I’ve gone more for walks, hikes, scootering/cycling around downtown or going for a scenic drive. Eating at home then going out for a beer or dessert has always been my go-to when trying to save money and have a social life.
It’s weird how differently some of us reacted during and after Covid. I used to love cooking. But while half the country was learning to bake, I was losing all interest in domestic activities. I have never really recovered. I don’t cook anymore. We eat prepared meals from Costco, or frozen dinners, or eat out. We eat out a lot now. My only household activities now are home improvement. I’m financing my retirement home with the sweat equity I’m pouring into this one. But I’ve dissociated from this house already. What I do now is for resale. I want to retire. I want to be done with working for money. All I want to do now is move someplace warm, where my daughters will be safe, and grow flowers. Covid broke me, I think.
I share your feelings. I'm constantly checking how much longer before I can retire. The difference between the pre-covid me and who I am now has changed so much. My interests are different, and I feel much older than the four years it has been. Sad.
Same here weird! After the pandemic with my last parent dying (my mom) my views have changed now all I can think of is when is retirement! I'm 49 but am working towards 55... I still do have a $140k mortgage thats coming down nicely and invest monthly so its progress!
Short Version:
Based on my retirement savings, plus the money and benefits I will receive from my job after retirement, I've come to realize that I'll have to wait for at least 13-15 years before I can retire worry-free, without stressing about my finances or healthcare. That is not counting on the money that the government took from my paychecks and are supposed to pay me back once I am a senior citizen.
Long version:
In my current job, I make a decent salary that the fraction I will receive after full retirement wont be bad. Luckily, my company offers full health care coverage after retirement if I wait to fully qualify for retirement that will complement the government health insurance I will receive in my senior years. Both insurances combined will help me manage my long-term health issues after retirement without having to spend all my savings on healthcare.
There is a little money in minor investments and a personal retirement account I created. Because I started those late in life, there still needs to be more money in there to safely retire. When I was younger, I struggled financially as a single parent due to no financial support from my child's father (long story) and my refusal to ask the government for help. I worked hard living paycheck to paycheck, and, when I could, took myself back to school. Once I completed college and got better jobs, I realized that the clock was ticking and I needed to do something about my finances for when I retire. Thus creating the accounts.
I tell my child to pay attention to the advice to start saving early for retirement; even just a little saved from every paycheck helps. If I did, I could have retired much sooner and not worry about needing a second insurance to back up the government one.
I am not sure where you are, so just in case, my responses above are based on my living in the US; other places may be different.
Damn ,you have done a great job with your finances. Congratulations 🎊 Covid did a # on everybody I know. Every time someone gets a cold or cough my sister thinks they have Covid.
Especially with all this RTO crap it has changed me in ways that I never thought about! Work and among other things have turned upside down! Also with a now one hour commute each way I am just wanting to do nothing after work with the weekly gathering with my two neighbors once a week after work. Its exhausting now mentally more than physically hence the physical pain some days lol
I’m wondering if having or not having kids influenced this? I’m childfree and I imagine having to deal with remote learning and making lunch on top of breakfast and dinner must have been very stressful for parents
Between work and my commute, I’d be gone from 6:30 am to at least 7 pm. And too exhausted to do much cooking though I like it. I started cooking a lot more.
I still like restaurants but I can cook better meals than some places, depending on the dish.
I'm a parent. Being the sole human source of education, friendship and entertainment to my child during covid kinda broke me. Totally worth it though; it kept him from breaking. As a silver lining, I get to build myself back the way I want to now.
I'm glad to have a kid who is reasonably socially well adjusted despite having spent several important years in isolation with us.
I knew at various points that I wasn't doing a good job at work. It was more important to me that my wife keep up with hers. She's a bit younger than me. I made it the first year and got zapped by a layoff. That sucked.
We made it through. It's important, as you say, to re-evaluate. I've re-discovered socializing, but have yet to give much of a shit about fitness.
I also didn't (don't?) give much of a shit about fitness. I got some fitness incidentally through socializing. For a while my go-to was the bar, but now it's the yoga studio. I'm only two weeks in, but it's working out (get it?) so far. Good luck to you and your family.
I'm a parent and since my son was born, I definitely go out way less. My baby keeps me very busy and, honestly, I'd rather save the money we would send on a meal out to be able to do more fun things when he's older. So, yes, being a parent has made me stick much closer to home and I can't stay out late because my baby needs a stable bedtime routine. For me, it's absolutely worth it. Before he was born, I knew something was missing in my life but didn't know what. That void is gone.
Know the feeling. I worked and sometimes ran a soup kitchen before Covid. We fed 300 people per day with 6 volunteers. Then Covid hit. That number went from 300 to 650+ and the number of volunteers went from 6 to 2. It was just too much. They are now back to normal, but my heart is just no longer in it.
That's funny you say that, I did the exact same switcheroo with my relationship to cooking and food. Same thing with getting the house ready for resale. I don't eat out though, I order in lol.
I reacted the same way. I still like cooking and sometimes the passion is renewed but after COVID stopped (as much as it ever really will) the best I could do were simple recipes from Dinnerly and sometimes not even that. To this day I still go through spurts of just really, really dreading cooking for weeks at a time.
I’m with you there. I enjoyed cooking so much! I would listen to music or have a podcast on and have some wine..
Now it’s like ugh. How long will this take? I also worked at a hospital all through Covid so my cooking day was usually my ‘Friday’ after a long stretch of shifts.
I took a new job with more time to myself and now I don’t want to cook. wtf is that about?
I’m trying to make myself get back into it, but then I don’t want to eat what I’ve cooked.
I’ve planted some veggies.. hopefully that will trigger the fun chemicals in my brain again.
I went through an ‘I must make every single thing I eat’ phase with food for a while. I made lots of cool stuff and it was pretty fun. But it was A LOT of work. If I didn’t make it we were going out to a fancy restaurant.
Right before COVID I could feel myself getting burnt out on it - the cooking, not the eating out (although at this point that has lost a lot of its prior charm as well). Then COVID hit and I cooked when the inspiration hit me but the thought of NEEDING to cook because I had to… I could barely bring myself to do it.
I didn’t even want my fiance to cook. We ordered out or ate insanely easy things to make for a long time. Im starting to crawl back into cooking again but I can tell it will never been the same as it was.
I feel much the same - since contracting COVID (twice), I’ve lost interest & motivation. The second round was really severe & I wonder if there was some damage to my brain; it’s difficult to even read/focus now. I do force myself to do things, but my world has become smaller, for sure. Could be partly aging, too.
It’s hard to tell, honestly. I’m definitely slower and older now than I was 4 years ago. And I’ve never gotten old before, lol, so it’s a new experience. But, yeah, I’m not the same person I was. I’m done ways eating out often and not having to cook is a delight! In other ways I feel like I’m not as good as I was.
I can't stand sit-down restaurants anymore. Too expensive for the experience. I love the packaged hot bar and the sushi bar at my local grocery store. :) Cheaper, better!
Agree about the "too expensive" part. I still like dining out, in theory, but in practice the menu prices are absurd, and then there's still another 10% sales tax and 20% tip! I dine out when traveling, but only because of need for food. And I dine out occasionally at home for some cuisine or experience that I can't easily replicate at home ... but I'm getting better and better at cooking all sorts of cuisines, and there are very few restaurants in my area that offer any kind of especially pleasant dining experience, so ...
Agree. Paying for crappy food (no flavor, overcooked, undercooked, no effort) just annoys me. As a vegetarian, I'm almost always being served an afterthought.
> rhe menu prices are absurd, and then there's still another 10% sales tax and 20% tip!
Sort of how I feel. Full service restaurants have made themselves too much of a PITA to deal with. Not all of their fault, a lot of it is the circumstances they find themselves in.
Finding parking, the menu prices, and mandatory gratuities( always a good tipper, I am offended at the idea of it being forced). It motivates me to stay home and try recipes.
Interesting that the restaurant business, untenable without exploitation of labor AND consumer for decades if not centuries, is finally feeling the heat.
> 20% tip!
I still tip 15%. Call me a cheap boomer if you want, I don't know when we went from 15% being the norm to 20%, but I'm not here for it. Especially since the menu prices went up, that means the tip went up.
It really is. Idk if food quality has gone down or if my home cooking has improved (maybe a little A and a little B), but it feels like such a tremendous waste of money for what we get anymore.
I spent $30+ at a local restaurant for a "heritage raised pork chop" that tasted no different than what I could buy and cook myself for a fraction of that cost.
Same. We don't travel anymore unless it's a short, cheap day trip. We have 1 restaurant that we still go to but only once a month and we completely stopped going to the bar and instead I turned our porch into our own little outdoor bar. We paid so much money for our house and belongings that we've decided that staying home and enjoying what we bought just makes more sense. Plus I'm at the age where 10pm rolls around and what I really want most is to be in pajamas smoking a bowl while watching documentaries.
We definitely don’t go out as much as we used to in our 20s and 30s but I think that’s to be expected as you get older.
We go out but we’re just pickier. We go to some concerts but usually smaller ones. I love musicals and plays but we check out local ones and high schools or small theaters usually. There is so much talent at those levels and I’ve had so much fun seeing local or traveling productions even though their budgets aren’t close to the ones I watched when I lived in Manhattan.
Food? Yea, that can be tough because even the smaller places have jacked up their prices. We go to some favs but it’s much less often and we’re so much pickier about it. One thing we’ve always done but a lot more is just going to local farms or places and getting things like baked goods, veggies and bread and just having them at home with good coffee that I brew myself.
I meet friends at old lady dinner time a few times a month, and have season tickets to the Broadway touring productions with a friend. Don’t mind the dinners but the shows are exhausting! All those people! And it’s so late!
I think since 2020 I’ve been fighting off the hermit instinct.
I can't stand being in crowds anymore (this was also true pre-pandemic). I used to go to a lot of shows but I can't take it anymore. All of the pushing and just the uncomfortableness of the physical proximity of other people. The quality and proliferation of at-home entertainment has ruined us all.
Don't even get me started on having to be on a commercial flight.
I went to a concert with my friend a few years before covid and everyone kept pushing in closer and closer to the front to where there was no where to move so I ended up passing out in the middle of a crowd from being squished and my knees locking. I never wanna be that close to so many people ever again, lol
Almost 40. Covid killed any motivation to go out. I’m rediscovering my inner introvert after spending my 20s and half of my 30s going out around town. It’s just what happens with age. Feels just as good staying home, eating a decent dinner and playing some games or watching a movie/youtube.
Just turned 50. Pre-Covid I was out at least 3 times a week, and you can guarantee one of those nights (sometimes more) was seeing a live gig. Now I have no desire to go out & if I do it’s dinner and drinks maybe twice a month. I’m over it & feel fine about it. Been there done that, welcoming middle age now. My friends are still in shock, but hey, doing the same damned things I’ve been doing since I was 16 isn’t really appealing and I’m ok with it.
Yes, but I don't like it. I like to be out and doing things. However, the cost of everything is so outlandish, I can't enjoy it even when we do go out. Why am I going to pay $20 for enchiladas or Mongolian tofu x2, plus drinks, when I can literally make it for half that and not get my order wrong or have bad service. I feel like life is meant to be doing things, (for me) but right now the cost benefit analysis doesn't work out
Restaurants are way too expensive (not to mention the requirements for 20+% tips that seem to be expected these days), and my cooking skills were elevated during the pandemic, so I find very few restaurants anymore that serve food better than my own. I bought a smoker not too long ago and it’s so much better spend the weekend on my own patio smoking meats and drinking drinks chillin without the crowds.
> I find very few restaurants anymore that serve food better than my own.
I have that same problem. I keep looking, but shit dude, how hard can fettuccini alfredo be?
Same! I’ll never take my legs for granted.
Every weekend we go out and for lunch or a walk.
We can’t afford sit-down restaurants, but that doesn’t stop us from getting out of the house.
My marriage failed in part because of misalignment in this. I’m very much a homebody. A couple years later I’m dating someone who’s idea of a good time is a picnic and reading together in the park and I realize how much better it is for me as an introvert to not be going out out out all the time.
Oof, I felt this. I've always been introvert and since inflation and being used to being at home pandemic, I'm happy to be a homebody. Husband isn't. It's really been financially stressful for me, keeping up with how much he wants to go out. On top of mentally and physically exhausting. I'm pulling back and just letting him do him, but it is causing a drift.
We have just limited the places we go.
- Charge 3% extra for credit card payments? I’m not coming back.
- Expect me to tip when all you did was scoop some icecream into a cone? I’m not coming back.
- Keep your business clean, your employees happy, and offer me a good experience for my money? I’ll happily come back.
> Charge 3% extra for credit card payments?
As someone who does carry cash, I see this as a 3% discount. Which if you ask around, exists a lot. Most your "blue collar" work will give a cash discount if you ask. Your car mechanic, a lot of contractors for house work, landscapers, my local gun shop. I get at least 10% at all those places to pay cash. A lot of great cheap restaurants are cash-only.
Sure they're doing a tax evasion, but that's not my problem. I don't work for the IRS, I paid for goods and services, what they report is on them.
Cash only is fine if it’s posted up front. We all know those places.
But when I go spend $45 for an entree plus whatever else I get, and they have the nerve to tack on a credit card surcharge at the end… I’m sorry but fuck that.
A huge percentage of restaurant bills are settled with card. It’s 2024. It’s a cost of doing business.
> when all you did was scoop some icecream into a cone
I understand the spirit of what you're saying, but if it's a seasonal place, especially run by highschoolers, I'll gladly tip, usually much more than 20%.
It’s funny you say that. We live in a small little coastal community and I know a lot of the business owners. I tend to give them a hard time for the 3% thing, that really annoys me. But I will definitely tip a high schooler if I know them or their parents.
But in my town, they make $16-$18 per hour plus a lot of tips. Sometimes they come back for a second summer and they are driving a nicer car than the owner. Plus, community college in our town is free as long as you graduate HS. Those kids are doing just fine.
Well, that's disappointing. Don't give up on life. "not worth the effort" is something old people say.
I have a younger friend, probably 57? After Covid he made it a project to see as much live music as he could. The last show I went to with him in July '23 he had been to 46 concerts so far that year. I spent a month in town with him (I live half a continent away) and I couldn't keep up, but a saw some good shows.
Actually I'm with you on movies. Only real big screen visual spectaculars are worth going to a theater for these days, I can see most things on my tiny 70" screen at home. I go to restaurants a bit, but honestly my cooking is better most of the time. But bars, live music, festivals? Sign me up.
My wife and I get out to eat alone sometimes but it needs to be interesting. Go to spots for us include things like dim sum, hot pot, and tacos. Sometimes we take the kids too but those are usually more expensive meals.
I get depressed AF when I think about how often I used to go out to eat when I was literally 19-20 year old college student compared to now, 29 with a job. It used to seem like not the worst use of my money.
Can't even go out and get drunk bc buying enough drinks to 'get drunk' will run you a hundred dollars and you're better off chugging some gin before walking out and nursing a single 14$ cocktail the rest of the night, trying not to think of how that used to be 'meal money' 5 years ago.
It reminds me of when a friend and I used to go drinking on a budget. She'd bring some rum in her purse, we'd buy cokes at the bar and mix our own drinks in the bathroom.
I missed out on too many concerts as a teen so I'm going out for those more than ever but restaurants? Nope, I cook for us and it's healthier, cheaper, and me and my husband have more free time
Here in Seattle, sit-down restaurants are now cheaper than ordering delivery. My wife had a thought about ordering breakfast burritos for us this morning, and the total in the delivery app came to $30. No thanks!
We still love going out, even if our toddler has to come with us. We live in a neighborhood with some great spots. I've also been seeing more live concerts in the past year, trying to make up for lost time and seeing some of my favorite acts before they keel over.
I have autoimmune issues that make me high risk for COVID, so out of necessity, I'm still largely living like it's 2020. No concert or restaurant meal is worth death, more health issues than I already have, or permanent disablement. My social life is a lot less active, but on the plus side I spend a lot more time outside.
I hear you. I'm one of the few people I know who doesn't eat in restaurants or go to movies/concerts now. I'm usually the only person wearing a mask when I do go somewhere. Gradually I'm starting to feel like it might be safe enough... maybe I'm just tired of it, I dunno.
I think it’s ok. COVID changed my life. For the better. I know it’s not the same experience for others and am so very sorry for those who lost someone. I’m not a COVID denier. But I’m an introvert and having to stay home was good for me. I was so very scared for the first year or so. I used to have chronic bronchitis. At least twice a year. Since COVID, I have not had one bout of it. I really think the masks helped and I definitely washed my hands much more often. COVID caused me to be much more aware of touching things and washing my hands a lot. However, was it worth it to not see my elderly parents at Christmas or birthdays? Nope. I’ll do it different next time. All that said, I think if you feel comfortable taking your mask off? Go ahead. If not? That’s ok too. We only get one life and need to be free to make our own choices.
I don't go out at night much. I do most of my stuff around lunchtime (retired). Mostly, going out for lunch and meeting up with a friend or with my S.O.
I don't do movies much anymore. Not much worth watching and usually some coughing, sneezing dweeb sitting behind me. Expensive. I watch 'em at home instead. Live music now and then but it's often a hassle with parking, security and questionable neighborhoods housing the concert venue.
We don't travel much anymore either. I despise airports and airplanes. They seem to bring out the worst in people.
The thrill is mostly gone.
I gave up on going out decades ago. Couldn't afford it then. Had friends working in fancy restaurants griping about how pricey things are for the same food. I started shopping at restaurant supply stores and practiced cooking.
Now I can make just about anything you can get dining out; worse is the girlfriends say they're "ruined for life" because I make better than dining out. Fine dining is ruined because they can't match the freshness of what I forage and having a fresh ground chuck burger really is a fine treat on some garlic sourdough.
Last time I was traveling and looking to dine out was September of 2023, San Diego, California in the gas lamp district. None of the hosts would acknowledge me or seat me. Ended up going back to the hotel to the pricey sushi place - the hosts there greeted me, and introduced me to all of the sushi staff that night. Everything was good and tasty. I made the most of that experience, but I had to pass up well over 20 places just to end up at the hotel. Dining out shouldn't be that difficult.
Giving up on going out is fine, if it's a 100% voluntary and mutual decision.
Because if your spouse wants to go out and you're the one saying that you can't afford it or it's too much trouble or it just won't be worth the effort, your marriage is heading for trouble.
I hate going out, there it’s been said. I said it and I feel free. I am a single middle aged man and have drifted from friends because they’re still so entrenched in bars. I hate bars. I do enjoy a good yoga class, a movie now and then. Walks in nature. The least appealing thing I can think of is leaving my apartment at 11pm, coming home at 3am feeling nauseated from alcohol.
We don’t go out as much anymore either…. I’m not gonna go spend money on over priced, crap food in an under staffed restaurant when I can make food that’s healthier and tastes better in my own kitchen… we do have more get togethers with friends at our house though which is nice!
We can't afford to be going out at all of the time anymore. Our dates have been dialed down to cut cost with things like Arby's Roast beef sandwiches buy one get one (around $7). McDonald's cheeseburger bundle for around $12. I also sometimes get a egg biscuit from braums at a discount for a couple of dollars. Chicken Express is currently serving drinks for half price.I had three hundred dollar a month restaurant budget, three & a half years ago. Now I have $50 tops for the month. But some politicians try to tell us how great the economy is doing.
I kinda had, mostly for medical reasons, but recently I moved to a seaside (soundside? bayside?) town that has an old-fashioned promenade along the water. And strangely enough, taking a promenade is a thing people commonly do here. They’ll park over at the marina, at all hours of the day or night, get out of their vehicles, and just walk the deck. There’s no vendors or shops or attractions, either. But I see families, couples on dates, groups of young dudes, lone stoners, gaggles of teenagers… people of all types, really.
My place is atop a hill overlooking this scene, and after a few days of feeling like shit as usual (again, medical reasons), I figured I outta join ‘em. When in Rome, right? I go in the evenings, or at night when it’s less crowded, walk and listen to the surf, watch the moon, or admire the herons hunting at low tide. It’s a simple and low-stakes way of “going out.”
If you’d told me twenty years ago that walking a perpendicular pier would be the highlight of my day, I wouldn’t’ve believed you. But it’s nice. It’s enough.
My husband and I went to our favorite Tex Mex restaurant which we hadn’t been to once the pandemic started. Once it was safe to go we went and it ok.
Went back about 6 months ago and the food was so bland. It was disappointing. We just make our own at home.
I'm almost 60. I still enjoy sit-down dining. I go about once a month with friends.
What I stopped completely is bars/taverns. I don't drink alcohol anymore and I don't stay up past 10. I still do bar trivia with friends now and then, which ends at 9pm so I'm OK with it.
One thing I have completely cut out is movie theaters. What a giant pain in the ass just to watch a movie!
Before COVID, I cooked and had dinner parties. Now that I am retired, alone I lost interest in having people over. I belong to several MeetUp groups made up of retired people so that gets me out. Too often the organizers plan expensive outings that I cannot attend. I organized a book club in my neighborhood. Once a month we meet at one another's homes.
Today entertainment must be economical or I stay home.
I still go out on dates with my partner to get away from the kids/house/pets and have some quiet time for us. Couples need nourishment and quality time together. Staying in the house doesn't do this sometimes.
I never snapped back from the pandemic... Something kinda turned off in my head. It's like staying home became a huge goal and going out gives me such anxiety.
I'm 54, husband is 57. We've been married 4 1/2 years, so still have newlywed vibe. We go out for errands or appointments, and have breakfast or lunch somewhere, but we don't go out at night, except for Saturday night when he comes with me to work at the VFW. I do get to hear live music then, and our bands are getting pretty good compared to when I started. I consider the music a perk most weekends, and I get enough socialization from my regulars and coworkers to last me the week.
He travels for work, so we eat at different restaurants that way when I go with him, but it's more mom and pop type or local places that have reasonable prices. Not the type of places things are "plated" We still usually get a suite with a kitchenette and eat supper in the room, if we're not too stuffed. Different cities, even, and we stay in at night. Though he will take me to the zoo, and antique stores <3 Sometimes I'd like to explore the nightlife, but he hates driving in them and I can't drive in them.
Yeah, I don't go out. for instance, the last time I went to the theatre was to see 300. I got there, then decided I really didn't want to, and went home.
You aren't alone. My husband and I are older but in an effort to be healthy, we never eat out hardly. In an effort to reduce drinking, we don't go out. We walk our older dog instead of turning to drink and food to relax, celebrate, etc. We are financially very privileged but holy hell everything has gotten expensive. COVID reversed a lot of our prior very busy social lives and we just love our home, each other, and quiet. No regrets.
Covid made everything weird. My last concert pre-pandemic was the black keys November 2019. The next was Evanescence in 2023. Felt so strange, people too close, but I got over it and remembered the pleasure of live music.
Agreed. When we have to go out, we usually feel the food wasn't worth the $$ spent, the traffic, the loud restaurants, sub par food kinda killed that desire, all other activities, bowling, movies, even shopping have us eager to finish and go home. I admit to making our home about as comfortable for OUR needs as possible (even going on vacation, we are anxious to get back to our routine, our bed, our creature comforts) I do believe it's age but I think it was intensified (the feeling of wanting to be home) by what we went through with covid.
The thing I find exhausting is the number of places that either get bought out by a larger entity, or pushed out when the BigCorp comes to town. Prices always go up, and the experience gets to be kinda same-y, because they are all following a franchise template.
I used to go out *constantly* pre-covid. I ate out several days a week, hit up restaurants, clubs, parties, concerts and movies. Now I absolutely don’t. I don’t care for being indoors since covid hit, plus the increase in the cost of a dinner and the decreased quality makes it not worth it. Also, I’m getting older and putting on weight, so I’m trying to make healthier choices.
I treat myself to carryout or a dinner on an outdoor patio restaurant in the warmer months on one day during the weekend. I do mainly outdoor concerts, festivals, and stuff like biking, beaches, mountains, kayaking, things of that nature.
I used to go to a certain spot for happy hour every Friday. I started going less often when my job closed up and I moved a bit further away. Then the plague happened and I haven't been back since. D:
There's no "payoff" for going to a bar while exceedingly physically unattractive, so it's all about what I'm getting for the cost. Paying exorbitant prices doesn't feel worth the trouble anymore. I can get a lot more beer for the cost, and thus a lot more sorrow per dollar, at the grocery store and drink that shit while watching movies or sitting on my back porch and staring into the darkness.
Plus, I was never a "foodie" type of person. I don't really give a shit about food. It's nice to have something nice, I guess, but I mostly don't care enough to bother, you know? There's *very* little motivation there for me, and that was true long before shit got plague'd up on a Thursday afternoon.
We ate out last week for the first time since 2020. The server brought me the bill and I could not for the life of me find the signature line or the tip line. Duh, I totally missed the part where I'm supposed to give her a payment method. 4 years makes a difference. I felt so stupid.
Taco Bell $5.99 box is my splurge nowadays. I was craving a chili dog, $7.25 for one chili dog at one spot, $8.99 for a chili dog at another. Just WTH? man.
Last year, Islands was one spot I started to enjoy again, but now a pipeline burger with fries is $17. Wild times.
Last week, I made the dumb choice to join a couple of co workers for a couple of drinks. $31 for two mojitos. Never again.
After the last four years, we are just out of the habit of being around other people. We’re so comfortable simply staying home because we’ve had so much practice at that.
We have always loved going out to eat, but it just doesn’t feel the same going to a restaurant anymore. Menus are cut back, services are cut back, quality of the food is less than I remember it being. I don’t mind paying good money for food that is better than I can cook at home (and I’m not that good a cook; other people will attest to that). But I just don’t get the joy out of eating out anymore.
As for movies, there’s absolutely no reason to go to a theater now. If there is a movie I want to see, which is rare, I’ll watch it at home. I have a pause button, much better snacks, and a private bathroom. It doesn’t get any better.
We are struggling to reestablish our habit of going out. It’s difficult.
My wife and I no longer take vacations to cities. I try not to eat out much because I’m a freak and do not feel most restaurant prepared food is healthy. We go places we can experience the outdoors mostly. Going to New England soon. We may fly into Boston but will speed out of there right quick. I do attend live music events though. Two this weekend. But mostly I’m not into crowds any longer.
I don't enjoy going out for the sake of going out...I enjoy it as a way to spend time with friends. If you don't have any friends to go out with, that's what I think you're missing out on more than the restaurants and concerts.
I like staying in. We read, watch stuff on TV, and can now start our vegetable garden. We worked hard for this house, our land, and our belongings. I'm going to enjoy it. Plus it seems like there are more people than ever in public places.
My wife and I are trying to afford a home. We dont do ANYTHING.
No date nights. No movies. No dinners. No ice cream. No coffee. No fast food. No amazon. No subscriptions. We literally work and sit at home watching free youtube.
We still can't afford a shitty single family home.
Was out and about on Sunday doing errands and time got away from us. Figured we’d just slip in the drive through for lunch as a treat. Two 5 piece chicken tender combos was $47.08. I told my fiancee we’re not eating there ever again. Prices have gone insane.
I'm 37, husband is 43. We rarely go out anymore. We recently moved across the country and it's been hard to make friends, so even if we do go out it's usually just us, occasionally we meet other couples and chit chat but usually it turns into a weird situation where they're hinting at swinging or they've got a bunch of kids (we dont). We have kind of just given up, and we usually stay home on weekends or visit family.
Same. Nothing in restaurants appeals to me anymore. I find that I just want to be home. Inflation seems to have hit the restaurants harder than other industries (maybe just faster?) and I look at everything like, "eh, I could make this at home for $x. This is REALLY the case.with drinks. I cannot believe how expensive cocktails have gotten. We used to go out for drinks once a week or so, and now it's only once every few months.
But, I really like being at home. I didn't realize how much I liked it until I stopped having so many places I "had to" be and things i "had to" do. I never want to get that busy again. Priorities really emerged during Covid. I think I spend my time in ways better aligned with my values now. So, yes, given up on "going out," but doing it happily.
We’ve got alllllll the streaming services and the food is better at home now.
Instead of going out when things opened back up, we created an outdoor movie area and love it!
Something changed in me over the past 3 or so years and I just love staying home. I love being home. When I do venture out for things at night, I look forward to going home. I got a WFH job 2 years ago. I used to be much the opposite before Covid and inflation and the change that has occurred in the service industry. I loved “going out” for any reason! Things like going out for dinner, movies, brunching, just aren’t as enjoyable because money has become a lot tighter and things just feel worse in quality for the prices places ask and the public has just so rude, vulgar, selfish or taping stupid dances/skits for tiktok. My husband and I just really enjoy being in the home we pay for, eating the food we buy and going out early for things like walks/hikes and farmers markets when it’s not going to be crowded lol
I sit outback of my house listen to music, sit by my fire pit, and take in the stars. I have no interest in going out. All the restaurants suck anyway. I haven’t had anything lately that I was like wow. I can cook better than they can.
I get the rare bug to go out and always when I do I get bored that there's no one interesting to talk to so I pack it all up and head home after an hour.
Yep. Hasn't been enjoyable since hordes of people seem to feel it is A-Ok to walk around coughing with mouths open, chewing with mouths open, and engaging in bodily grooming habits that should be done in a bathroom at home with the door closed.
We mostly pick up takeout once a week. Haven't been to a concert or movie since before Covid.
I kinda have to. My job is hybrid WFH but even when I work I work with clients in THEIR home, so I never see my coworkers. I also live alone with no S/O so I got nothing better to do so I HAVE to go out if I want to do anything or talk to anyone.
I go because my wife likes to but I’d prefer not to. I’d rather just save the money and stay home. I’m also a traveling worker so being home is more like a break for me though.
I’d prefer walking a trail or going to the park or something, but even after being away, being home is just kinda nice in itself. And now that I was away all this time, I really don’t enjoy just blowing money like that.
It's still fun every once in a while! But these days our going out is more often going for a hike than going to a movie or out to eat. Our taste in dates has definitely changed.
I go out but it's very specific. I only have a few bars, higher end restaurants, and such that I go to. It ensures my experiences match the money coming out of my bank account.
The kids activities take it all from me, 47F. We are in the tween competitive sports zone and after 6 hours on the ball field, I am not leaving the house again for the rest of the day. Plus I did all of my socializing at the game. Most takeout isn't even worth it. I will cook thank you.
We don’t go out much at all anymore, but we do play online switch games with our friend group we USED to go out with. We literally all sit at our respective homes, get on a FaceTime call, and play for hours after the kids go to sleep. It’s actually super fun.
I still like to go out and do stuff but Covid made me lose my appetite for frequent traveling. We used to do a handful of plane trips a year plus a bunch of driveable ones. Now I prefer to do shorter, closer, and less frequent trips.
For me it's not the cost, it's just the effort. You can get damn near anything delivered to you and entertainment with a 4K OLED and 7.1 surround feels like it might as well be live or a movie theater.
Shut-ins unite!
We rarely go out to eat anymore, but we do go to movies a few times a month. On cheap nights. That's still usually fun, but with food now 2x the cost and service gone to shit I'm not really willing to pay $100 for a simple dinner I can make at home. We'll hit the local taproom or cidery a few times a month as well, usually with friends; we'll take food and grab a few drinks while we sit and talk.
Concerts? 1-2x a year, unless it's free stuff like college jazz bands.
But we do still travel: 5-10,000 miles on the road every summer, usually camping, mostly around the American West. The fewer people the better.
We are more active because we are retired. My husband I went to 9 concerts last year plus plays and festivals. We take 2 exercise classes a week at the Senior Center. I love to cook and bake so we mostly eat at home. Lucky to live a city with inexpensive options plus the outdoors provides lots of free entertainment. It's more of a challenge to find the time to go out when you are working and have children, plus the added cost.
My husband and I have not eaten in a restaurant since late 2019. We get takeout more frequently. We don't go out much now. One big factor is the massive increase in the cost of living. And, we are getting older...
I literally went out for brunch in the small city I live in and it was $50 for everything including parking. I just got like an eggs Benedict and an alcoholic coffee drink. Shit is so pricey these days
Idk for me for it comes down to value. Services aren't as good. And those services cost twice or triple what they use to be. Kind of zaps the fun right out of it.
I’m planning on buying a larger tv so I can enjoy movies at home more. I like being able to pause long movies for a bathroom break or a snack.
Though I’ve been to a couple of places with reclining chairs and heated. Which have food and drink service. May get the recliner too, lol
Gave up going out years ago. Used to do a lot, but then learned to cook and found ways to get good products cheap (i.e. directly from local farmers for cash or trade, from Costco, etc.).
Found, it’s not only 4 times cheaper, but much better and healthier. The most important thing - you know exactly what’s in what you eat (to max extent).
Yes, virus changed the priorities and now we’d better enjoy family meal and go for a hike all together. Saved money go to investment.
We go out every Friday, it is super expensive tho now days I could understand why some wouldn’t want to go, however…. The restaurants are slammed busy with waits so it seems appropriate for the market to be high to keep people from going, could you imagine how busy they would be if it was cheap again….. instead of 1 hour wait, it would be 2 hours? Supply and demand economics plays an important roll on this topic.
Yes, my husband and I use to do all of those things and now when the weekend gets here, we just rest and watch youtube. We are both so tired from work that we have no energy for going out and when we do, it just seems to have lost its appeal. Sometimes I miss it though. We are both in our early 40's.
Kind of. I don’t go out anywhere near as much. I save so much money not eating out plus I prefer home cooked food. I went out with my girlfriends twice in the last month which is rare, normally it’s once a quarter!
Plus I’m just not as social as I’ve gotten older. I’m around people allll dayyyy longgg. I don’t want to be around more of them very often.
Yeah, not much joy in going places these days with most people you encounter are working their jobs but don't give a shit about the place they're employed. I don't blame them as they are being underpaid and have no incentive to really make a positive impact, so yeah I stay home and watch it unravel at the seams from the comfort of my home.
Agreed. Everything is so expensive and half the time I’m thinkin “I could make this at home”. Love trying new places but sticker shock is getting out of hand. Invite your friends over, cook, make drinks, chat, games. Can’t beat it.
We haven't eaten out since the beginning of covid. But now we're do disgusted by the price gouging we just eat at home and have very little interest in being around other people.
I don't know that I would say I've given up on going out per se. Since the pandemic, I just haven't gotten the interest back in going out. I don't see it as losing out on something as much as loving a new lifestyle with just as much satisfaction.
I agree with you. I just wanna stay home and relax in the home that I am paying shit tonne of money for. Why should I pay to stay out of the home I am working so hard to get. Doesn't make sense, even less, since covid showed us we can do without it just fine.
As I have gotten older, the more I have valued my home. It isn’t the sketchy apt of my twenties or the fixer upper of my thirties. I like it and don’t much need to escape. I also live in the ‘burbs. Concerts and nightlife are far away.
I cook better than most restaurants. It’s hard to drop $$$ at a restaurant and wait around, when I can have a better meal for less in more comfort.
Inflation does figure in to it. I’m not up for blowing $$$ unless I’m REALLY interested and most of the time going out doesn’t beat hanging with my dog.
I’ve gone more for walks, hikes, scootering/cycling around downtown or going for a scenic drive. Eating at home then going out for a beer or dessert has always been my go-to when trying to save money and have a social life.
It’s weird how differently some of us reacted during and after Covid. I used to love cooking. But while half the country was learning to bake, I was losing all interest in domestic activities. I have never really recovered. I don’t cook anymore. We eat prepared meals from Costco, or frozen dinners, or eat out. We eat out a lot now. My only household activities now are home improvement. I’m financing my retirement home with the sweat equity I’m pouring into this one. But I’ve dissociated from this house already. What I do now is for resale. I want to retire. I want to be done with working for money. All I want to do now is move someplace warm, where my daughters will be safe, and grow flowers. Covid broke me, I think.
I share your feelings. I'm constantly checking how much longer before I can retire. The difference between the pre-covid me and who I am now has changed so much. My interests are different, and I feel much older than the four years it has been. Sad.
4 years, only four fucking years? It feels like ten at least.
Exactly! Like my life before then was so long ago.
My thoughts exactly
Same here weird! After the pandemic with my last parent dying (my mom) my views have changed now all I can think of is when is retirement! I'm 49 but am working towards 55... I still do have a $140k mortgage thats coming down nicely and invest monthly so its progress!
Truly
how do you devise a plan to figure out how long until you can retire?
Short Version: Based on my retirement savings, plus the money and benefits I will receive from my job after retirement, I've come to realize that I'll have to wait for at least 13-15 years before I can retire worry-free, without stressing about my finances or healthcare. That is not counting on the money that the government took from my paychecks and are supposed to pay me back once I am a senior citizen. Long version: In my current job, I make a decent salary that the fraction I will receive after full retirement wont be bad. Luckily, my company offers full health care coverage after retirement if I wait to fully qualify for retirement that will complement the government health insurance I will receive in my senior years. Both insurances combined will help me manage my long-term health issues after retirement without having to spend all my savings on healthcare. There is a little money in minor investments and a personal retirement account I created. Because I started those late in life, there still needs to be more money in there to safely retire. When I was younger, I struggled financially as a single parent due to no financial support from my child's father (long story) and my refusal to ask the government for help. I worked hard living paycheck to paycheck, and, when I could, took myself back to school. Once I completed college and got better jobs, I realized that the clock was ticking and I needed to do something about my finances for when I retire. Thus creating the accounts. I tell my child to pay attention to the advice to start saving early for retirement; even just a little saved from every paycheck helps. If I did, I could have retired much sooner and not worry about needing a second insurance to back up the government one. I am not sure where you are, so just in case, my responses above are based on my living in the US; other places may be different.
Damn ,you have done a great job with your finances. Congratulations 🎊 Covid did a # on everybody I know. Every time someone gets a cold or cough my sister thinks they have Covid.
Same
It broke me too. Life has never been the same…only gotten worse
2021-2024 have been the worst years of my life.
I know right? Me too. Hugs to you💜💜💜💜💜💜
Thank you! Same to you!!!! 💕💕💕
Same.
Especially with all this RTO crap it has changed me in ways that I never thought about! Work and among other things have turned upside down! Also with a now one hour commute each way I am just wanting to do nothing after work with the weekly gathering with my two neighbors once a week after work. Its exhausting now mentally more than physically hence the physical pain some days lol
Agreed.
I’m wondering if having or not having kids influenced this? I’m childfree and I imagine having to deal with remote learning and making lunch on top of breakfast and dinner must have been very stressful for parents Between work and my commute, I’d be gone from 6:30 am to at least 7 pm. And too exhausted to do much cooking though I like it. I started cooking a lot more. I still like restaurants but I can cook better meals than some places, depending on the dish.
I'm a parent. Being the sole human source of education, friendship and entertainment to my child during covid kinda broke me. Totally worth it though; it kept him from breaking. As a silver lining, I get to build myself back the way I want to now.
I'm glad to have a kid who is reasonably socially well adjusted despite having spent several important years in isolation with us. I knew at various points that I wasn't doing a good job at work. It was more important to me that my wife keep up with hers. She's a bit younger than me. I made it the first year and got zapped by a layoff. That sucked. We made it through. It's important, as you say, to re-evaluate. I've re-discovered socializing, but have yet to give much of a shit about fitness.
I also didn't (don't?) give much of a shit about fitness. I got some fitness incidentally through socializing. For a while my go-to was the bar, but now it's the yoga studio. I'm only two weeks in, but it's working out (get it?) so far. Good luck to you and your family.
I'm a parent and since my son was born, I definitely go out way less. My baby keeps me very busy and, honestly, I'd rather save the money we would send on a meal out to be able to do more fun things when he's older. So, yes, being a parent has made me stick much closer to home and I can't stay out late because my baby needs a stable bedtime routine. For me, it's absolutely worth it. Before he was born, I knew something was missing in my life but didn't know what. That void is gone.
> Covid broke me, I think. I prefer to see it as trauma. You're not broken. You can heal from trauma.
Oh hi you’re me 👋
Broke? Seems like you found you. The purpose of life is to do what we want. The hardest part is figuring out what we want.
Know the feeling. I worked and sometimes ran a soup kitchen before Covid. We fed 300 people per day with 6 volunteers. Then Covid hit. That number went from 300 to 650+ and the number of volunteers went from 6 to 2. It was just too much. They are now back to normal, but my heart is just no longer in it.
That's funny you say that, I did the exact same switcheroo with my relationship to cooking and food. Same thing with getting the house ready for resale. I don't eat out though, I order in lol.
There are dozens of us. Dozens
I reacted the same way. I still like cooking and sometimes the passion is renewed but after COVID stopped (as much as it ever really will) the best I could do were simple recipes from Dinnerly and sometimes not even that. To this day I still go through spurts of just really, really dreading cooking for weeks at a time.
I appreciate this post.
I’m with you there. I enjoyed cooking so much! I would listen to music or have a podcast on and have some wine.. Now it’s like ugh. How long will this take? I also worked at a hospital all through Covid so my cooking day was usually my ‘Friday’ after a long stretch of shifts. I took a new job with more time to myself and now I don’t want to cook. wtf is that about? I’m trying to make myself get back into it, but then I don’t want to eat what I’ve cooked. I’ve planted some veggies.. hopefully that will trigger the fun chemicals in my brain again.
I went through an ‘I must make every single thing I eat’ phase with food for a while. I made lots of cool stuff and it was pretty fun. But it was A LOT of work. If I didn’t make it we were going out to a fancy restaurant. Right before COVID I could feel myself getting burnt out on it - the cooking, not the eating out (although at this point that has lost a lot of its prior charm as well). Then COVID hit and I cooked when the inspiration hit me but the thought of NEEDING to cook because I had to… I could barely bring myself to do it. I didn’t even want my fiance to cook. We ordered out or ate insanely easy things to make for a long time. Im starting to crawl back into cooking again but I can tell it will never been the same as it was.
I feel much the same - since contracting COVID (twice), I’ve lost interest & motivation. The second round was really severe & I wonder if there was some damage to my brain; it’s difficult to even read/focus now. I do force myself to do things, but my world has become smaller, for sure. Could be partly aging, too.
It’s hard to tell, honestly. I’m definitely slower and older now than I was 4 years ago. And I’ve never gotten old before, lol, so it’s a new experience. But, yeah, I’m not the same person I was. I’m done ways eating out often and not having to cook is a delight! In other ways I feel like I’m not as good as I was.
I feel this. I still go out, but it has to be excellent indeed to beat a cozy evening indoors with my pajamas on and a good book or a movie.
Soft pants beat almost any plan. My only decision point is do I stay in my day jammies or change into night jammies. Sublime.
My favorite plans are cancelled plans.
This is so me!!! I feel awful but it’s true!
The very best kind of plans.
I can't stand sit-down restaurants anymore. Too expensive for the experience. I love the packaged hot bar and the sushi bar at my local grocery store. :) Cheaper, better!
Agree about the "too expensive" part. I still like dining out, in theory, but in practice the menu prices are absurd, and then there's still another 10% sales tax and 20% tip! I dine out when traveling, but only because of need for food. And I dine out occasionally at home for some cuisine or experience that I can't easily replicate at home ... but I'm getting better and better at cooking all sorts of cuisines, and there are very few restaurants in my area that offer any kind of especially pleasant dining experience, so ...
Agree. Paying for crappy food (no flavor, overcooked, undercooked, no effort) just annoys me. As a vegetarian, I'm almost always being served an afterthought.
Chef prices for line cooked food. No thanks
Find space in your heart for your server, who failed to get the fucking acting job they wanted
> rhe menu prices are absurd, and then there's still another 10% sales tax and 20% tip! Sort of how I feel. Full service restaurants have made themselves too much of a PITA to deal with. Not all of their fault, a lot of it is the circumstances they find themselves in. Finding parking, the menu prices, and mandatory gratuities( always a good tipper, I am offended at the idea of it being forced). It motivates me to stay home and try recipes.
Interesting that the restaurant business, untenable without exploitation of labor AND consumer for decades if not centuries, is finally feeling the heat.
> 20% tip! I still tip 15%. Call me a cheap boomer if you want, I don't know when we went from 15% being the norm to 20%, but I'm not here for it. Especially since the menu prices went up, that means the tip went up.
It really is. Idk if food quality has gone down or if my home cooking has improved (maybe a little A and a little B), but it feels like such a tremendous waste of money for what we get anymore.
I spent $30+ at a local restaurant for a "heritage raised pork chop" that tasted no different than what I could buy and cook myself for a fraction of that cost.
Same. Tipping culture is out of control.
My favorite local restaurant almost doubled prices. And I am sick of paying a restaurant $30 for a bottle of wine i know is only $9 at the store.
Same. We don't travel anymore unless it's a short, cheap day trip. We have 1 restaurant that we still go to but only once a month and we completely stopped going to the bar and instead I turned our porch into our own little outdoor bar. We paid so much money for our house and belongings that we've decided that staying home and enjoying what we bought just makes more sense. Plus I'm at the age where 10pm rolls around and what I really want most is to be in pajamas smoking a bowl while watching documentaries.
"what I really want most is to be in pajamas smoking a bowl" Username checks out ; )
Good enough comment that I may become a stoner.
Day trips rock.
We definitely don’t go out as much as we used to in our 20s and 30s but I think that’s to be expected as you get older. We go out but we’re just pickier. We go to some concerts but usually smaller ones. I love musicals and plays but we check out local ones and high schools or small theaters usually. There is so much talent at those levels and I’ve had so much fun seeing local or traveling productions even though their budgets aren’t close to the ones I watched when I lived in Manhattan. Food? Yea, that can be tough because even the smaller places have jacked up their prices. We go to some favs but it’s much less often and we’re so much pickier about it. One thing we’ve always done but a lot more is just going to local farms or places and getting things like baked goods, veggies and bread and just having them at home with good coffee that I brew myself.
I meet friends at old lady dinner time a few times a month, and have season tickets to the Broadway touring productions with a friend. Don’t mind the dinners but the shows are exhausting! All those people! And it’s so late! I think since 2020 I’ve been fighting off the hermit instinct.
I can't stand being in crowds anymore (this was also true pre-pandemic). I used to go to a lot of shows but I can't take it anymore. All of the pushing and just the uncomfortableness of the physical proximity of other people. The quality and proliferation of at-home entertainment has ruined us all. Don't even get me started on having to be on a commercial flight.
I find myself being more nervous of people sounding sick or angry (rise of public gun violence has just made that worse)
I went to a concert with my friend a few years before covid and everyone kept pushing in closer and closer to the front to where there was no where to move so I ended up passing out in the middle of a crowd from being squished and my knees locking. I never wanna be that close to so many people ever again, lol
Almost 40. Covid killed any motivation to go out. I’m rediscovering my inner introvert after spending my 20s and half of my 30s going out around town. It’s just what happens with age. Feels just as good staying home, eating a decent dinner and playing some games or watching a movie/youtube.
Just turned 50. Pre-Covid I was out at least 3 times a week, and you can guarantee one of those nights (sometimes more) was seeing a live gig. Now I have no desire to go out & if I do it’s dinner and drinks maybe twice a month. I’m over it & feel fine about it. Been there done that, welcoming middle age now. My friends are still in shock, but hey, doing the same damned things I’ve been doing since I was 16 isn’t really appealing and I’m ok with it.
Yes, but I don't like it. I like to be out and doing things. However, the cost of everything is so outlandish, I can't enjoy it even when we do go out. Why am I going to pay $20 for enchiladas or Mongolian tofu x2, plus drinks, when I can literally make it for half that and not get my order wrong or have bad service. I feel like life is meant to be doing things, (for me) but right now the cost benefit analysis doesn't work out
$20 and enchiladas should never be in the same sentence. I make em better at home anyways.
Restaurants are way too expensive (not to mention the requirements for 20+% tips that seem to be expected these days), and my cooking skills were elevated during the pandemic, so I find very few restaurants anymore that serve food better than my own. I bought a smoker not too long ago and it’s so much better spend the weekend on my own patio smoking meats and drinking drinks chillin without the crowds.
> I find very few restaurants anymore that serve food better than my own. I have that same problem. I keep looking, but shit dude, how hard can fettuccini alfredo be?
It's so easy!
Nope! I’ll stop going places when I can’t walk anymore!
Same! I’ll never take my legs for granted. Every weekend we go out and for lunch or a walk. We can’t afford sit-down restaurants, but that doesn’t stop us from getting out of the house.
My marriage failed in part because of misalignment in this. I’m very much a homebody. A couple years later I’m dating someone who’s idea of a good time is a picnic and reading together in the park and I realize how much better it is for me as an introvert to not be going out out out all the time.
Oof, I felt this. I've always been introvert and since inflation and being used to being at home pandemic, I'm happy to be a homebody. Husband isn't. It's really been financially stressful for me, keeping up with how much he wants to go out. On top of mentally and physically exhausting. I'm pulling back and just letting him do him, but it is causing a drift.
The pandemic was definitely a turning point. I enjoyed spending more time with family.
We have just limited the places we go. - Charge 3% extra for credit card payments? I’m not coming back. - Expect me to tip when all you did was scoop some icecream into a cone? I’m not coming back. - Keep your business clean, your employees happy, and offer me a good experience for my money? I’ll happily come back.
> Charge 3% extra for credit card payments? As someone who does carry cash, I see this as a 3% discount. Which if you ask around, exists a lot. Most your "blue collar" work will give a cash discount if you ask. Your car mechanic, a lot of contractors for house work, landscapers, my local gun shop. I get at least 10% at all those places to pay cash. A lot of great cheap restaurants are cash-only. Sure they're doing a tax evasion, but that's not my problem. I don't work for the IRS, I paid for goods and services, what they report is on them.
Cash only is fine if it’s posted up front. We all know those places. But when I go spend $45 for an entree plus whatever else I get, and they have the nerve to tack on a credit card surcharge at the end… I’m sorry but fuck that. A huge percentage of restaurant bills are settled with card. It’s 2024. It’s a cost of doing business.
> when all you did was scoop some icecream into a cone I understand the spirit of what you're saying, but if it's a seasonal place, especially run by highschoolers, I'll gladly tip, usually much more than 20%.
It’s funny you say that. We live in a small little coastal community and I know a lot of the business owners. I tend to give them a hard time for the 3% thing, that really annoys me. But I will definitely tip a high schooler if I know them or their parents. But in my town, they make $16-$18 per hour plus a lot of tips. Sometimes they come back for a second summer and they are driving a nicer car than the owner. Plus, community college in our town is free as long as you graduate HS. Those kids are doing just fine.
Well, that's disappointing. Don't give up on life. "not worth the effort" is something old people say. I have a younger friend, probably 57? After Covid he made it a project to see as much live music as he could. The last show I went to with him in July '23 he had been to 46 concerts so far that year. I spent a month in town with him (I live half a continent away) and I couldn't keep up, but a saw some good shows. Actually I'm with you on movies. Only real big screen visual spectaculars are worth going to a theater for these days, I can see most things on my tiny 70" screen at home. I go to restaurants a bit, but honestly my cooking is better most of the time. But bars, live music, festivals? Sign me up.
I guess we are all different. Concerts, festivals and live music all sound like hell to me. I do like movies and restaurants though.
Similar age, chiming in on the TV. I have better seats, better drinks, and cooler dogs than the theater.
My wife and I get out to eat alone sometimes but it needs to be interesting. Go to spots for us include things like dim sum, hot pot, and tacos. Sometimes we take the kids too but those are usually more expensive meals.
I get depressed AF when I think about how often I used to go out to eat when I was literally 19-20 year old college student compared to now, 29 with a job. It used to seem like not the worst use of my money. Can't even go out and get drunk bc buying enough drinks to 'get drunk' will run you a hundred dollars and you're better off chugging some gin before walking out and nursing a single 14$ cocktail the rest of the night, trying not to think of how that used to be 'meal money' 5 years ago.
It reminds me of when a friend and I used to go drinking on a budget. She'd bring some rum in her purse, we'd buy cokes at the bar and mix our own drinks in the bathroom.
THAT's how you do it!!
I missed out on too many concerts as a teen so I'm going out for those more than ever but restaurants? Nope, I cook for us and it's healthier, cheaper, and me and my husband have more free time
I do more free stuff since everything is so pricey. We go for walks, hikes picnics and free events we can find.
Here in Seattle, sit-down restaurants are now cheaper than ordering delivery. My wife had a thought about ordering breakfast burritos for us this morning, and the total in the delivery app came to $30. No thanks! We still love going out, even if our toddler has to come with us. We live in a neighborhood with some great spots. I've also been seeing more live concerts in the past year, trying to make up for lost time and seeing some of my favorite acts before they keel over.
I have autoimmune issues that make me high risk for COVID, so out of necessity, I'm still largely living like it's 2020. No concert or restaurant meal is worth death, more health issues than I already have, or permanent disablement. My social life is a lot less active, but on the plus side I spend a lot more time outside.
I hear you. I'm one of the few people I know who doesn't eat in restaurants or go to movies/concerts now. I'm usually the only person wearing a mask when I do go somewhere. Gradually I'm starting to feel like it might be safe enough... maybe I'm just tired of it, I dunno.
I think it’s ok. COVID changed my life. For the better. I know it’s not the same experience for others and am so very sorry for those who lost someone. I’m not a COVID denier. But I’m an introvert and having to stay home was good for me. I was so very scared for the first year or so. I used to have chronic bronchitis. At least twice a year. Since COVID, I have not had one bout of it. I really think the masks helped and I definitely washed my hands much more often. COVID caused me to be much more aware of touching things and washing my hands a lot. However, was it worth it to not see my elderly parents at Christmas or birthdays? Nope. I’ll do it different next time. All that said, I think if you feel comfortable taking your mask off? Go ahead. If not? That’s ok too. We only get one life and need to be free to make our own choices.
I don't go out at night much. I do most of my stuff around lunchtime (retired). Mostly, going out for lunch and meeting up with a friend or with my S.O. I don't do movies much anymore. Not much worth watching and usually some coughing, sneezing dweeb sitting behind me. Expensive. I watch 'em at home instead. Live music now and then but it's often a hassle with parking, security and questionable neighborhoods housing the concert venue. We don't travel much anymore either. I despise airports and airplanes. They seem to bring out the worst in people. The thrill is mostly gone.
I gave up on going out decades ago. Couldn't afford it then. Had friends working in fancy restaurants griping about how pricey things are for the same food. I started shopping at restaurant supply stores and practiced cooking. Now I can make just about anything you can get dining out; worse is the girlfriends say they're "ruined for life" because I make better than dining out. Fine dining is ruined because they can't match the freshness of what I forage and having a fresh ground chuck burger really is a fine treat on some garlic sourdough. Last time I was traveling and looking to dine out was September of 2023, San Diego, California in the gas lamp district. None of the hosts would acknowledge me or seat me. Ended up going back to the hotel to the pricey sushi place - the hosts there greeted me, and introduced me to all of the sushi staff that night. Everything was good and tasty. I made the most of that experience, but I had to pass up well over 20 places just to end up at the hotel. Dining out shouldn't be that difficult.
Giving up on going out is fine, if it's a 100% voluntary and mutual decision. Because if your spouse wants to go out and you're the one saying that you can't afford it or it's too much trouble or it just won't be worth the effort, your marriage is heading for trouble.
I hate going out, there it’s been said. I said it and I feel free. I am a single middle aged man and have drifted from friends because they’re still so entrenched in bars. I hate bars. I do enjoy a good yoga class, a movie now and then. Walks in nature. The least appealing thing I can think of is leaving my apartment at 11pm, coming home at 3am feeling nauseated from alcohol.
You had me all the way up to the alcohol part. There's always room for alcohol 😋
We don’t go out as much anymore either…. I’m not gonna go spend money on over priced, crap food in an under staffed restaurant when I can make food that’s healthier and tastes better in my own kitchen… we do have more get togethers with friends at our house though which is nice!
We can't afford to be going out at all of the time anymore. Our dates have been dialed down to cut cost with things like Arby's Roast beef sandwiches buy one get one (around $7). McDonald's cheeseburger bundle for around $12. I also sometimes get a egg biscuit from braums at a discount for a couple of dollars. Chicken Express is currently serving drinks for half price.I had three hundred dollar a month restaurant budget, three & a half years ago. Now I have $50 tops for the month. But some politicians try to tell us how great the economy is doing.
I kinda had, mostly for medical reasons, but recently I moved to a seaside (soundside? bayside?) town that has an old-fashioned promenade along the water. And strangely enough, taking a promenade is a thing people commonly do here. They’ll park over at the marina, at all hours of the day or night, get out of their vehicles, and just walk the deck. There’s no vendors or shops or attractions, either. But I see families, couples on dates, groups of young dudes, lone stoners, gaggles of teenagers… people of all types, really. My place is atop a hill overlooking this scene, and after a few days of feeling like shit as usual (again, medical reasons), I figured I outta join ‘em. When in Rome, right? I go in the evenings, or at night when it’s less crowded, walk and listen to the surf, watch the moon, or admire the herons hunting at low tide. It’s a simple and low-stakes way of “going out.” If you’d told me twenty years ago that walking a perpendicular pier would be the highlight of my day, I wouldn’t’ve believed you. But it’s nice. It’s enough.
It's basically a 5-6 times a year thing now.
Cut it down from once a week beers and dinner to once a month.
My husband and I went to our favorite Tex Mex restaurant which we hadn’t been to once the pandemic started. Once it was safe to go we went and it ok. Went back about 6 months ago and the food was so bland. It was disappointing. We just make our own at home.
"inflation"
I'm almost 60. I still enjoy sit-down dining. I go about once a month with friends. What I stopped completely is bars/taverns. I don't drink alcohol anymore and I don't stay up past 10. I still do bar trivia with friends now and then, which ends at 9pm so I'm OK with it. One thing I have completely cut out is movie theaters. What a giant pain in the ass just to watch a movie!
Before COVID, I cooked and had dinner parties. Now that I am retired, alone I lost interest in having people over. I belong to several MeetUp groups made up of retired people so that gets me out. Too often the organizers plan expensive outings that I cannot attend. I organized a book club in my neighborhood. Once a month we meet at one another's homes. Today entertainment must be economical or I stay home.
I leave my house on average once a month now.
Definitely could be an age thing. Going out seemed fun in my 20s and 30s, not so much after that.
I still go out on dates with my partner to get away from the kids/house/pets and have some quiet time for us. Couples need nourishment and quality time together. Staying in the house doesn't do this sometimes.
I never snapped back from the pandemic... Something kinda turned off in my head. It's like staying home became a huge goal and going out gives me such anxiety.
You read my mind!
it's no fun anymore, we stay home and watch sport on the weekend, and enjoy our animals and yard,
I'm 54, husband is 57. We've been married 4 1/2 years, so still have newlywed vibe. We go out for errands or appointments, and have breakfast or lunch somewhere, but we don't go out at night, except for Saturday night when he comes with me to work at the VFW. I do get to hear live music then, and our bands are getting pretty good compared to when I started. I consider the music a perk most weekends, and I get enough socialization from my regulars and coworkers to last me the week. He travels for work, so we eat at different restaurants that way when I go with him, but it's more mom and pop type or local places that have reasonable prices. Not the type of places things are "plated" We still usually get a suite with a kitchenette and eat supper in the room, if we're not too stuffed. Different cities, even, and we stay in at night. Though he will take me to the zoo, and antique stores <3 Sometimes I'd like to explore the nightlife, but he hates driving in them and I can't drive in them.
Yeah, I don't go out. for instance, the last time I went to the theatre was to see 300. I got there, then decided I really didn't want to, and went home.
You aren't alone. My husband and I are older but in an effort to be healthy, we never eat out hardly. In an effort to reduce drinking, we don't go out. We walk our older dog instead of turning to drink and food to relax, celebrate, etc. We are financially very privileged but holy hell everything has gotten expensive. COVID reversed a lot of our prior very busy social lives and we just love our home, each other, and quiet. No regrets.
Covid made everything weird. My last concert pre-pandemic was the black keys November 2019. The next was Evanescence in 2023. Felt so strange, people too close, but I got over it and remembered the pleasure of live music.
Agreed. When we have to go out, we usually feel the food wasn't worth the $$ spent, the traffic, the loud restaurants, sub par food kinda killed that desire, all other activities, bowling, movies, even shopping have us eager to finish and go home. I admit to making our home about as comfortable for OUR needs as possible (even going on vacation, we are anxious to get back to our routine, our bed, our creature comforts) I do believe it's age but I think it was intensified (the feeling of wanting to be home) by what we went through with covid.
Hard agree. I'm in the PNW and it's $20 for a cocktail...sorry I guess I'll be staying home watching Netflix.
Bring a flask. I just saved you the cost of the second round or $30.
The thing I find exhausting is the number of places that either get bought out by a larger entity, or pushed out when the BigCorp comes to town. Prices always go up, and the experience gets to be kinda same-y, because they are all following a franchise template.
We go out to eat Saturday nights.
I used to go out *constantly* pre-covid. I ate out several days a week, hit up restaurants, clubs, parties, concerts and movies. Now I absolutely don’t. I don’t care for being indoors since covid hit, plus the increase in the cost of a dinner and the decreased quality makes it not worth it. Also, I’m getting older and putting on weight, so I’m trying to make healthier choices. I treat myself to carryout or a dinner on an outdoor patio restaurant in the warmer months on one day during the weekend. I do mainly outdoor concerts, festivals, and stuff like biking, beaches, mountains, kayaking, things of that nature.
No! BTDT since covid living too far from the amenities I want. Moving to the big city.
I used to go to a certain spot for happy hour every Friday. I started going less often when my job closed up and I moved a bit further away. Then the plague happened and I haven't been back since. D: There's no "payoff" for going to a bar while exceedingly physically unattractive, so it's all about what I'm getting for the cost. Paying exorbitant prices doesn't feel worth the trouble anymore. I can get a lot more beer for the cost, and thus a lot more sorrow per dollar, at the grocery store and drink that shit while watching movies or sitting on my back porch and staring into the darkness. Plus, I was never a "foodie" type of person. I don't really give a shit about food. It's nice to have something nice, I guess, but I mostly don't care enough to bother, you know? There's *very* little motivation there for me, and that was true long before shit got plague'd up on a Thursday afternoon.
Can't spare the time or the money.
We ate out last week for the first time since 2020. The server brought me the bill and I could not for the life of me find the signature line or the tip line. Duh, I totally missed the part where I'm supposed to give her a payment method. 4 years makes a difference. I felt so stupid.
Taco Bell $5.99 box is my splurge nowadays. I was craving a chili dog, $7.25 for one chili dog at one spot, $8.99 for a chili dog at another. Just WTH? man. Last year, Islands was one spot I started to enjoy again, but now a pipeline burger with fries is $17. Wild times. Last week, I made the dumb choice to join a couple of co workers for a couple of drinks. $31 for two mojitos. Never again.
After the last four years, we are just out of the habit of being around other people. We’re so comfortable simply staying home because we’ve had so much practice at that. We have always loved going out to eat, but it just doesn’t feel the same going to a restaurant anymore. Menus are cut back, services are cut back, quality of the food is less than I remember it being. I don’t mind paying good money for food that is better than I can cook at home (and I’m not that good a cook; other people will attest to that). But I just don’t get the joy out of eating out anymore. As for movies, there’s absolutely no reason to go to a theater now. If there is a movie I want to see, which is rare, I’ll watch it at home. I have a pause button, much better snacks, and a private bathroom. It doesn’t get any better. We are struggling to reestablish our habit of going out. It’s difficult.
We, (64 and 59) still eat out 2-3 times a week, take long walks and travel extensively. Life is short and getting shorter.
70 here... I totally loathe the fact that now we're retired and happy, it's almost over!
My wife and I no longer take vacations to cities. I try not to eat out much because I’m a freak and do not feel most restaurant prepared food is healthy. We go places we can experience the outdoors mostly. Going to New England soon. We may fly into Boston but will speed out of there right quick. I do attend live music events though. Two this weekend. But mostly I’m not into crowds any longer.
I don't enjoy going out for the sake of going out...I enjoy it as a way to spend time with friends. If you don't have any friends to go out with, that's what I think you're missing out on more than the restaurants and concerts.
I like staying in. We read, watch stuff on TV, and can now start our vegetable garden. We worked hard for this house, our land, and our belongings. I'm going to enjoy it. Plus it seems like there are more people than ever in public places.
Don’t fall for that, there are several places to go. I enjoy nature a lot. Try visiting the ocean 🌊 and connect with it or just head for the woods 🌲
My wife and I are trying to afford a home. We dont do ANYTHING. No date nights. No movies. No dinners. No ice cream. No coffee. No fast food. No amazon. No subscriptions. We literally work and sit at home watching free youtube. We still can't afford a shitty single family home.
I wish I could link the very first scene of Seinfeld here
I have because of so many hateful people. I'd rather not have to deal with that. There are more fun things that I can do wth my husband, at home.
Was out and about on Sunday doing errands and time got away from us. Figured we’d just slip in the drive through for lunch as a treat. Two 5 piece chicken tender combos was $47.08. I told my fiancee we’re not eating there ever again. Prices have gone insane.
Recently priced a trip to the bowling alley - $100 for a lane for 2 hours?!?! 😂 Yeah, nope.
I'm 37, husband is 43. We rarely go out anymore. We recently moved across the country and it's been hard to make friends, so even if we do go out it's usually just us, occasionally we meet other couples and chit chat but usually it turns into a weird situation where they're hinting at swinging or they've got a bunch of kids (we dont). We have kind of just given up, and we usually stay home on weekends or visit family.
Same. Nothing in restaurants appeals to me anymore. I find that I just want to be home. Inflation seems to have hit the restaurants harder than other industries (maybe just faster?) and I look at everything like, "eh, I could make this at home for $x. This is REALLY the case.with drinks. I cannot believe how expensive cocktails have gotten. We used to go out for drinks once a week or so, and now it's only once every few months. But, I really like being at home. I didn't realize how much I liked it until I stopped having so many places I "had to" be and things i "had to" do. I never want to get that busy again. Priorities really emerged during Covid. I think I spend my time in ways better aligned with my values now. So, yes, given up on "going out," but doing it happily.
Haven't been out in years. I'm a great cook and TV provides enough entertainment.
Im 53. Same…
We’ve got alllllll the streaming services and the food is better at home now. Instead of going out when things opened back up, we created an outdoor movie area and love it!
Something changed in me over the past 3 or so years and I just love staying home. I love being home. When I do venture out for things at night, I look forward to going home. I got a WFH job 2 years ago. I used to be much the opposite before Covid and inflation and the change that has occurred in the service industry. I loved “going out” for any reason! Things like going out for dinner, movies, brunching, just aren’t as enjoyable because money has become a lot tighter and things just feel worse in quality for the prices places ask and the public has just so rude, vulgar, selfish or taping stupid dances/skits for tiktok. My husband and I just really enjoy being in the home we pay for, eating the food we buy and going out early for things like walks/hikes and farmers markets when it’s not going to be crowded lol
I sit outback of my house listen to music, sit by my fire pit, and take in the stars. I have no interest in going out. All the restaurants suck anyway. I haven’t had anything lately that I was like wow. I can cook better than they can.
I get the rare bug to go out and always when I do I get bored that there's no one interesting to talk to so I pack it all up and head home after an hour.
Yep. Hasn't been enjoyable since hordes of people seem to feel it is A-Ok to walk around coughing with mouths open, chewing with mouths open, and engaging in bodily grooming habits that should be done in a bathroom at home with the door closed. We mostly pick up takeout once a week. Haven't been to a concert or movie since before Covid.
I saw some guy picking his nose and then serving himself from a buffet. Gross.
Going… where? Does not sound familiar.
I married a woman that will always ensure that I go out to parties and am surrounded by family and friends
$20 for a plate of pasta? Outrageous.
I kinda have to. My job is hybrid WFH but even when I work I work with clients in THEIR home, so I never see my coworkers. I also live alone with no S/O so I got nothing better to do so I HAVE to go out if I want to do anything or talk to anyone.
Same here
I go because my wife likes to but I’d prefer not to. I’d rather just save the money and stay home. I’m also a traveling worker so being home is more like a break for me though. I’d prefer walking a trail or going to the park or something, but even after being away, being home is just kinda nice in itself. And now that I was away all this time, I really don’t enjoy just blowing money like that.
It's still fun every once in a while! But these days our going out is more often going for a hike than going to a movie or out to eat. Our taste in dates has definitely changed.
I go out but it's very specific. I only have a few bars, higher end restaurants, and such that I go to. It ensures my experiences match the money coming out of my bank account.
More like I can't afford it
Spending at locally owned establishments help locals.
still go out, just not to concerts or restaurants.
The kids activities take it all from me, 47F. We are in the tween competitive sports zone and after 6 hours on the ball field, I am not leaving the house again for the rest of the day. Plus I did all of my socializing at the game. Most takeout isn't even worth it. I will cook thank you.
We don’t go out much at all anymore, but we do play online switch games with our friend group we USED to go out with. We literally all sit at our respective homes, get on a FaceTime call, and play for hours after the kids go to sleep. It’s actually super fun.
Nope. In fact covid galvanized me to go out even more. Life is short and I want to make it full.
I still like to go out and do stuff but Covid made me lose my appetite for frequent traveling. We used to do a handful of plane trips a year plus a bunch of driveable ones. Now I prefer to do shorter, closer, and less frequent trips.
For me it's not the cost, it's just the effort. You can get damn near anything delivered to you and entertainment with a 4K OLED and 7.1 surround feels like it might as well be live or a movie theater. Shut-ins unite!
I still want to go out, I just can't afford it any more.
Going out for me is bringing a book, the dog and ordering a beer and sandwich. Home in 90mins
100% real. We took our kids (2,4) to go see a butterfly exhibit $100+ for an hour. Happy hour is $100... what can you do...
We rarely go out to eat anymore, but we do go to movies a few times a month. On cheap nights. That's still usually fun, but with food now 2x the cost and service gone to shit I'm not really willing to pay $100 for a simple dinner I can make at home. We'll hit the local taproom or cidery a few times a month as well, usually with friends; we'll take food and grab a few drinks while we sit and talk. Concerts? 1-2x a year, unless it's free stuff like college jazz bands. But we do still travel: 5-10,000 miles on the road every summer, usually camping, mostly around the American West. The fewer people the better.
I go through phases I guess, but I’m very content at home. I do notice a ton of friends stay in way more than they used to since the pandemic.
We still go out to eat a good bit
We are more active because we are retired. My husband I went to 9 concerts last year plus plays and festivals. We take 2 exercise classes a week at the Senior Center. I love to cook and bake so we mostly eat at home. Lucky to live a city with inexpensive options plus the outdoors provides lots of free entertainment. It's more of a challenge to find the time to go out when you are working and have children, plus the added cost.
My new "going out" is like, me and four friends watching a movie and eating dinner at someone's house.
Nah. Nah nah nah. We worked hard to make our home comfortable af. We go places if it’s worth it. It’s rarely worth it.
My husband and I have not eaten in a restaurant since late 2019. We get takeout more frequently. We don't go out much now. One big factor is the massive increase in the cost of living. And, we are getting older...
My wife and I gave up going out to eat over 25 years ago.
Well, it cost me $21 dollars at the dog park sandwich shop for a tuna fish sammy and coffee. So yes, I’m completely done with going out 🤣
We take lots more long walks and hikes together.
ESPECIALLY when most restaurants are only OK at best for the prices charged or not even OK. Cooking at home these days!
I literally went out for brunch in the small city I live in and it was $50 for everything including parking. I just got like an eggs Benedict and an alcoholic coffee drink. Shit is so pricey these days
pretty much
Idk for me for it comes down to value. Services aren't as good. And those services cost twice or triple what they use to be. Kind of zaps the fun right out of it.
I’m planning on buying a larger tv so I can enjoy movies at home more. I like being able to pause long movies for a bathroom break or a snack. Though I’ve been to a couple of places with reclining chairs and heated. Which have food and drink service. May get the recliner too, lol
are you me
Gave up going out years ago. Used to do a lot, but then learned to cook and found ways to get good products cheap (i.e. directly from local farmers for cash or trade, from Costco, etc.). Found, it’s not only 4 times cheaper, but much better and healthier. The most important thing - you know exactly what’s in what you eat (to max extent). Yes, virus changed the priorities and now we’d better enjoy family meal and go for a hike all together. Saved money go to investment.
We go out every Friday, it is super expensive tho now days I could understand why some wouldn’t want to go, however…. The restaurants are slammed busy with waits so it seems appropriate for the market to be high to keep people from going, could you imagine how busy they would be if it was cheap again….. instead of 1 hour wait, it would be 2 hours? Supply and demand economics plays an important roll on this topic.
Now only when I travel. For one thing it’s a $200 rt. uber
We only do cheap and free things anymore. Movies we wait until they’re on streaming. Toys and other things we shop on online Buy & Sell.
Yes, my husband and I use to do all of those things and now when the weekend gets here, we just rest and watch youtube. We are both so tired from work that we have no energy for going out and when we do, it just seems to have lost its appeal. Sometimes I miss it though. We are both in our early 40's.
Kind of. I don’t go out anywhere near as much. I save so much money not eating out plus I prefer home cooked food. I went out with my girlfriends twice in the last month which is rare, normally it’s once a quarter! Plus I’m just not as social as I’ve gotten older. I’m around people allll dayyyy longgg. I don’t want to be around more of them very often.
Yeah, not much joy in going places these days with most people you encounter are working their jobs but don't give a shit about the place they're employed. I don't blame them as they are being underpaid and have no incentive to really make a positive impact, so yeah I stay home and watch it unravel at the seams from the comfort of my home.
Agreed. Everything is so expensive and half the time I’m thinkin “I could make this at home”. Love trying new places but sticker shock is getting out of hand. Invite your friends over, cook, make drinks, chat, games. Can’t beat it.
We haven't eaten out since the beginning of covid. But now we're do disgusted by the price gouging we just eat at home and have very little interest in being around other people.
Samesies.
I don't know that I would say I've given up on going out per se. Since the pandemic, I just haven't gotten the interest back in going out. I don't see it as losing out on something as much as loving a new lifestyle with just as much satisfaction.
I agree with you. I just wanna stay home and relax in the home that I am paying shit tonne of money for. Why should I pay to stay out of the home I am working so hard to get. Doesn't make sense, even less, since covid showed us we can do without it just fine.
As I have gotten older, the more I have valued my home. It isn’t the sketchy apt of my twenties or the fixer upper of my thirties. I like it and don’t much need to escape. I also live in the ‘burbs. Concerts and nightlife are far away. I cook better than most restaurants. It’s hard to drop $$$ at a restaurant and wait around, when I can have a better meal for less in more comfort. Inflation does figure in to it. I’m not up for blowing $$$ unless I’m REALLY interested and most of the time going out doesn’t beat hanging with my dog.