Where the heck was THAT ????? I'll be sure to avoid the aera.


You got that right, Bill. I'm always prepared to sleep in a vehicle when I travel.
We got our renewals for all policies a few weeks ago and were pleasantly surprised to see NO increases. Homeowners, auto, with 4 vehicles covered and an umbrella. Only issue is, we changed from other carriers all at the same time and are now hit with a 5k bill. I know, I know, you guys are going to say you pay that much just for homeowners. We have very reasonable rates compared with most thru Owners Insurance.

Sherri and I rarely eat out. Mainly because she is trying to control my diet after my two heart procedures this year, AND trying to avoid dementia, as my Mom (94) is almost crazy as a loon.

But, because I am dealing with so much lately with cardiac rehab AND having to put my Mom in memory care a few weeks ago (then having to empty out her house to get it ready for a renter... so we can afford the memory care), we ended up eating out a few times last week. One place was a wonderful South American cuisine place. Owner is from Peru, and is a great guy. We used to get out of there for $15 or less when we first started dating in late 2008. $52 last week. Then we went to a place where we just get the Salmon Caesar salad. $64 with tip, and all we had to drink was water.

It CAN'T be inflation. I keep hearing from the mainstream (lamestream) media that inflation is under control. Of course it is.

You guys have probably figured out I am pretty middle of the road politically, and I REALLY DON'T want this to be a political post. So, I will just say this: the first $3 trillion happened when Republicans were in control; and it was probably 10X more than what was ACTUALLY needed. For those guys saying "Thanks Joe", well, yes, the next $3 Trillion was not at all necessary. Plenty of blame to go around. You cannot indiscriminately print $6 Trillion and expect no consequences. My kids may survive this; my grandkids, I am afraid, won't.

In short time people will ask themselves "How come I didn't know" The world is changing for the good.

My wife, my son and I went to 5 Guys and each got a burger, one or two large fries, and 3 fountain drinks and the bill was $48.

Four of us went to Tacos and Tequila last night for dinner, my sons had chicken quesadillas, I had one PoBoy Taco and my wife had one Cuban Taco, plus I had one Shock Top Draft and my wife had a Pepsi. The bill was over $70 with tip.

The prices are INSANE.

Got my auto insurance renewal for my Chevelle from MK Insurance today....premium increase of $2 (two dollars). Thank you, Tamara :worship:

Small Ma and Pa diners are between a rock and a hard spot because they’re at the end of the delivery chain. They don’t have any say in what their costs for supplies is. Many Baby Boomers bailed on eating out during the pandemic and aren’t coming back.

The pandemic and inflation has given corporate America a license to steal and many are taking advantage of it. Unfortunately for small businesses they’re in the unenviable place of collecting their money from the public and losing customers at the same time that can’t, or won’t pay the higher prices.

This same topic has come up 4-5 times among friends in the past couple weeks, so it’s on everyone’s mind and most are doing as we are, cutting back.

One of our local favorite places used to be $25-30 for lunch, now it’s, $55-65 and includes
$4.99 for ice tea or soft drink. 3% surcharge for cost adjustment, plus 3% surcharge for credit card.

Prices...
 

The best one I have seen so far concerns the bar bill at a nice joint.

Couple folks ordered martinis...the drinks were $18/each plus $4/ea. "mixing charge'... :confused2:

I make my martinis at home...:smirk:

I'm still supporting non-chain fast food restaurants in Chicago, the one-off hotdog/burger/sub type places... Mr D's, Nottoli, Bob-O's, Frannies.. etc.

But we are questioning our interest in nicer places for dinner, last time we went out we really didn't think it was worth it... Italian place in Roscoe Village.

Must have been "shaken, not stirred"...:cool2:

Living in a town that has over 85 Bars and Restaurants within a square mile, I can tell you that business is as cutthroat as it's ever been, not for the faint of heart...They primarily rely on people coming in from other areas as the locals are pulling back on paying the increases in their prices. I have seen places open up, rave reviews, 2 hr wait and then 12 months later, locked up and gone.. IMO the demographic that "does not care what things cost" is growing smaller by the hour. Tough business these days for sure