Blouses that Cost $149.00
I adored everything about my dad and was raised on his wavelength. In that he was a child of the Depression, you can be certain I am a frugal person. For a while now, I have been thinking of Dad when I eat in restaurants. Specifically, I’m thinking he’s rolling over in his grave when he sees what I pay for my meal. Lately, restaurant tabs have gotten so high that I wonder if he’s going to leave the cemetery in St. Louis to come after me and give me a talking to. Though it would be nice to see Dad again, that’s not the point of this story.
The point of this story is to talk about a New York Times podcast about restaurants, how the information presented impacts a person like me, and yes, to mention what all this has to do with my wardrobe.
But first, here’s how my brain works. When I was a teenager, my folks were going to be out of town for a weekend and gave me money to have a nice meal out with my boyfriend while they were away. It was 1969-ish so I can’t imagine what they gave me. Maybe twenty bucks? Whatever it was, the boyfriend and I took in a game of miniature golf in the afternoon, ate fast food, then went to the movies with candy from the drugstore in my purse. I mean really, why blow all that cash for one meal when it could go so far?
Fast forward to today and to the episode of The Daily entitled, “The Restaurant Industry Is Broken. Can it Be Fixed?” In it, host Michael Barbaro talks with Brett Anderson, a food reporter for the Times. One of Anderson’s comments is to report on a recent outing with his wife and two kids to Five Guys to celebrate a birthday. I call that a fast-food joint; he calls it a fancy fast food hamburger restaurant. Be that as it may, the meal for four cost almost $80. He is a little apologetic in stating that beyond burgers and fries, the family did order one milkshake.
In other parts of the interview, he explains how restaurant prices have risen to the point they are today and he explains many restauranteurs are as unhappy with the situation as are consumers. Here are some facts:
- The National Restaurant Association reports 42% of restaurant owners say they were not profitable in 2025.
- Even a busy, busy, busy restaurant does not guarantee a financially successful one.
- Like we all see in the grocery store, food prices have increased. Restaurants report that this line item is up 35% since the pandemic and it has doubled since 2018.
- After labor and food, credit card fees are the 3rd highest cost for restauranteurs. In our almost cashless society, those 2-4% “swipe fees” are killing them.
- Not to mention the “commissions” they pay to apps like OpenTable and DoorDash.
- Some restaurants say they lose money when customers use a delivery app and consider those sales as marketing costs, not food sales.
Bottom line: rising menu prices are not due to greed but are simply the restauranteurs’ attempt to survive.
I get it and I am sympathetic. BUT…
About a year ago, I took two of my adult kids out to dinner and the tab came to $150. The next day I was at the mall looking at a blouse by my favorite brand. It was $149.
Whereas I previously thought spending $149 on a blouse was flushing money down the toilet, thanks to eating out the night before – the end result of which is literally flushing the toilet – I rethought my earlier stance and bought the pretty blouse. I’m going to get months of pleasure from that blouse while the dinner out is a one-and-done deal.
This thought process has done wonders for my wardrobe.
Some may argue that the fun I have eating out with my kids and friends is priceless. And I agree! And there are lots of special moments to celebrate – like the 50th birthdays of some of my kids! Yes! Let’s break the bank then. But as a general rule?
To answer that question, here’s one more personal anecdote:
Long ago I went out with a man who took me to a fancy-pants-restaurant. That was fun! But when I decided to take him out to reciprocate, I planned to have an evening chockful of adventure for what I estimated was less than his tip.
I took him to Chuck E. Cheese pizza parlor where we played arcade games and dined. At the time there was a dollar-fifty cinema in Cincinnati. We went there. Yes of course, with candy in my purse. Afterwards, we went to watch donuts being made at Krispy Kreme. We ate them hot out of the grease with our choice of beverage – white milk or chocolate. And that was fun too!
In the end, I would have preferred that he take the money required for the fancy-pants-meal and do two things with it:
- Buy me a moderately priced dinner somewhere.
- And give me a piece of jewelry as a souvenir of our time together.
Going back to that meal out with two of my kids that cost $150, I don’t regret spending the money, and I would do it again in a flash – indeed I have done it repeatedly. But let’s at least consider going to someplace like Five Guys for $20 a person. The total tab of $60 would save $90, and the kids can split that – $45 each. The cash they could walk away with gets more significant when we consider a meal out that includes their kids!
Genetically predisposed to frugality as I am, I think we should at least consider this.
Hey Dad! Stay put in your grave. I’m handling it!
*****
If you like my writing, I hope you will check out my new book, Chai on Life. It contains 36 slice-of-life stories ranging in topics from belly fat to Billy Joel. It is available wherever books are sold and on Amazon. There is even a companion journal for you to write the stories of your life.
Chai on Life is available in 3 formats: Hard Back, Kindle, and AudioBook.
And one last thing! Amazon has named me an Influencer (!!!!) and invited me to open a Storefront. You will find lots of my favorite things there including fun gifts for people who love to read. Check it out!
*****
(NOTE: I am an affiliate marketer on Amazon. If you click one of my Amazon links and make ANY purchase there, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Isn’t that cool? Thank you for supporting my writing in this manner. More details here.)
Great Blog with plenty to think about. Hmmmm
I didn’t mention in the story that I am trying to cut down on alcohol consumption. It’s actually kinda easy. I rarely drink at home and it’s too expensive to drink in restaurants!!
This one was stress inducing! I feel for the restaurants! And just generally, the public – life is expensive!!