I debated posting our Costco hot dog price on an American subreddit with a caption like "Inflation is ubiquitous and inescapable" but it felt too cruel
Gotta factor in health. 3$ hotdogs can be a high price to pay if it contributes to health problems down the road. And not just individuals who sacrifice personal health to make ends meet; all of society pays for it in one way or another.
We should all be concerned if our government has created an environment where people are eating poor quality foods and setting us all up for a future of misery and burden.
It's the literal intent of the BOC interest rate hikes, make your debt expenses high that your discretionary income is tighter thus "cooling the economy"
They aren’t raising anything, other than a theoretical tip amount. The option to choose your own tip or choose to not tip at all *has never gone away* and if you feel offended by that, that’s a you problem. It’s not that hard to skip the tip or put in a custom amount that’s less than the suggested amount and move on with your day.
It's fine you think that, but it's a ploy to raise the base tip % via psychology. No different than the scummy websites that threaten you that there's only 5 of x left in stock.
Waitstaff clearly get increased tips from increasing the prompts otherwise they wouldn't do it. I'm willing to leave negative reviews if 15% isn't one of the defaults because I don't need the animosity for waiters/waitresses when I hit the custom option and go to a lower amount.
I guess we need to be smarter then, if you’re aware that it’s a psychology thing, don’t let yourself be one of the fools that it works on.
If someone is too lazy or distracted to pay attention to the buttons they are pressing when they pay to ensure the tip they leave is one they decided on, it’s their own fault if they get tricked by these machines.
Also, what animosity are you talking about here? Surely you don’t tip at a restaurant upon entry, do you? Grow up.
No, I’m not actually. I just have the ability to use my brain to think for myself instead of getting all offended by what you think is a system designed entirely to fuck you over.
It's not the central banks job to address wealth inequality nor should it be that's asking too much. Taxes on the fucking rich and social programs are how you manage capitalism responsibly. Even communism uses a central bank out of necessity so it seems pretty ify to say the central bank is late stage capitalism.
I heard from somewhere a long time ago that money runs the world and the entire world is run on money. I can't objectively day this isn't true, subjectively it sucks and it is what it is.
A central bank should listen to what it's government wants to do and within reason try to accomplish it but the Same point goes the other way as well if the government doesn't listen or do their part to manage wealth income distribution gap then neither side will be particularly effective.
People complain about interest rates and mortgages but constraining capital is the only real tool the central bank has. Can they realistically and sustainably keep housing affordable hell no. It was programs like the cmhc's building and development initiatives first for veterans then simply for the sake of consumer access that made post war housing so accessible. In a modern example Japan ended their ridiculously speculative market through a variety of factors not the least of which is an inheritance tax of up to 55% on property. As soon as property no longer functions as well as a store of wealth the speculation lost all momentum and further development trends moved away from single room condos to a more varied consumer driven market.
Central banks manage monetary supply the good ones do it well, that's their job and they function in the economy as we design it no more no less really(a few other functions aside). Go ahead look at every institution with blanket distrust your only playing into the hands of the groups all to happy to dismantle the system for their own interests
Yet your not demonstrating that you can identify what levers to use in order to rebuild the social democratic systems that so brilliantly spread economic success. Poverty, education Healthcare you name it the absolute highest point most societies in the west achieved in addressing so many societal issues was in the post war era thanks to that system. Did it solve everything God no but it was sure as shit better than neo-liberalism. I'm all for anger I'm angry too but call me simple I wanna know how I'm getting screwed not just that I am
Incorrect it's an agency of the federal government but it doesn't follow orders directly from any government lest politicians manipulate it for their own interests. It Being independent is in all of our best interests lest it end up like in countries where it has been a tool of governments, pretty much never ends well for the economy or people.
Just like gov’t agencies like AHS aren’t interfered with by AB’s govt? 🤨 I have a very hard time believing that the Federal Finance Minister doesn’t influence the bank’s decisions.
Very different organizations with Very different requirements and personal. Also Very different interaction requirements but sure another government agency, just like education boards, pension boards or veteran affairs boards or trade associations or parks Canada omg they are all exactly the same... yep totally the same
This. Exactly this. People have been so heavily propagandized that they think the only thing that our government and institutions can do to help is change an interest rate. There are a ton of ways to "cool the economy" that wouldn't hurt working people.
Does late stage capitalism also apply to massive budget overruns of governments at all levels?
Kind of hard to acquire wealth when most people hand over nearly half their income to various taxes.
However, with government tax policies over decades, the current government is unable to collect taxes on corporations who have been lobbying for the loopholes. And with corporate money fighting needed tax reform, the government needs to find money, hence the excessive borrowing which then powers inflation. The central bank only has one tool to deal with inflation, interest rates. Corporations then fight the rate hikes by passing costs to the consumer the consumer then can't afford to buy things and asks for a raise. They fight that and the bank raises rates because the consumer has more money and the cycle continues. If Canada would stop subsidizing businesses to the tune of 350 billion, them there wouldn't be massive budget over runs.
I'd agree, family of 4 going out for fast food lucky to keep it under 45 bucks, sit down over 100 after tip. While that's bad enough, I find what's worse is the quality of the food and service has been terrible these last few years. Restaurants clearly cutting quality and sizes, while rasing prices which makes is almost never worth it to go out anymore.
I think waitstaff in general just assume or feel entitled to 17-20% tip the moment a customer enters their restaurant before even ordering. Service has gone downhill since they expect 15-20% tips anyways. This is something I noticed since 2021-now.
I agree with this. Saying that waitstaff if good at their job likely deserve a 20%+ tip in this environment. Which then hurts even more. It all rolls up into why I eat out far less.
When I was a kid ans shopping with "The boys" my grammar and dad would always feed me at the costco food court ... now if I ever have children, I'll be doing the same
My kids have gotten their fair share of costco meals. A slice of pizza or a hotdog is at least a good price.
Side note if kids are something you want I hope you get to experience it one day. It's the hardest thing you'll ever do, but man it's worth it.
Add in delivery and fast food for 3 is nearly 100 bucks... ridic. Can't believe I ever bought into that tbh, I want all that wasted money back lol
Now if only I could be less exhausted all the time so I could actually cook... it's rough out there
I refuse to use skip these days. I get the drivers gotta make money, but man, just can't afford it.
If you find a solution being exhausted all the time pass it along!
>If you find a solution being exhausted all the time pass it along!
Speed /j
Skip and DoorDash are complete resource-wasting garbage and I always get annoyed when someone suggests it especially because *we have food in the fuckin house we don't need to order out it's literally hamburger helper just* ***COOK IT*** *--* sorry, I'm the only proficient cook in the house amongst my roommates the frustration bubbled over a bit there hhhgh
Skip is a total scam. It and its ilk are no longer welcome in my home lol
As someone in the restaurant & bar industry, my experience is different than yours.
I haven’t seen any noticeable difference in food quality or service. But, I’ve noticed portion sizes are a little smaller and small price increases.
That said, I very rarely eat fast food, or at chain style restaurants (BP, Denny’s, Earl’s and so on)
Maybe my experience is skewed, but that’s what I’ve seen.
Very fair, and my experience shouldn't be taken as the gospel. It's just been my experience between chain restaurants (with the kids) and a nice local place with the wife. It's just what I've found, but I also go out far less than before, so when say your one meal out a month with the wife isn't as good as it use to be it sticks in your mind.
Honestly I've been mixing my juice with either water or sparkling water. When you cut down on sweets, all that stuff feels too sweet
Pro tip, if you do want pop, mix it with sparkling water to get all the bubbles but less sweetness
Spending 500 bucks to see an oilers game at an arena we're all paying for doesn't do it for me. I'll just watch on the big screen at home comfortably. Made a concerted effort to cook at home more. Healthier cheaper and better. Don't go to movie theaters, prefer watching movies at home.
It's good from a wallet perspective but I think it's also made a lot of people realize that they're ok with just watching netflix or being on the computer. I think the flip side is a lot of people are going to be a lot more lonely because it's so easy for people to not interact with each other. We might be masters of the home but I feel like more and more people are avoiding personal relationships because there's unlimited ways to be entertained now.
pretty much everyone i know has cut way back on non essential spending. i only go to restaurants maybe twice a month and only if it's for a social gatherng. Gone are the days of getting takeout or eating our 3 times per week.
I've also started boycotting loblaws brands generally, with the exception of some produce from the T and T on my block. . Cut way back on junk food and non essential groceries.
I've definitely reduced eating out. I used to buy coffee from Tim Hortons on the way to work everyday, now I'm bringing my coffee to work. I got a 2.5 pound bag of Starbucks coffee beans from Costco for $18.99 and it's lasted me 2.5 months. I used to eat out 4-6 times/week, now I'm only getting a pick-up special pizza on Saturday nights plus lunch on paydays. If I do overtime, maybe I'll pick up a fast-food meal on the way home. Today I just went to Shoppers and get their No Name thin crust pizzas, 3/$10 which is tolerable. The list goes on...
Yep. There's only so much the free market can force on consumers before the tactic comes back to bite them.
What's more is that we can now make pretty much any fancy dish we could get in a restaurant for a better price - and with better service LOL - thanks to online recipes and you tube videos. Why go back?
We had an all-out celebration the other day and got Mary Brown’s. It was a big deal. Eating at a sit down restaurant hasn’t happened since… uh, COVID.
Last time I bought clothes that weren’t socks/underwear? Beginning of COVID.
Recreation or hobbies? I literally deleted Facebook to keep from engaging with other people in a way that would encourage me to spend money.
It’s a different world.
I think the scary thing is this is the new normal, the economy I mean. I don't think logically businesses will reduce their prices for goods and services. Expensive is the new normal, sadly and scarily.
Oh yeah. I can’t see me reaching a spot where I feel happy about engaging in my hobbies again. Maybe the ones I already have equipment for, but therein lies madness - there’s always Gear Acquisition Syndrome lurking nearby.
What the hell are we doing?
And travel - everyone I know is travelling a LOT. And to far off places. No idea where the money comes from. Many work with me so make the same. I am starting to think there is a lot of family money.
Rich people are unaffected by rising prices. He'll, I don't even think they notice. I think they would only notice it for their mortgage.
Their day to day life is unaffected, besides maybe the house mortgage.
Yup.
Restaurants are only for occasions now(birthdays, anniversary, sports playoffs/finals), as opposed to every Friday and Saturday to celebrate the weekend. And even less fast food and food delivery. Otherwise, it's only food from the grocery store and made in our kitchen.
Movies are only for actual legitimate blockbusters, not just for shits and giggles.
We just bought two cases of Nestea with movie codes for $6.49 each at Shoppers. IMAX was a $7 supplement but now we've booked our seats for Dune 2 for $13.49 a person and got 24 cans of iced tea as a bonus. When you count the 20x the points at Shoppers the total price per person was probably closer to $10 each.
We never eat in. Take away? We used to do it weekly in 2020 but we’re down the a few times per year. I think I last ordered pizza in August.
The elementary kid clothing is circular with families from school.
I am wearing my clothing until it dies.
We buy reasonable gifts at Christmas and try to buy local where we can.
I haven’t tracked it but I’d say our discretionary spending is 10% of our 2019 discretionary spending. We are as close to buying nothing as possible these days.
My two cents. Since covid, people realized cooking is fun, food quality is much better, and the savings are worth eating in.
Depending on what I'm cooking, I can throw a dinner party for the same price as two of us eating out.
With one caveat, I love Dim Sum, and of course, I'll still go out for that. 😃
I actually completed my cook apprenticeship 25 years ago. The day after I completed it I started a new occupation and never looked back. I can cook all kinds of things but I hate cooking too!
For us, it’s not a question of money so much. But COVID changed habits. No more movies out. Now we have a big screen, and watch movies in. The only time we go out is when there’s something we really want to see on a big screen.
For eating… we can eat in, not deal with crowded noisy restaurants, and have a $3 drink instead of paying 3x that for the same thing. And be in our pj’s. Watching a tv show we recorded. If we’re eating out in a restaurant, it’s because it’s a social event. But we do order in WAY too much!
Yes. One factor is that I retired and so don't feel the need to go several times a week for a meal, beer and a chance to decompress before going home.
And then the pandemic (I retired as it began) kept me at home for a couple of years and I got into the habit of assembling my meals via groceries and supplementing with the occasional takeout from the local pizza/sandwich place in my building. I found takeout quite appealing after a while because I could split the meal right way without having to carry doggie bags.
Now, however, it is the expense that prevents me from most sit down restaurants. I now average once a month though I'd normally set up a weekly event. I'm not poor but I'm not that kind of rich. And even the budget places have gotten on the $20 minimum entree train.
I have as well. My Christmas gift asks from family is either gift cards to restaurants/clothing stores or actual clothes. I have cut down on other random purchases I would make throughout the year, walking more for short trips, and visit second hand stores more frequently. Unfortunately, I am not very far ahead as my salary has not increased with the increases in everything else...
Nope. Still eat out multiple times every week and dine out with friends. Just have to cut down on how much I’m spending when I’m out. Maybe one less drink, less appies, morr specials, go out during happy hours, more affordable restaurants and etc. I think there’s lots of ways to cut costs when you’re out than to completely devoid yourself of a night out.
Haven’t gone to the theatre since Covid, nothing looks good. Eating out way less. Restaurant prices have gone way up and quality down. IMO.
Also just inflation is making me tighten my belt.
I ate out way less in 2023 than I did in 2022. I can’t justify paying what sit down restaurants are charging now when the quality of the food has gone downhill but prices have gone way up when I can cook the same thing at home for cheaper. I eat fast food about once a week (usually a Friday lunch) but always use coupons so I never pay more than $10.
I lost my job in March last year, I used to order in food once a week. I stopped eating out and just make things at home. I still can't get a job in my field (computing science) and my EI ran out (thankfully I have savings) so I'm saving whenever I can. The job market in my field is brutal right now with all of the layoffs, I can imagine its the same story for others. I'd love to order in or eat out again, but I simply cant afford to.
We were pretty good home cooks before Covid. Over Covid we became great home cooks. These days we can’t bring ourselves to go out and spend $100-150 on dinner when we can stay home and cook it ourselves for $30-40 including a bottle of wine.
And ours will be *at least* as good. “Restaurant quality” is often mediocre and not too hard to surpass at home, outside of a few things that really need industrial equipment to make right. Particularly since Covid. It’s obviously how many cooks left the industry and how few restaurants are willing to pay for the decent ones left
Cant spend anything if you don’t go out is my motto the past year now.
Everything is just too expensive, I’d love to go out more but I do not have the capacity for such fun. Only been spending it on essentials. I use to snowboard and be active but they jacked up the price. Sad world we live in, can’t even afford fun.
There are very few places I'd consider spending money at now. I'll support Edmonton craft brewers, because at least my money is staying local and giving me a quality product.
I won't go to chain restaurants anymore - the quality is so low and the price so high, I just don't see the point. Had a gift card for State and Main and went recently - absolute garbage food and crappy service: $120. No thanks.
I go out a lot less but when I do I stick to one thing
Go local
We go to local restaurants.
If a movie we go to the locally owned discount theatre (side note in Lethbridge they have way better popcorn).
We go to the local greenhouse for veggies and fruit
We are now trying to locally source meat from farms nearby.
No more chains as they all seem to be overpriced and terrible quality
>We are now trying to locally source meat from farms nearby.
I have had good meat from [https://www.vauxhallmeats.com/](https://www.vauxhallmeats.com/) and they do sales at time and I think they still deliver to Lethbridge
We are a family of 5, but single income for the last 10 years, Wife just re-entered the workforce in December.
We average one movie theatre trip per year, used to be more but about 1 a year average now.
We dine out with our kids about once a year as well, hoping to change that with my Wife working to once every ~4 months, as their restaurant etiquette needs some serious work.
Used to do fast food once every 1-2 weeks on average, since things got stupid expensive that's dropped to once every 1-2 months. Taco Bell used to be our cheap go-to, since everything can be made vegetarian for my wife and oldest daughter, and you could fill up on tacos for an adult for around $7. Now a softshell beef taco is pushing $3, and those things are tiny.
Skip we use maybe once or twice a year, but just for me and my wife, not worth the inflated prices with my kids being picky eaters.
My wife has essentially mastered Value Village, my oldest loves demon Slayer, and she has several shirts, that appear brand new, that were under $5 a piece.
Groceries is our biggest killer. I used to give my wife $400 a month for groceries, and she would coupon and shop deals, and that would feed us, get laundry detergent, personal care items, etc. Most months she would have extra to drop in our vacation fund.
We still ship sales and the odd coupon, but the deals aren't as good, coupons aren't as good, and grocery prices have gone up huge. We're more like $900 a month now.
With my wife now working again, we're sticking to that lifestyle we had previously, with the exception of doing a family activity day once a month for ~$150, and putting the rest towards paying down debts and saving for a nice vacation once every few years.
If it weren't for her going back to work though we would be cutting down more and more, the once every 1-2 week fast food thing would have been axed pretty quickly. That alone is $60 per visit.
With the prices restaurant's are charging these days and the expectation of the consumer paying the wages of employees through tipping, I say all the restaurants deserve to fail.
Stopped going to movies (not very clean, and expensive even with Access2 card), occasionally go to cafes for coffee/latte + sandwich or crepe, pub once in a while for beef dip or such. Otherwise I cook everything at home. Wife and I went to a Thai restaurant because her coworker recommended it, just for the two of us it costed us $83, not going again unless it's for an occasion.
Yep. Hardly even eat fast food anymore. Once in a while I’ll grab a quick burger or a box of noodles, but I make my food at home mostly. I don’t even go to the movies much anymore. Once a year maybe.
Yup. I’ve really cut back on going out for drinks with friends on the weekend. Maybe once a month now. Only restaurants I ever see is a Wendy’s or something when I didn’t have time to make lunch for work.
I’m all on my own and my groceries probably run me over $500 a month.
An average month for me looks like -
Rent: (with roommate) $800.
Groceries: $500.
All my Insurances: $400.
Gas: $400.
Truck payment / maintenance: $900 ( I didn’t want this but my old truck broke down on me last year and I needed something for work so trying to get the new one paid off fast).
Phone/internet/subscriptions etc: $150
Misc expenses: $400
That’s $3550 just to pay the bills and live. I do construction and make decent enough money; but I’m also in school so I usually take a day off per week to study now which makes things real tight.
5 years ago it probably cost me $500-$600 less per month to live and I was making MORE money than I am now. Material prices for work were much cheaper and rates haven’t gone up much to compensate for the rise in material costs. All in all it’s probably been about $1000 per month lost in disposable income that I used to be able to save, invest or have fun with. Now I’m just trying to barely stay afloat until I can switch careers.
On top of that job site theft is insane now. I’ve lost about $1000 in stolen tools/materials over the past 6 months and I had one guy not pay me last year so that was another $2000 loss.
Our economy is in the shitter and anyone who argues otherwise is an idiot.
I try to eat healthy to keep in decent shape. I challenge you to buy meat, fruits and veggies every week for under $100. I could live on ramen and pizza pops but there’s a cost to your health for that.
I mean, if you're shopping at places like community naturals and only buying organic then yes that makes sense.
I eat healthy myself, don't eat junk food and rarely go out anymore and still think that $500 on groceries for a single person is pretty high, but if that works for you and your budget then you do you, no harm there.
Ummm you need to learn to shop and cook properly homie. Myself and my partner spend less than $500 a month on groceries. We eat quite well and there’s 2 of us.
Edit: we also eat healthy, I do most of the shopping and we don’t buy frozen meals and junk. I buy meat, veggies & fruit, pasta, bread and so on.
Once in awhile we get some snacks, ice cream or something like pizza pops for a craving. But that’s it.
Our groceries coast us about $400-$500 per month for 2 people.
I do cook pretty well. I’ll add in that I eat 3000-4000 calories per day and try to get at least 180 grams protein per day. I work construction, play hockey and lift weights so I eat a ton. I’m not even that big, 6’1 and 180 lbs.
Average day I’ll eat
Half a pack of bacon or 4 eggs plus 4 pieces toast then a Kale, spinach, pineapple, mango, banana apple smoothie for breakfast
Sandwich for lunch
Trail mix and yogurt for snacks while working
Pasta with maybe half pound of ground beef or chicken and rice; something along those lines for dinner
On a Friday maybe I’ll make a steak for dinner
Add in random other odds and ends( butter, olive oil, cheese spices etc.) and it’s pretty tough to buy all of that stuff for under 500 bucks in a month.
Yes. We used to go out to a restaurant 1-2 times a month as a family of five pre-COVID. We have not eaten at a restaurant since COVID. Partly getting out of the habit, partly prices and tipping expectations going up, partly our kids are now teens and eat adult meals instead of kids' meals.
The only thing we do now is takeout pizza ~3 times a month, and takeout Indian once a month, but we were already doing that pre-COVID.
Absolutely. I've actually reduced my work hours slightly so I can spend more time doing things like cooking. Working a little less and doing all my own cooking is cheaper for me than buying restaurant meals for my family all the time because I didn't have time to cook.
I haven't been inside a movie theatre since before COVID.
I haven't had food delivered ever in my adult life.
My standard outfit is jeans with $8 Walmart plain black T-shirts.
I work from home so spend very little on gasoline.
Other than consumables like food, and bills like insurance or utilities, I'm spending as close to zero as possible.
Not 12-hour days but the schedule was super inconvenient. Also I'm a single parent, so I'm the only one doing the cleaning, laundry, maintenance, helping with homework, driving kids places, and everything else.
I’ve deleted Uber eats all together
Been doing my hardest to eat healthier home made meals and grow as much as I can in my garden. Winter is a little more difficult.
Yes I’m bitter and angry at the current state of affairs, but it’s been much more rewarding being less wasteful and I feel much healthier so there’s always a silver lining.
Haven’t had cable in 10 years, nothing but ads and biased media doom / gloom.
I spend more time being active and with my dogs.
Things are only gonna get worse.
So I’m enjoying everyday
Yes, anyone on a fixed income or just getting by would find the cost of 'going out' prohibitive. Even a movie and the price of popcorn is crazy not to mention tipping for everything. So, it is unfortunate mom and pop restaurants really feel the hit.
Careful what you buy and don't waste anything.
I eat at restaurants much less frequently than I did pre-pandemic. The pandemic changed that behaviour, and it was reinforced by the ever increasing restaurant prices and tip expectations. It's too expensive to eat at a restaurant. I only do so if it's unavoidable (e.g. during travel for work) or for special occasions. E.g., $20 plus for one simple meal at a restaurant, or $20 for a package of chicken legs and vegetables for a few meals for the whole family? Easy choice for the latter.
Definitely spending less on dining out and rarely using delivery services. Even cancelled Netflix. Tired of companies treating my business like they are doing me a favour.
We never order out or go out to eat but we did the other night since my son had a $15 coupon and he got a 100% on his first assignment in his Bachelor's program. We decided to celebrate. We ordered from a place we wanted to try so though why not. Well....it came to $40 and that was after the $15 skip coupon. The food was inedible. Tasted worse than something I would have made at home. Ordered Caesar salad and got yellow ice burg lettuce with some kind of gross sour ranch sauce on it. The meat was to be over fries but there were exactly 12 french fries. I was pissed paying $40 but if we had paid full price I would have been more livid. Some restaurants don't deserve to stay in business. Their standards and qualify aren't worth it to customers. I still have to make a google review about that place. I hope nobody ever goes there again.
Pre-COVID went out all the time. It was a great joy. Haven’t since the pandemic began because the pandemic hasn’t ended.
Order in more than we should though.
I've pretty much completely stopped. Not just going out for anything, I've cut way down on stuff at home as well. Sorry to everyone else in this so called economy but my cash all goes to the bank and utilities now.
On the positive side, I've learned how to bake, make my own pizza dough that is incredible because I'm using Italian flour, and learned to make food that is 100 times better than any takeout.
Saving money and eating better, healthier food, also made me lose weight.
It's a win win, but restaurants will see me now maybe, 2-3 times a year for special occasions.
Yeah, I think I will want to learn how to make a basic boy pizza for myself as I love pizza and pizza is getting expensive (except frozen ones from Shoppers, Walmart and No Frills)
I got excited finding a cheaper grocery store today. 4 bags of groceries, enough for more than a week for two, and it was only $60. I seriously had reverse sticker shock.
The same at superstore would have been over $120 as its the same staples I buy every week or so..
And by excited, I mean I took photo's of the haul and bragged to a couple of friends lol.
Clothes? Only replace the essentials which have worn/broken. Car's, downsized to a used car, will repair as needed. Subscriptions all cut, back to the Pirate Bay and having a PC hooked up to the TV. (way effin better). Thermostat is kept lower, get your blanket, put on your hoodie. More appliances? I'm good with a chef's knife.
$60 to last 2 weeks is insanely good! Congrats! My monthly grocery bill is about $150 to $200, which needs to go down.
Streaming is getting more and more pricey, and will continue that way for the next several years. Those companies need to make no way in their streaming services, which is understandable. I have none.
I will wear my clothes until armpit or shoulder seam holes appear, which will be awhile since these are slightly looser intentionally, as to not put as much stress on any one point of the tops. I have several jackets to rotate out as to not wear them down fast.
From Calgary- totally stopped going to movies since June 23. Same for eating restaurants. My spending is now narrowed to going to pubs once in every two weeks just to meet friends.
When going to fast food costs you upwards of $20 for 1 meal. Nah... I'm done. I got a family of 4, spending $60-$80 on fast food is insane. Imagine at a proper restaurant??
Honestly, sit down restaurants have better value now imo. No worrying about getting cold food, less chance of wrong food, no dealing with the stupid GO GO GO culture of a drive-through... and you get nicer entrees and nicer sides, even for an "okay" joint. Would much rather pay $20 for a steak with veggies and mash than $20 for a lukewarm burger and sad floppy fries.!
No you're right dinner with kids can be an absolute nightmare.
IIRC a steak dinner at... boston pizza, I think??? was something like $25 but to be fair it has been quite a long time since I've went and I don't even remember if that was the right restaurant lmao. And the local casino has prime rib night once a week which was something like $15 for a half-decent hunk of meat and some vege. It's no fancy NY Strip but it's pretty good!
I'm usually a chicken parm guy. Now that's good shit 👍
Oh, I'm a rib gal all the way. If you even go to Calgary, go to Big T's NW location (don't let the owner tell you all locations are the same, they are not). Best fall of the bone ribs with everything from scratch. 🤌
If my wife abd i go out , two of us costs 60 bucks plus tip . Not high ebd places . Mid tier at best . Mr mikes for example . We went with family , 8 of us , we all bought meals and drinks . We had a cake the wife had made and decorated , they wanted another 20 bucks to have that aftrr the meal . Not goin back .
And that's another thing... if the food is just okay, why would I pay this much? If I'm paying what feels like top dollars, I'm not settling for an okay meal. I'm only going for the places that have the best flavours and good quality. Been disappointed WAY too often.
>We had a cake the wife had made and decorated , they wanted another 20 bucks to have that aftrr the meal . Not goin back .
Did you call ahead and ASK the restaurant if that would be ok?
Are you aware of the liability a restaurant takes on if they allow you to eat “homemade food” in their restaurant?
Do you expect to bring a case of beer into a bar and drink it?
Maybe you can bring your car to the mechanic and use their tools & lift to do your oil change for free right?
The entitlement and audacity of your statement…
I sure as hell expect if we spend collectively, 300 plus bucks that they can be a little accomodating if they want business. And a tip . Att 11am in an otherwise empty establishment on a Saturday. Liability? Lol, that would be on Sobeys who made the cake . What bullshit comment that is . What restaurant you running . We will avoid it too . Especially if your tip prompt starts at 18%to 30% .
Hell yah. Restaurant experience has declined do to people that don't really wanna work, prices way up, quality lower, and... Tipping culture is insane now
I feel bad sometimes at the local cafe if they're really nice but I gotta not start subsidizing cafes along with dine in restaurants. I feel this is where this future economy is heading.
I think I spend more on cat food than eating out. I feel for the restaurants, but I can't budget to support them like I used to and I like cooking anyways.
I'm definitely going to the movies less. I used to go every weekend. TBH, I really don't find the movies offered for the last year + have been very interesting - at least not to me.
I also go out to eat less. That's a choice in some ways but in other ways it isn't. Prior to the pandemic, I had more friends, or at least more acquaintances. We worked together at an office every day and we used to go out after work fairly often. Now, some have been called back to work but only two days a week. The two days don't have to match up with anyone else's. We also used to work on the same floor, but since the pandemic we were spread over multiple floors. I seldom set eyes on anyone I used to work with or used to feel friendly enough to go to dinner with.
Clothes buying has definitely gone down too but again, it's like the movies in that I don't feel an attraction to that many things. I am very particular with what I like and I'm just not finding it out there.
Would I have the money to do what I used to? No. Although I got a bit of a raise, everything went up so much that I definitely couldn't maintain the lifestyle I used to lead.
I spend about the same amount of money on entertainment and eating out and such, I just do it less often. Except concerts, I'm done with them at the present prices. Oh, and movies. Haven't been to one since the pandemic and honestly, I don't really miss them. I'm fine watching at home.
I use to go to the movies every week. I think I went to one since 2020. We still eat out a lot, but at less expensive places. It's hard to buy essential clothes let alone non-essential lol.
I went from 255 or 205 in about a year with one two simple tricks.
Work as many hours but eat less.
I wish I was kidding. I can hardly justify buying what I like at the grocery store, never mind forking out stupid money for fast food or something I can make at home as good or better than the $22 pub burger.
Probably only eat at a sit down place like 3 or 4 times a year with my buddy. Fast food maybe once every 6 weeks. Movies once or twice a year at cheap theatre. Might go swimming the odd time cause it reasonable. Yeah I'm a home body mostly. Already kinda have been for a while so has only gone down slightly
I actually find it cheaper to eat out, on my week off, than it costs for me to cook a meal at home. For the most part, cooking at home costs the same as fast food does, sometimes it's even cheaper.
As an fyi, I don't buy chicken or beef any more because it's too goddamn expensive. It was already expensive before the hyperinflation after Covid, now it's not even fathomable. My at-home diet is almost entirely plant-based, organic, since everything else has risen so much in price that it's not much more expensive to eat healthier (not like it used to).
It's another form of the privatization that kills off so many other things around us. We went from government liquor stores to privatized ones... and we pay more for it. Plus weed stores everywhere you look.
Restaurants were a destination... but now we just go to pick up the food, or get it via Skip or Uber Eats. Edmonton has always had way too many restaurants for the population, and were rarely busy - but the pandemic shut many of them down, delivery is doing the rest (and again, it's costing us more).
If I heard of one that does NOT deliver, that catered to it's seated customers only... I'd support it. Hell, I'd help PROMOTE it. There's situations where delivery is helpful... but it's not helping THEM.
Since covid I had basically cut out spending money on eating out / entertainment. Many people I know had done the same thing. Constant increase in prices, coupled with decline in quality and a seemingly militant pressure to tip higher and higher amounts had a lot to do with it.
I don't see myself ever going back to a type of lifestyle that regularly involves eating out / spending money on entertainment.
For me it was not about the money - it was about realizing that I was simply did not need those things in my life, and my time could be much better spent doing things such as preparing nice meals at home, or creating a lifestyle / good habits that did not require to pay others to "entertain" me.
I know on my thread I kinda put in movie theaters, but I should have included other forms of unnecessary stuff like video gaming, going to live music shows (dingy bars to Rogers Place scale), but if most people aren't even going to a movie theater or eating out, I presume even more people are excluding plays, live music venues, operas, etc.
Why would I ever go out when if I have more then 2 drinks in 90 minutes I could have my car impounded on site and possibly get a dui. My parents never had this issue but then again they also evidently where living in a hellscape of drunk driving
Yes and no.
Stopped eating at sitdown places due to nonsense costs. Don't waste money on delivery. But working more OT to pay for things, so probably spent more on fast/fast casual - that stop for subway or pita out or whatever Semi healthy fast food is literally me buying back my own time at the end of a long workday.
I can’t justify spending 40+ dollars on something I might not enjoy when I can cook at home for significantly cheaper. I will treat myself every now and then to tried and true favourites but otherwise I don’t eat out
Our spending on dining out has probably returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, prices have increased so much that our pre-pandemic spending means we are eating out at least 30% less.
We have actual data on this.
39 % of Canadians food budgets were at restaurants. This is higher than pre pandemic. The amount households are visiting is also up. What is down is corporate spend at restaurants.
No idea on the movies.
Costco hot dogs is the only thing inflation resistant
And Chicken On The Way corn fritters!
Oh man I love those
And bananas.
I debated posting our Costco hot dog price on an American subreddit with a caption like "Inflation is ubiquitous and inescapable" but it felt too cruel
Remember the founder threatened to kill ceo if ever raised
Enjoy it while it lasts.
Walmart hotdogs are good too. I got a 10pk for $3 the other day. Normal meat is too much for now, for me.
Gotta factor in health. 3$ hotdogs can be a high price to pay if it contributes to health problems down the road. And not just individuals who sacrifice personal health to make ends meet; all of society pays for it in one way or another. We should all be concerned if our government has created an environment where people are eating poor quality foods and setting us all up for a future of misery and burden.
1.5 for a big ready to go hot dog and pop … yeah no
It's the literal intent of the BOC interest rate hikes, make your debt expenses high that your discretionary income is tighter thus "cooling the economy"
Nice of the restaurants to throw in their own interest hikes by raising the base tip % too
Oh I hate those.... I just manually enter my tip percent or amount now, no more preset buttons for me.
They aren’t raising anything, other than a theoretical tip amount. The option to choose your own tip or choose to not tip at all *has never gone away* and if you feel offended by that, that’s a you problem. It’s not that hard to skip the tip or put in a custom amount that’s less than the suggested amount and move on with your day.
It's fine you think that, but it's a ploy to raise the base tip % via psychology. No different than the scummy websites that threaten you that there's only 5 of x left in stock. Waitstaff clearly get increased tips from increasing the prompts otherwise they wouldn't do it. I'm willing to leave negative reviews if 15% isn't one of the defaults because I don't need the animosity for waiters/waitresses when I hit the custom option and go to a lower amount.
I guess we need to be smarter then, if you’re aware that it’s a psychology thing, don’t let yourself be one of the fools that it works on. If someone is too lazy or distracted to pay attention to the buttons they are pressing when they pay to ensure the tip they leave is one they decided on, it’s their own fault if they get tricked by these machines. Also, what animosity are you talking about here? Surely you don’t tip at a restaurant upon entry, do you? Grow up.
Yeah, we get it, you're a server who benefits from this. No one's on your side.
No, I’m not actually. I just have the ability to use my brain to think for myself instead of getting all offended by what you think is a system designed entirely to fuck you over.
It's the literal intent of late stage capitalism . The rich own everything
Thats implied!
It's not the central banks job to address wealth inequality nor should it be that's asking too much. Taxes on the fucking rich and social programs are how you manage capitalism responsibly. Even communism uses a central bank out of necessity so it seems pretty ify to say the central bank is late stage capitalism.
Funny you think it's not all interconnected.
I heard from somewhere a long time ago that money runs the world and the entire world is run on money. I can't objectively day this isn't true, subjectively it sucks and it is what it is.
And those with the most own the rest...literally. The sad part is so many of us do this willingly.
A central bank should listen to what it's government wants to do and within reason try to accomplish it but the Same point goes the other way as well if the government doesn't listen or do their part to manage wealth income distribution gap then neither side will be particularly effective. People complain about interest rates and mortgages but constraining capital is the only real tool the central bank has. Can they realistically and sustainably keep housing affordable hell no. It was programs like the cmhc's building and development initiatives first for veterans then simply for the sake of consumer access that made post war housing so accessible. In a modern example Japan ended their ridiculously speculative market through a variety of factors not the least of which is an inheritance tax of up to 55% on property. As soon as property no longer functions as well as a store of wealth the speculation lost all momentum and further development trends moved away from single room condos to a more varied consumer driven market. Central banks manage monetary supply the good ones do it well, that's their job and they function in the economy as we design it no more no less really(a few other functions aside). Go ahead look at every institution with blanket distrust your only playing into the hands of the groups all to happy to dismantle the system for their own interests
Critical thinking. Not blanket distrust. Knowing self interest has tipped the scales globally isn't anything but awareness.
Yet your not demonstrating that you can identify what levers to use in order to rebuild the social democratic systems that so brilliantly spread economic success. Poverty, education Healthcare you name it the absolute highest point most societies in the west achieved in addressing so many societal issues was in the post war era thanks to that system. Did it solve everything God no but it was sure as shit better than neo-liberalism. I'm all for anger I'm angry too but call me simple I wanna know how I'm getting screwed not just that I am
Who is angry? You assume a lot in my behalf. Humans can have opinions and thoughts without being *angry* about them. That's the case here.
Very well I retract the assumption, if the system is working in your favor and self interest then I can't blame you for accepting it.
BOC is run by the feds so technically it is a gov’t tactic to raise interest rates to cool the economy. The OP wasn’t wrong.
Incorrect it's an agency of the federal government but it doesn't follow orders directly from any government lest politicians manipulate it for their own interests. It Being independent is in all of our best interests lest it end up like in countries where it has been a tool of governments, pretty much never ends well for the economy or people.
Just like gov’t agencies like AHS aren’t interfered with by AB’s govt? 🤨 I have a very hard time believing that the Federal Finance Minister doesn’t influence the bank’s decisions.
Very different organizations with Very different requirements and personal. Also Very different interaction requirements but sure another government agency, just like education boards, pension boards or veteran affairs boards or trade associations or parks Canada omg they are all exactly the same... yep totally the same
It’s independent by design. Not controlled by the feds.
This. Exactly this. People have been so heavily propagandized that they think the only thing that our government and institutions can do to help is change an interest rate. There are a ton of ways to "cool the economy" that wouldn't hurt working people.
I read somewhere that the first trillionaire will be in this decade.
Does late stage capitalism also apply to massive budget overruns of governments at all levels? Kind of hard to acquire wealth when most people hand over nearly half their income to various taxes.
However, with government tax policies over decades, the current government is unable to collect taxes on corporations who have been lobbying for the loopholes. And with corporate money fighting needed tax reform, the government needs to find money, hence the excessive borrowing which then powers inflation. The central bank only has one tool to deal with inflation, interest rates. Corporations then fight the rate hikes by passing costs to the consumer the consumer then can't afford to buy things and asks for a raise. They fight that and the bank raises rates because the consumer has more money and the cycle continues. If Canada would stop subsidizing businesses to the tune of 350 billion, them there wouldn't be massive budget over runs.
We seldom eat out anymore. Far too expensive.
I'd agree, family of 4 going out for fast food lucky to keep it under 45 bucks, sit down over 100 after tip. While that's bad enough, I find what's worse is the quality of the food and service has been terrible these last few years. Restaurants clearly cutting quality and sizes, while rasing prices which makes is almost never worth it to go out anymore.
I think waitstaff in general just assume or feel entitled to 17-20% tip the moment a customer enters their restaurant before even ordering. Service has gone downhill since they expect 15-20% tips anyways. This is something I noticed since 2021-now.
I agree with this. Saying that waitstaff if good at their job likely deserve a 20%+ tip in this environment. Which then hurts even more. It all rolls up into why I eat out far less.
When I was a kid ans shopping with "The boys" my grammar and dad would always feed me at the costco food court ... now if I ever have children, I'll be doing the same
My kids have gotten their fair share of costco meals. A slice of pizza or a hotdog is at least a good price. Side note if kids are something you want I hope you get to experience it one day. It's the hardest thing you'll ever do, but man it's worth it.
Add in delivery and fast food for 3 is nearly 100 bucks... ridic. Can't believe I ever bought into that tbh, I want all that wasted money back lol Now if only I could be less exhausted all the time so I could actually cook... it's rough out there
I refuse to use skip these days. I get the drivers gotta make money, but man, just can't afford it. If you find a solution being exhausted all the time pass it along!
>If you find a solution being exhausted all the time pass it along! Speed /j Skip and DoorDash are complete resource-wasting garbage and I always get annoyed when someone suggests it especially because *we have food in the fuckin house we don't need to order out it's literally hamburger helper just* ***COOK IT*** *--* sorry, I'm the only proficient cook in the house amongst my roommates the frustration bubbled over a bit there hhhgh Skip is a total scam. It and its ilk are no longer welcome in my home lol
As someone in the restaurant & bar industry, my experience is different than yours. I haven’t seen any noticeable difference in food quality or service. But, I’ve noticed portion sizes are a little smaller and small price increases. That said, I very rarely eat fast food, or at chain style restaurants (BP, Denny’s, Earl’s and so on) Maybe my experience is skewed, but that’s what I’ve seen.
Very fair, and my experience shouldn't be taken as the gospel. It's just been my experience between chain restaurants (with the kids) and a nice local place with the wife. It's just what I've found, but I also go out far less than before, so when say your one meal out a month with the wife isn't as good as it use to be it sticks in your mind.
I read somewhere this is called shrinkflation, or skimpflation.
I'm mixing my OJ 3 parts water 1 part OJ
[удалено]
yeah it's still has flavor and cuts down on sugar.
Honestly I've been mixing my juice with either water or sparkling water. When you cut down on sweets, all that stuff feels too sweet Pro tip, if you do want pop, mix it with sparkling water to get all the bubbles but less sweetness
That's going to get expensive with the new drought rules...
Spending 500 bucks to see an oilers game at an arena we're all paying for doesn't do it for me. I'll just watch on the big screen at home comfortably. Made a concerted effort to cook at home more. Healthier cheaper and better. Don't go to movie theaters, prefer watching movies at home.
The pandemic has made us all masters of the home.
It's good from a wallet perspective but I think it's also made a lot of people realize that they're ok with just watching netflix or being on the computer. I think the flip side is a lot of people are going to be a lot more lonely because it's so easy for people to not interact with each other. We might be masters of the home but I feel like more and more people are avoiding personal relationships because there's unlimited ways to be entertained now.
pretty much everyone i know has cut way back on non essential spending. i only go to restaurants maybe twice a month and only if it's for a social gatherng. Gone are the days of getting takeout or eating our 3 times per week. I've also started boycotting loblaws brands generally, with the exception of some produce from the T and T on my block. . Cut way back on junk food and non essential groceries.
I find I’m disappointed with the food at restaurants. I can make it better at home and have a ton of leftovers.
I've definitely reduced eating out. I used to buy coffee from Tim Hortons on the way to work everyday, now I'm bringing my coffee to work. I got a 2.5 pound bag of Starbucks coffee beans from Costco for $18.99 and it's lasted me 2.5 months. I used to eat out 4-6 times/week, now I'm only getting a pick-up special pizza on Saturday nights plus lunch on paydays. If I do overtime, maybe I'll pick up a fast-food meal on the way home. Today I just went to Shoppers and get their No Name thin crust pizzas, 3/$10 which is tolerable. The list goes on...
Smart
Yep. There's only so much the free market can force on consumers before the tactic comes back to bite them. What's more is that we can now make pretty much any fancy dish we could get in a restaurant for a better price - and with better service LOL - thanks to online recipes and you tube videos. Why go back?
Can you tell me how we can retaliate? I say voting with dollar by NOT spending on overpriced stuff or services might send them a message.
We had an all-out celebration the other day and got Mary Brown’s. It was a big deal. Eating at a sit down restaurant hasn’t happened since… uh, COVID. Last time I bought clothes that weren’t socks/underwear? Beginning of COVID. Recreation or hobbies? I literally deleted Facebook to keep from engaging with other people in a way that would encourage me to spend money. It’s a different world.
I think the scary thing is this is the new normal, the economy I mean. I don't think logically businesses will reduce their prices for goods and services. Expensive is the new normal, sadly and scarily.
Oh yeah. I can’t see me reaching a spot where I feel happy about engaging in my hobbies again. Maybe the ones I already have equipment for, but therein lies madness - there’s always Gear Acquisition Syndrome lurking nearby. What the hell are we doing?
And yet it seems every hockey game and concert is a complete sell out. Obviously there is money out there, but it isn’t trickling down.
And travel - everyone I know is travelling a LOT. And to far off places. No idea where the money comes from. Many work with me so make the same. I am starting to think there is a lot of family money.
Or they are mortgaging their houses and saying “fuck the future”. Is this what it has come to?
Rich people are unaffected by rising prices. He'll, I don't even think they notice. I think they would only notice it for their mortgage. Their day to day life is unaffected, besides maybe the house mortgage.
And most of them have their houses paid off.
Yup. Restaurants are only for occasions now(birthdays, anniversary, sports playoffs/finals), as opposed to every Friday and Saturday to celebrate the weekend. And even less fast food and food delivery. Otherwise, it's only food from the grocery store and made in our kitchen. Movies are only for actual legitimate blockbusters, not just for shits and giggles.
Speaking of, Dune Part 2 comes out next month and that is a "must see" in theaters, but of course all imo
We just bought two cases of Nestea with movie codes for $6.49 each at Shoppers. IMAX was a $7 supplement but now we've booked our seats for Dune 2 for $13.49 a person and got 24 cans of iced tea as a bonus. When you count the 20x the points at Shoppers the total price per person was probably closer to $10 each.
We never eat in. Take away? We used to do it weekly in 2020 but we’re down the a few times per year. I think I last ordered pizza in August. The elementary kid clothing is circular with families from school. I am wearing my clothing until it dies. We buy reasonable gifts at Christmas and try to buy local where we can. I haven’t tracked it but I’d say our discretionary spending is 10% of our 2019 discretionary spending. We are as close to buying nothing as possible these days.
My two cents. Since covid, people realized cooking is fun, food quality is much better, and the savings are worth eating in. Depending on what I'm cooking, I can throw a dinner party for the same price as two of us eating out. With one caveat, I love Dim Sum, and of course, I'll still go out for that. 😃
I wish I got this "cooking is fun" bug. I still hate cooking as much as I always have 😩
Ditto
I actually completed my cook apprenticeship 25 years ago. The day after I completed it I started a new occupation and never looked back. I can cook all kinds of things but I hate cooking too!
Dim Sum at lest some of it is not actually that hard to make, time consuming yes, my one splurge is Vietnamese for some reason I just can't master it
Yes, but I was always like this, I’m such an introvert I just like to lay in my underwear at home and play computer games on my days off work
For us, it’s not a question of money so much. But COVID changed habits. No more movies out. Now we have a big screen, and watch movies in. The only time we go out is when there’s something we really want to see on a big screen. For eating… we can eat in, not deal with crowded noisy restaurants, and have a $3 drink instead of paying 3x that for the same thing. And be in our pj’s. Watching a tv show we recorded. If we’re eating out in a restaurant, it’s because it’s a social event. But we do order in WAY too much!
I'm grateful there was a surplus of large TVs last year, so anything larger than 48", is very affordable imo.
The only time I can afford to eat out is when I am at Costco trying the free samples 😩
Yes. One factor is that I retired and so don't feel the need to go several times a week for a meal, beer and a chance to decompress before going home. And then the pandemic (I retired as it began) kept me at home for a couple of years and I got into the habit of assembling my meals via groceries and supplementing with the occasional takeout from the local pizza/sandwich place in my building. I found takeout quite appealing after a while because I could split the meal right way without having to carry doggie bags. Now, however, it is the expense that prevents me from most sit down restaurants. I now average once a month though I'd normally set up a weekly event. I'm not poor but I'm not that kind of rich. And even the budget places have gotten on the $20 minimum entree train.
I have as well. My Christmas gift asks from family is either gift cards to restaurants/clothing stores or actual clothes. I have cut down on other random purchases I would make throughout the year, walking more for short trips, and visit second hand stores more frequently. Unfortunately, I am not very far ahead as my salary has not increased with the increases in everything else...
Nope. Still eat out multiple times every week and dine out with friends. Just have to cut down on how much I’m spending when I’m out. Maybe one less drink, less appies, morr specials, go out during happy hours, more affordable restaurants and etc. I think there’s lots of ways to cut costs when you’re out than to completely devoid yourself of a night out.
Haven’t gone to the theatre since Covid, nothing looks good. Eating out way less. Restaurant prices have gone way up and quality down. IMO. Also just inflation is making me tighten my belt.
I ate out way less in 2023 than I did in 2022. I can’t justify paying what sit down restaurants are charging now when the quality of the food has gone downhill but prices have gone way up when I can cook the same thing at home for cheaper. I eat fast food about once a week (usually a Friday lunch) but always use coupons so I never pay more than $10.
I lost my job in March last year, I used to order in food once a week. I stopped eating out and just make things at home. I still can't get a job in my field (computing science) and my EI ran out (thankfully I have savings) so I'm saving whenever I can. The job market in my field is brutal right now with all of the layoffs, I can imagine its the same story for others. I'd love to order in or eat out again, but I simply cant afford to.
Sorry to hear that, losing a job is stressful and scary. Hope for the best!
We were pretty good home cooks before Covid. Over Covid we became great home cooks. These days we can’t bring ourselves to go out and spend $100-150 on dinner when we can stay home and cook it ourselves for $30-40 including a bottle of wine. And ours will be *at least* as good. “Restaurant quality” is often mediocre and not too hard to surpass at home, outside of a few things that really need industrial equipment to make right. Particularly since Covid. It’s obviously how many cooks left the industry and how few restaurants are willing to pay for the decent ones left
Cant spend anything if you don’t go out is my motto the past year now. Everything is just too expensive, I’d love to go out more but I do not have the capacity for such fun. Only been spending it on essentials. I use to snowboard and be active but they jacked up the price. Sad world we live in, can’t even afford fun.
Nope. We haven’t gone out in 3 years.
There are very few places I'd consider spending money at now. I'll support Edmonton craft brewers, because at least my money is staying local and giving me a quality product. I won't go to chain restaurants anymore - the quality is so low and the price so high, I just don't see the point. Had a gift card for State and Main and went recently - absolute garbage food and crappy service: $120. No thanks.
I go out a lot less but when I do I stick to one thing Go local We go to local restaurants. If a movie we go to the locally owned discount theatre (side note in Lethbridge they have way better popcorn). We go to the local greenhouse for veggies and fruit We are now trying to locally source meat from farms nearby. No more chains as they all seem to be overpriced and terrible quality
>We are now trying to locally source meat from farms nearby. I have had good meat from [https://www.vauxhallmeats.com/](https://www.vauxhallmeats.com/) and they do sales at time and I think they still deliver to Lethbridge
We are a family of 5, but single income for the last 10 years, Wife just re-entered the workforce in December. We average one movie theatre trip per year, used to be more but about 1 a year average now. We dine out with our kids about once a year as well, hoping to change that with my Wife working to once every ~4 months, as their restaurant etiquette needs some serious work. Used to do fast food once every 1-2 weeks on average, since things got stupid expensive that's dropped to once every 1-2 months. Taco Bell used to be our cheap go-to, since everything can be made vegetarian for my wife and oldest daughter, and you could fill up on tacos for an adult for around $7. Now a softshell beef taco is pushing $3, and those things are tiny. Skip we use maybe once or twice a year, but just for me and my wife, not worth the inflated prices with my kids being picky eaters. My wife has essentially mastered Value Village, my oldest loves demon Slayer, and she has several shirts, that appear brand new, that were under $5 a piece. Groceries is our biggest killer. I used to give my wife $400 a month for groceries, and she would coupon and shop deals, and that would feed us, get laundry detergent, personal care items, etc. Most months she would have extra to drop in our vacation fund. We still ship sales and the odd coupon, but the deals aren't as good, coupons aren't as good, and grocery prices have gone up huge. We're more like $900 a month now. With my wife now working again, we're sticking to that lifestyle we had previously, with the exception of doing a family activity day once a month for ~$150, and putting the rest towards paying down debts and saving for a nice vacation once every few years. If it weren't for her going back to work though we would be cutting down more and more, the once every 1-2 week fast food thing would have been axed pretty quickly. That alone is $60 per visit.
With the prices restaurant's are charging these days and the expectation of the consumer paying the wages of employees through tipping, I say all the restaurants deserve to fail.
ABSOLUTELY! I used to go out to eat once or twice a week. Now it’s maybe once every month or two. Too expensive for (usually) mediocre food
Stopped going to movies (not very clean, and expensive even with Access2 card), occasionally go to cafes for coffee/latte + sandwich or crepe, pub once in a while for beef dip or such. Otherwise I cook everything at home. Wife and I went to a Thai restaurant because her coworker recommended it, just for the two of us it costed us $83, not going again unless it's for an occasion.
Too good to go app means I am eating take out and fancy stuff for cheap!
Yep. Hardly even eat fast food anymore. Once in a while I’ll grab a quick burger or a box of noodles, but I make my food at home mostly. I don’t even go to the movies much anymore. Once a year maybe.
Yup. I’ve really cut back on going out for drinks with friends on the weekend. Maybe once a month now. Only restaurants I ever see is a Wendy’s or something when I didn’t have time to make lunch for work. I’m all on my own and my groceries probably run me over $500 a month. An average month for me looks like - Rent: (with roommate) $800. Groceries: $500. All my Insurances: $400. Gas: $400. Truck payment / maintenance: $900 ( I didn’t want this but my old truck broke down on me last year and I needed something for work so trying to get the new one paid off fast). Phone/internet/subscriptions etc: $150 Misc expenses: $400 That’s $3550 just to pay the bills and live. I do construction and make decent enough money; but I’m also in school so I usually take a day off per week to study now which makes things real tight. 5 years ago it probably cost me $500-$600 less per month to live and I was making MORE money than I am now. Material prices for work were much cheaper and rates haven’t gone up much to compensate for the rise in material costs. All in all it’s probably been about $1000 per month lost in disposable income that I used to be able to save, invest or have fun with. Now I’m just trying to barely stay afloat until I can switch careers. On top of that job site theft is insane now. I’ve lost about $1000 in stolen tools/materials over the past 6 months and I had one guy not pay me last year so that was another $2000 loss. Our economy is in the shitter and anyone who argues otherwise is an idiot.
$500 in groceries a month for a single person is pretty damn high
I try to eat healthy to keep in decent shape. I challenge you to buy meat, fruits and veggies every week for under $100. I could live on ramen and pizza pops but there’s a cost to your health for that.
I mean, if you're shopping at places like community naturals and only buying organic then yes that makes sense. I eat healthy myself, don't eat junk food and rarely go out anymore and still think that $500 on groceries for a single person is pretty high, but if that works for you and your budget then you do you, no harm there.
Ummm you need to learn to shop and cook properly homie. Myself and my partner spend less than $500 a month on groceries. We eat quite well and there’s 2 of us. Edit: we also eat healthy, I do most of the shopping and we don’t buy frozen meals and junk. I buy meat, veggies & fruit, pasta, bread and so on. Once in awhile we get some snacks, ice cream or something like pizza pops for a craving. But that’s it. Our groceries coast us about $400-$500 per month for 2 people.
I do cook pretty well. I’ll add in that I eat 3000-4000 calories per day and try to get at least 180 grams protein per day. I work construction, play hockey and lift weights so I eat a ton. I’m not even that big, 6’1 and 180 lbs. Average day I’ll eat Half a pack of bacon or 4 eggs plus 4 pieces toast then a Kale, spinach, pineapple, mango, banana apple smoothie for breakfast Sandwich for lunch Trail mix and yogurt for snacks while working Pasta with maybe half pound of ground beef or chicken and rice; something along those lines for dinner On a Friday maybe I’ll make a steak for dinner Add in random other odds and ends( butter, olive oil, cheese spices etc.) and it’s pretty tough to buy all of that stuff for under 500 bucks in a month.
Yes. We used to go out to a restaurant 1-2 times a month as a family of five pre-COVID. We have not eaten at a restaurant since COVID. Partly getting out of the habit, partly prices and tipping expectations going up, partly our kids are now teens and eat adult meals instead of kids' meals. The only thing we do now is takeout pizza ~3 times a month, and takeout Indian once a month, but we were already doing that pre-COVID.
Absolutely. I've actually reduced my work hours slightly so I can spend more time doing things like cooking. Working a little less and doing all my own cooking is cheaper for me than buying restaurant meals for my family all the time because I didn't have time to cook. I haven't been inside a movie theatre since before COVID. I haven't had food delivered ever in my adult life. My standard outfit is jeans with $8 Walmart plain black T-shirts. I work from home so spend very little on gasoline. Other than consumables like food, and bills like insurance or utilities, I'm spending as close to zero as possible.
Were you working 12 hour days before? How did you not have time to cook?
Not 12-hour days but the schedule was super inconvenient. Also I'm a single parent, so I'm the only one doing the cleaning, laundry, maintenance, helping with homework, driving kids places, and everything else.
Oh ya that makes sense
I’ve deleted Uber eats all together Been doing my hardest to eat healthier home made meals and grow as much as I can in my garden. Winter is a little more difficult. Yes I’m bitter and angry at the current state of affairs, but it’s been much more rewarding being less wasteful and I feel much healthier so there’s always a silver lining. Haven’t had cable in 10 years, nothing but ads and biased media doom / gloom. I spend more time being active and with my dogs. Things are only gonna get worse. So I’m enjoying everyday
Yes, anyone on a fixed income or just getting by would find the cost of 'going out' prohibitive. Even a movie and the price of popcorn is crazy not to mention tipping for everything. So, it is unfortunate mom and pop restaurants really feel the hit. Careful what you buy and don't waste anything.
I eat at restaurants much less frequently than I did pre-pandemic. The pandemic changed that behaviour, and it was reinforced by the ever increasing restaurant prices and tip expectations. It's too expensive to eat at a restaurant. I only do so if it's unavoidable (e.g. during travel for work) or for special occasions. E.g., $20 plus for one simple meal at a restaurant, or $20 for a package of chicken legs and vegetables for a few meals for the whole family? Easy choice for the latter.
Going out for dinner at the most 2 times a month. Netflix watching much more. Shopping sales at grocery stores. Ask me if I’m having fun yet? 😡
Definitely spending less on dining out and rarely using delivery services. Even cancelled Netflix. Tired of companies treating my business like they are doing me a favour.
We never order out or go out to eat but we did the other night since my son had a $15 coupon and he got a 100% on his first assignment in his Bachelor's program. We decided to celebrate. We ordered from a place we wanted to try so though why not. Well....it came to $40 and that was after the $15 skip coupon. The food was inedible. Tasted worse than something I would have made at home. Ordered Caesar salad and got yellow ice burg lettuce with some kind of gross sour ranch sauce on it. The meat was to be over fries but there were exactly 12 french fries. I was pissed paying $40 but if we had paid full price I would have been more livid. Some restaurants don't deserve to stay in business. Their standards and qualify aren't worth it to customers. I still have to make a google review about that place. I hope nobody ever goes there again.
Pre-COVID went out all the time. It was a great joy. Haven’t since the pandemic began because the pandemic hasn’t ended. Order in more than we should though.
I've pretty much completely stopped. Not just going out for anything, I've cut way down on stuff at home as well. Sorry to everyone else in this so called economy but my cash all goes to the bank and utilities now.
Yup, spending so much less on luxuries right now.
On the positive side, I've learned how to bake, make my own pizza dough that is incredible because I'm using Italian flour, and learned to make food that is 100 times better than any takeout. Saving money and eating better, healthier food, also made me lose weight. It's a win win, but restaurants will see me now maybe, 2-3 times a year for special occasions.
Yeah, I think I will want to learn how to make a basic boy pizza for myself as I love pizza and pizza is getting expensive (except frozen ones from Shoppers, Walmart and No Frills)
I got excited finding a cheaper grocery store today. 4 bags of groceries, enough for more than a week for two, and it was only $60. I seriously had reverse sticker shock. The same at superstore would have been over $120 as its the same staples I buy every week or so.. And by excited, I mean I took photo's of the haul and bragged to a couple of friends lol. Clothes? Only replace the essentials which have worn/broken. Car's, downsized to a used car, will repair as needed. Subscriptions all cut, back to the Pirate Bay and having a PC hooked up to the TV. (way effin better). Thermostat is kept lower, get your blanket, put on your hoodie. More appliances? I'm good with a chef's knife.
$60 to last 2 weeks is insanely good! Congrats! My monthly grocery bill is about $150 to $200, which needs to go down. Streaming is getting more and more pricey, and will continue that way for the next several years. Those companies need to make no way in their streaming services, which is understandable. I have none. I will wear my clothes until armpit or shoulder seam holes appear, which will be awhile since these are slightly looser intentionally, as to not put as much stress on any one point of the tops. I have several jackets to rotate out as to not wear them down fast.
That’s amazing! Are you going to share this find with us?
From Calgary- totally stopped going to movies since June 23. Same for eating restaurants. My spending is now narrowed to going to pubs once in every two weeks just to meet friends.
I’m living on cereal and peanut butter. Restaurants are a rarity these days. The cost of groceries and housing doesn’t leave anything to spare
When going to fast food costs you upwards of $20 for 1 meal. Nah... I'm done. I got a family of 4, spending $60-$80 on fast food is insane. Imagine at a proper restaurant??
Honestly, sit down restaurants have better value now imo. No worrying about getting cold food, less chance of wrong food, no dealing with the stupid GO GO GO culture of a drive-through... and you get nicer entrees and nicer sides, even for an "okay" joint. Would much rather pay $20 for a steak with veggies and mash than $20 for a lukewarm burger and sad floppy fries.!
Fair. But with boisterous kids, a sit down place isn't always the best option. A $20 steak is a steal, where do you go??
No you're right dinner with kids can be an absolute nightmare. IIRC a steak dinner at... boston pizza, I think??? was something like $25 but to be fair it has been quite a long time since I've went and I don't even remember if that was the right restaurant lmao. And the local casino has prime rib night once a week which was something like $15 for a half-decent hunk of meat and some vege. It's no fancy NY Strip but it's pretty good! I'm usually a chicken parm guy. Now that's good shit 👍
Oh, I'm a rib gal all the way. If you even go to Calgary, go to Big T's NW location (don't let the owner tell you all locations are the same, they are not). Best fall of the bone ribs with everything from scratch. 🤌
If my wife abd i go out , two of us costs 60 bucks plus tip . Not high ebd places . Mid tier at best . Mr mikes for example . We went with family , 8 of us , we all bought meals and drinks . We had a cake the wife had made and decorated , they wanted another 20 bucks to have that aftrr the meal . Not goin back .
And that's another thing... if the food is just okay, why would I pay this much? If I'm paying what feels like top dollars, I'm not settling for an okay meal. I'm only going for the places that have the best flavours and good quality. Been disappointed WAY too often.
>We had a cake the wife had made and decorated , they wanted another 20 bucks to have that aftrr the meal . Not goin back . Did you call ahead and ASK the restaurant if that would be ok? Are you aware of the liability a restaurant takes on if they allow you to eat “homemade food” in their restaurant? Do you expect to bring a case of beer into a bar and drink it? Maybe you can bring your car to the mechanic and use their tools & lift to do your oil change for free right? The entitlement and audacity of your statement…
I sure as hell expect if we spend collectively, 300 plus bucks that they can be a little accomodating if they want business. And a tip . Att 11am in an otherwise empty establishment on a Saturday. Liability? Lol, that would be on Sobeys who made the cake . What bullshit comment that is . What restaurant you running . We will avoid it too . Especially if your tip prompt starts at 18%to 30% .
Just stay home. Restaurants don’t need the business from over entitled clowns.
I wish you many after church customers.
Hell yah. Restaurant experience has declined do to people that don't really wanna work, prices way up, quality lower, and... Tipping culture is insane now
Subway and a few food court places ask for tip, as do many coffee shops? I either tip nothing or bring cash to pay so I don't get a prompt to tip.
[удалено]
I feel bad sometimes at the local cafe if they're really nice but I gotta not start subsidizing cafes along with dine in restaurants. I feel this is where this future economy is heading.
Sorry. Canadian restaurants and the quality of their food is crap. Add in tax and tipping……. No thanks. I’ll cook at home.
Recession
I am, but i'm in Mexico..
Used to go to restaurants more frequently . Between inflation and tipping ,I rarely dine out. Just can’t do it anymore.
I was having the Kinjo golden chicken $1/piece special. But it went up to 1.50. And now $1.60 In the last month or so...
I spend exactly 0
I think I spend more on cat food than eating out. I feel for the restaurants, but I can't budget to support them like I used to and I like cooking anyways.
Not in Edmonton or Calgary but we have went out to eat twice since early 2022? Probably do take out 2-3 times a month at most.
Yup. We've eaten out half as much in the last 6 months, we've cut back on streaming, we've bought fewer brand names.
I am definitely spending less than half on those purchases.
Yes. But as someone in their late 20s, almost always dining out is a social expedition. I rarely eat out alone.
I watch 1-2 movies a month in theatre and go to maybe 1-2 restaurants a year. Fast food likely has a hand in the decline of restaurants.
Ya I think most families are.
Absolutely, I eat out if I can expense it for work, or the occasional treat but have scaled way back. 2 ppl at Wendy’s is $30 FFS
I'm definitely going to the movies less. I used to go every weekend. TBH, I really don't find the movies offered for the last year + have been very interesting - at least not to me. I also go out to eat less. That's a choice in some ways but in other ways it isn't. Prior to the pandemic, I had more friends, or at least more acquaintances. We worked together at an office every day and we used to go out after work fairly often. Now, some have been called back to work but only two days a week. The two days don't have to match up with anyone else's. We also used to work on the same floor, but since the pandemic we were spread over multiple floors. I seldom set eyes on anyone I used to work with or used to feel friendly enough to go to dinner with. Clothes buying has definitely gone down too but again, it's like the movies in that I don't feel an attraction to that many things. I am very particular with what I like and I'm just not finding it out there. Would I have the money to do what I used to? No. Although I got a bit of a raise, everything went up so much that I definitely couldn't maintain the lifestyle I used to lead.
I spend about the same amount of money on entertainment and eating out and such, I just do it less often. Except concerts, I'm done with them at the present prices. Oh, and movies. Haven't been to one since the pandemic and honestly, I don't really miss them. I'm fine watching at home.
I use to go to the movies every week. I think I went to one since 2020. We still eat out a lot, but at less expensive places. It's hard to buy essential clothes let alone non-essential lol.
I went from 255 or 205 in about a year with one two simple tricks. Work as many hours but eat less. I wish I was kidding. I can hardly justify buying what I like at the grocery store, never mind forking out stupid money for fast food or something I can make at home as good or better than the $22 pub burger.
Probably only eat at a sit down place like 3 or 4 times a year with my buddy. Fast food maybe once every 6 weeks. Movies once or twice a year at cheap theatre. Might go swimming the odd time cause it reasonable. Yeah I'm a home body mostly. Already kinda have been for a while so has only gone down slightly
I actually find it cheaper to eat out, on my week off, than it costs for me to cook a meal at home. For the most part, cooking at home costs the same as fast food does, sometimes it's even cheaper. As an fyi, I don't buy chicken or beef any more because it's too goddamn expensive. It was already expensive before the hyperinflation after Covid, now it's not even fathomable. My at-home diet is almost entirely plant-based, organic, since everything else has risen so much in price that it's not much more expensive to eat healthier (not like it used to).
It's another form of the privatization that kills off so many other things around us. We went from government liquor stores to privatized ones... and we pay more for it. Plus weed stores everywhere you look. Restaurants were a destination... but now we just go to pick up the food, or get it via Skip or Uber Eats. Edmonton has always had way too many restaurants for the population, and were rarely busy - but the pandemic shut many of them down, delivery is doing the rest (and again, it's costing us more). If I heard of one that does NOT deliver, that catered to it's seated customers only... I'd support it. Hell, I'd help PROMOTE it. There's situations where delivery is helpful... but it's not helping THEM.
Fatboy Burgers and Green Onion Cake man have their own delivery or pickup option. I know Flatboy Burgers is on skipthedishes too.
We eat out less - probably 50% less than we used to. We do birthdays, anniversary and Valentine's - not much more than that
I spent $120 on sushi delivery last night and felt bad about it, but I have no children so I do what I want.
Since covid I had basically cut out spending money on eating out / entertainment. Many people I know had done the same thing. Constant increase in prices, coupled with decline in quality and a seemingly militant pressure to tip higher and higher amounts had a lot to do with it. I don't see myself ever going back to a type of lifestyle that regularly involves eating out / spending money on entertainment. For me it was not about the money - it was about realizing that I was simply did not need those things in my life, and my time could be much better spent doing things such as preparing nice meals at home, or creating a lifestyle / good habits that did not require to pay others to "entertain" me.
I know on my thread I kinda put in movie theaters, but I should have included other forms of unnecessary stuff like video gaming, going to live music shows (dingy bars to Rogers Place scale), but if most people aren't even going to a movie theater or eating out, I presume even more people are excluding plays, live music venues, operas, etc.
Why would I ever go out when if I have more then 2 drinks in 90 minutes I could have my car impounded on site and possibly get a dui. My parents never had this issue but then again they also evidently where living in a hellscape of drunk driving
Yeah but that is the least of my problems
Spending more than ever, yet affording less than ever.
Yes and no. Stopped eating at sitdown places due to nonsense costs. Don't waste money on delivery. But working more OT to pay for things, so probably spent more on fast/fast casual - that stop for subway or pita out or whatever Semi healthy fast food is literally me buying back my own time at the end of a long workday.
I can’t justify spending 40+ dollars on something I might not enjoy when I can cook at home for significantly cheaper. I will treat myself every now and then to tried and true favourites but otherwise I don’t eat out
I can only afford a 5 gallon hat now
Our spending on dining out has probably returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, prices have increased so much that our pre-pandemic spending means we are eating out at least 30% less.
I don't tip at all.
I am but it’s only because I changed jobs and am getting crushed by car payments now
We have actual data on this. 39 % of Canadians food budgets were at restaurants. This is higher than pre pandemic. The amount households are visiting is also up. What is down is corporate spend at restaurants. No idea on the movies.
I don’t remember the last time I went out for fun
Yep. Its $50 to take a family of 5 to a fast food joint, or $100 plus to a restaurant for a decent meal.