To play Devil's Advocate here, for a reasonable segment of the population, cutting back to $35 for a meal does constitute cutting back, especially if making that meal at home replaces dining out one night. Feeding a family of 4 in a decent restaurant can easily cost $70 if you figure $15/person plus 20% tip (and I'm sure eating at that chef's restaurant would cost even more). If that family would change to eating at home for $35, that would represent a 50% savings for them. Sure, it might still seem extravagant to others, but savings is all relative. In the current economic climate, even those with higher incomes are looking for ways to cut back even if they aren't ready to go to a rice and beans menu. I'd say give them credit for paying more attention to their spending and making an effort to trim the budget even if it isn't to a bare bones level.
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Steve
* Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular.
* Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything?
* There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.
Last edited by disneysteve : 01-14-2009 at 05:41 AM.
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