive a high interest and guaranteed principal. My partner and I are receiving 88% APR on factoring & 8% on Secured Notes. On about $30,000 we are generating about $11,000 in interest.”
Ron Travieso: “Working for the weekend.”
Veronica Amaro: “I no longer think, “I can’t afford that.” My mentality is, “How am I going to afford that?” and look for ways to create another stream of income. My money spent helps someone else. It circulates in this economy. Whether it’s local or not, I’m helping someone. If I buy from the local restaurant or store, I’m helping a small business and their employees. If I buy from large businesses and chain restaurants, I’m still helping those of us working there. If we stop buying and producing no one wins. Economics 101.”
Elizabeth Escareno-Collazo: “Thank you for sharing!”
Sylvie Goldin: “It’s actually illegal for them to do that if it’s not written on the menu, you can literally cross that off on your bill takeoff that $.50 pay the amount you wanted to pay with a tip but you can eliminate that surcharge
Eric T Lewis: “The price of eggs has gone down but waffle houses are still charging extra for eggs, crazy but true.”
Elia Rubinstein: “Bird flu in this part of the country. Full flocks had to be put down. This affects the price of eggs.”
Susan Klintworth Van Vleet: “Guessing they didn’t want to increase the price of the meal so when egg prices drop, they can take off the extra charge.”
Jeremy Dean-Watson: “It’s just so crazy to me that people that work at these fast food restaurants and the like take their job so serious like it’s costing them money to give you 2 sauces for your nuggets or like if you ask for 4 ketchup packages they act like they’re taking that out of your paycheck. That’s how they act. It’s just crazy these large companies do not care about their employees one bit, but yet the employees bend over backwards for these large companies. I just don’t get it! Support small businesses.”
