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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Dec 12, 2023 15:32:21 GMT
Sad to say, most corporations are not in the business of ethics, right, or good. Money is their motivating factor. Money for stockholders, money for management, money for the owners. They want you to believe good and right is their mission but it's really about the money. Money (Profit) for stockholders is not being discussed here. How many of you have IRAs, 401Ks or pension plans that are heavily invested in the stock market? Quite a few I suspect. Are you complaining equally about the gains in your investment/retirement portfolios as you are about the increase in prices of goods and services? Stockholders are just as much a part of the issue as corporation management is. |
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Post by lbp on Dec 12, 2023 17:03:02 GMT
and let's not forget, as wages inch up, that additional cost for labor will mean an increase in the price of good and services. the prices of today may stabilize or slow down in growth but they will never go back down to what they were 3-10-15 years ago. those days are gone. and if people think that a new administration will miraculously roll back the cost of goods and services, they had better think again. prices go up regardless of who is in office. it's just a matter of who will suffer or benefit from tax reform, corporate incentives, and social benefits. believe it or not, 5-10 years from now, you will long for the prices of 2023 just as i wish it was 2013 prices again. This is where our company is at. We have had to raise prices due to minimum wages going up. Even though our employees make more than minimum wage, we feel we need to give them the same precentage increase as thre rate of minimum wage. We are doing good to make a small profit at the end of the year but if prices of products keep going up along with salaries we will be having some very serious discussions about the future of the company. It's a shame that 30 people who have worked here for years could be losing their jobs. |
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Post by papersilly on Dec 12, 2023 17:50:47 GMT
Money (Profit) for stockholders is not being discussed here. How many of you have IRAs, 401Ks or pension plans that are heavily invested in the stock market? Quite a few I suspect. Are you complaining equally about the gains in your investment/retirement portfolios as you are about the increase in prices of goods and services? Stockholders are just as much a part of the issue as corporation management is. i am one of the people whose quality of retirement will depend on how my stocks do. while i don't like the prices of goods and services going up, i'm hoping the value of the companies i am invested in keeps growing and remains strong. that value depends on growth and profitability. |
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Post by papersilly on Dec 12, 2023 17:54:46 GMT
So very true. I did not mention overhead, but ...
"Olive Garden is an American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian–American cuisine. It is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, Inc., which is headquartered in Orange County, Florida. As of 2022, Olive Garden restaurants accounted for $4.5 billion of the $9.63 billion revenue of its parent, Darden."
I believe their overhead is well covered by the $4.5 billion with plenty left over for the owner(s) to live high on the hog.
revenue does not equate to profit. revenue is just the overall income. profit is after expenses are factored in. i'm sure Olive Garden will say they barely make a profit because of their many expenses and increased cost of doing business. they will use that to justify increasing prices on a regular basis. that's corporate bookkeeping for you. |
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
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Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Dec 12, 2023 17:57:43 GMT
So very true. I did not mention overhead, but ...
"Olive Garden is an American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian–American cuisine. It is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, Inc., which is headquartered in Orange County, Florida. As of 2022, Olive Garden restaurants accounted for $4.5 billion of the $9.63 billion revenue of its parent, Darden."
I believe their overhead is well covered by the $4.5 billion with plenty left over for the owner(s) to live high on the hog.
revenue does not equate to profit. revenue is just the overall income. profit is after expenses are factored in. i'm sure Olive Garden will say they barely make a profit because of their many expenses and increased cost of doing business. they will use that to justify increasing prices on a regular basis. that's corporate bookkeeping for you. I understand that, that is why I said I'm sure it covered the overhead and left pleanty for the owner. |
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Post by papersilly on Dec 12, 2023 18:04:21 GMT
You do seem to defend the corporations. I disagree. I’m aware they aren’t ethical and I believe that’s wrong and should be changed. I also believe the greed is out of control and that companies are out of touch. They don’t know exactly how high they can go. They are already pricing people out of the market. Once they make it so the general public has spent all it has, they will take their money and declare bankruptcy and close their businessses. Something bad is happening and it will get worse before it gets better. The only way we save it is legislatively and collectively. But as long as people excuse it with “businesses are in business to make money,” it continues. i want to believe that a good or solid company with long range goals will not do this. good companies are not one and done. they will evolve and adapt. maintaining ongoing revenue is more important and doing a smash and grab. i guess i do defend corporations to a certain extent because my retirement depends on the health and wealth of the companies that i am invested in. that is my moral dilemma. i don't agree with everything that corporations do to raise their profitability but i also need to understand what they must do in order to remain viable, scalable, and profitable. i am under no delusion that social security will be enough retirement income. a healthy portfolio should make up the gap. |
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Post by papersilly on Dec 12, 2023 18:32:24 GMT
I understand that, that is why I said I'm sure it covered the overhead and left pleanty for the owner. the owner of Olive Garden and Darden Corporation are stockholders. to my knowledge, the profits aren't physically handed over but are reflected either in the stock price and/or dividends. i took a peek at the history of the Darden Stock and their stock prices have increased historically and rebounded nicely post-pandemic. i can't imagine this company pricing their customers out just so they can file BK. a steady stream of customers seem to be keeping the parent company afloat. |
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snyder
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Post by snyder on Dec 12, 2023 18:45:29 GMT
I understand that, that is why I said I'm sure it covered the overhead and left pleanty for the owner. the owner of Olive Garden and Darden Corporation are stockholders. to my knowledge, the profits aren't physically handed over but are reflected either in the stock price and/or dividends. i took a peek at the history of the Darden Stock and their stock prices have increased historically and rebounded nicely post-pandemic. i can't imagine this company pricing their customers out just so they can file BK. a steady stream of customers seem to be keeping the parent company afloat. Yes, all that, but the gist of the post was price gouging and I truely believe if you are charging a person over $20 for a plate of pasta and sauce, you are gouging the consumer in some fashion or your are not operating your business efficiently as there are other places that charge a much more reasonable amount for foods that are more premium and appear to be quite successful. |
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Post by papersilly on Dec 12, 2023 18:57:37 GMT
Yes, all that, but the gist of the post was price gouging and I truely believe if you are charging a person over $20 for a plate of pasta and sauce, you are gouging the consumer in some fashion or your are not operating your business efficiently as there are other places that charge a much more reasonable amount for foods that are more premium and appear to be quite successful. out of curiosity, what other corporate chains have higher quality but are charging less? i'm genuinely curious. how is it truly price gouging if people are still going to their restaurants? i personally i think their food is gross. it's overpriced and mediocre at best and i haven't been to Olive Garden in probably 20 years (FIL picked that place for his birthday dinners). mom and pop Italian places are infinitely better. but apparently there are more people who like their food and have no problem with the pricing. maybe they think they are getting more bang for their buck because the soup, salad, and breadsticks are bottomless (i don't know if that's still a thing). Olive Garden probably thinks it's operating very efficiently if they can get away with charging that much for mediocre food. the fact that they contributed $4.5 billion in revenue must mean that people there is no shortage of people paying their prices. |
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
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Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Dec 12, 2023 19:10:41 GMT
Yes, all that, but the gist of the post was price gouging and I truely believe if you are charging a person over $20 for a plate of pasta and sauce, you are gouging the consumer in some fashion or your are not operating your business efficiently as there are other places that charge a much more reasonable amount for foods that are more premium and appear to be quite successful. out of curiosity, what other corporate chains have higher quality but are charging less? i'm genuinely curious. how is it truly price gouging if people are still going to their restaurants? i personally i think their food is gross. it's overpriced and mediocre at best and i haven't been to Olive Garden in probably 20 years (FIL picked that place for his birthday dinners). mom and pop Italian places are infinitely better. but apparently there are more people who like their food and have no problem with the pricing. maybe they think they are getting more bang for their buck because the soup, salad, and breadsticks are bottomless (i don't know if that's still a thing). Olive Garden probably thinks it's operating very efficiently if they can get away with charging that much for mediocre food. the fact that they contributed $4.5 billion in revenue must mean that people there is no shortage of people paying their prices. One for example is Texas Roadhouse. I can eat a steak, 2 sides and dinner roll for the same price as a plate of pasta.
I consider that food more premium than pasta. I don't like Olive Garden myself and don't go there, for both price and quality reasons. Its price gouging as they are making huge profits at the expense of the consumer. People willing to go there and pay the prices has nothing to do with price gouging. I have and still do pay for items that I think are way over priced, because I either need them or cave to those that are gouging me so they can line their pockets.
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Post by Merge on Dec 12, 2023 19:12:05 GMT
Sad to say, most corporations are not in the business of ethics, right, or good. Money is their motivating factor. Money for stockholders, money for management, money for the owners. They want you to believe good and right is their mission but it's really about the money. Money (Profit) for stockholders is not being discussed here. How many of you have IRAs, 401Ks or pension plans that are heavily invested in the stock market? Quite a few I suspect. Are you complaining equally about the gains in your investment/retirement portfolios as you are about the increase in prices of goods and services? Stockholders are just as much a part of the issue as corporation management is. This is valid, but I think there's a happy middle ground somewhere. I'm not comfortable having a cushy retirement on the backs of working people who never get to retire because they couldn't afford food and rent, much less retirement savings. IMO capitalism is unjust unless it's paired with robust social safety net programs and regulations to curb its worst excesses. |
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Post by papersilly on Dec 12, 2023 19:50:42 GMT
One for example is Texas Roadhouse. I can eat a steak, 2 sides and dinner roll for the same price as a plate of pasta.
I consider that food more premium than pasta. I don't like Olive Garden myself and don't go there, for both price and quality reasons. Its price gouging as they are making huge profits at the expense of the consumer. People willing to go there and pay the prices has nothing to do with price gouging. I have and still do pay for items that I think are way over priced, because I either need them or cave to those that are gouging me so they can line their pockets.
had to take moment to read up on Texas Roadhouse. people seem to love the value they are getting for their money. food is good and prices are fair. there are concerns about the skyrocketing price of beef affecting their future pricing though. speaking of steak, if anyone is gouging, it's the fine steakhouses. $80 for a rib eye, $20 for a baked potato, $15 for a salad. hate that pricing but that's our guilty pleasure. i definitely think customers are paying just as much for the atmosphere as they are for the food. we will pay those prices just like the olive garden people will pay for that endless pasta bowl. every restaurant has their demographic and they price accordingly. |
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Post by Merge on Dec 12, 2023 20:54:17 GMT
One for example is Texas Roadhouse. I can eat a steak, 2 sides and dinner roll for the same price as a plate of pasta.
I consider that food more premium than pasta. I don't like Olive Garden myself and don't go there, for both price and quality reasons. Its price gouging as they are making huge profits at the expense of the consumer. People willing to go there and pay the prices has nothing to do with price gouging. I have and still do pay for items that I think are way over priced, because I either need them or cave to those that are gouging me so they can line their pockets.
had to take moment to read up on Texas Roadhouse. people seem to love the value they are getting for their money. food is good and prices are fair. there are concerns about the skyrocketing price of beef affecting their future pricing though. speaking of steak, if anyone is gouging, it's the fine steakhouses. $80 for a rib eye, $20 for a baked potato, $15 for a salad. hate that pricing but that's our guilty pleasure. i definitely think customers are paying just as much for the atmosphere as they are for the food. we will pay those prices just like the olive garden people will pay for that endless pasta bowl. every restaurant has their demographic and they price accordingly. You also get a higher level of service at a fine steakhouse. Good, experienced servers expect to make more in tips than the folks at a mid-level chain. You need a higher ticket total to get higher tips. You may also be paying for higher quality beef or other ingredients. If I'm getting prime beef from a local farm and locally sourced lettuce and potatoes, I expect to pay more. Further musings not directed at anyone in particular: My understanding is that restaurant margins are very slim, which is why so many independent ones go out of business. They make their money on drinks, especially alcoholic ones, and on upsells like adding grilled mushrooms to your steak. To each her own, but we generally prefer small, family owned type restaurants, particularly for ethnic food. The prices are much more reasonable than a big chain and you're supporting the family, not a bunch of faceless shareholders. I also don't like paying $$$ for a meal I could make myself, and a steak/baked potato/salad definitely falls into the category of stuff I could easily make myself. Just as pasta generally does - though I will pay more for fresh pasta made in house, because I'm not doing that at home. I figure in a place like Olive Garden, I'm paying to be waited on, to not have to clean up, and for the unlimited salad and breadsticks. They have to make that up somewhere and they do it by inflating the entree prices. |
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DEX
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by DEX on Dec 12, 2023 21:04:26 GMT
Sad to say, most corporations are not in the business of ethics, right, or good. Money is their motivating factor. Money for stockholders, money for management, money for the owners. They want you to believe good and right is their mission but it's really about the money. Money (Profit) for stockholders is not being discussed here. How many of you have IRAs, 401Ks or pension plans that are heavily invested in the stock market? Quite a few I suspect. Are you complaining equally about the gains in your investment/retirement portfolios as you are about the increase in prices of goods and services? Stockholders are just as much a part of the issue as corporation management is. I was going to post the same thing. My investments are doing fine. I hope that the government does not step in and try to curtail some of the price increases. Our economy in the US is based on capitalism. If you are not pleased with the price of something; don't buy it, select a cheaper item, or make do. I go out to eat for the social aspect. I know it is cheaper to make it myself at home. I am retired and on a fixed income. I realize that things have gotten more expensive in some areas but the news and social media highlight the negative and make it seem like the sky is falling. |
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Post by papersilly on Dec 12, 2023 21:13:45 GMT
You also get a higher level of service at a fine steakhouse. Good, experienced servers expect to make more in tips than the folks at a mid-level chain. You need a higher ticket total to get higher tips. You may also be paying for higher quality beef or other ingredients. If I'm getting prime beef from a local farm and locally sourced lettuce and potatoes, I expect to pay more. and that's why i think you are probably paying as much for the atmosphere as you are the food. the servers and managers make dining at those restaurants feel like an event. the food and service is a better quality. the tip alone is often more than we would spend on an entire meal at a chain restaurant and for the dining experience, it's worth it. ETA: on second thought, i don't really think the steakhouses are gouging. gouging is when you inflate the prices of necessities when people have no other choice. steakhouses are not a necessity. they charge what they charge and we choose to pay it. it's an indulgence and not a matter of life and death. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Dec 12, 2023 21:40:50 GMT
gouging is when you inflate the prices of necessities when people have no other choice. Exactly. It's something you tend to see after natural disasters such as hurricanes or floods. I did not see the term 'gouging' in the article so it is somewhat misleading to use in the thread title. Are prices and profits up? Yes. Are businesses taking advantage of consumers who have no other options? In the vast majority of cases, no. Can we bitch about prices going up? Sure! It's been happening my entire life and I don't expect it to diminish anytime soon! |
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Gem Girl
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Post by Gem Girl on Dec 12, 2023 22:33:21 GMT
While we're talking about price fixing, let's discuss Amazon, shall we?
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Dec 13, 2023 1:30:12 GMT
One for example is Texas Roadhouse. I can eat a steak, 2 sides and dinner roll for the same price as a plate of pasta.
I consider that food more premium than pasta. I don't like Olive Garden myself and don't go there, for both price and quality reasons. Its price gouging as they are making huge profits at the expense of the consumer. People willing to go there and pay the prices has nothing to do with price gouging. I have and still do pay for items that I think are way over priced, because I either need them or cave to those that are gouging me so they can line their pockets.
had to take moment to read up on Texas Roadhouse. people seem to love the value they are getting for their money. food is good and prices are fair. there are concerns about the skyrocketing price of beef affecting their future pricing though. speaking of steak, if anyone is gouging, it's the fine steakhouses. $80 for a rib eye, $20 for a baked potato, $15 for a salad. hate that pricing but that's our guilty pleasure. i definitely think customers are paying just as much for the atmosphere as they are for the food. we will pay those prices just like the olive garden people will pay for that endless pasta bowl. every restaurant has their demographic and they price accordingly. Our local spot we like serves sides "family style" so usually, you order as you outlined above. And if you want sides, asparagus, broccoli, mashed potatoes, whatever... that's another $20 after tip as well. Just crazy how expensive everything has gotten. We enjoy Ken's Steakhouse, in Framingham, MA. It's kinda old school, but it is a staple steak house that normal people can go to and have a great steak on a weeknight without paying Abe and Louie's, Ruth's Chris or Smith and Wollensky's prices. But in the last 5 years, our check has nearly doubled. The other thing that the Olive Garden discourse brought to my attention. It used to be that I could give a Darden's $25 card to young people, or people that don't drink, and that would cover a dinner for two. Now, it doesn't cover a dinner for one for much of the menu, even if they don't drink alcohol (I assume they would tip outside the card.) So then I moved to $50 cards (same for Chili's, Outback etc) and NOW that doesn't even barely cover dinner for two.) I was taken aback several years ago, because I sent a $50 card to my sister and her husband, and they were super happy to get a "daytime date" they chose to go to the restaurant at lunch time to take advantage of the lower prices and be able to get a drink each. When I bought it, I thought of it as a "date night." But then I really had to reevaluate. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 13, 2023 1:44:25 GMT
Let’s remember too that people can’t avoid buying food and necessities no matter how much they’d like to stick it to the producers. Those living below the poverty line are feeling the worst effects of corporate greed because they typically only buy necessities. A big increase in their grocery bill then means they can’t pay rent or utilities. Not only all this, but lower income people tend to only buy exactly what they need when they need it, and often aren’t in a financial position to be able to shop sales, buying bulk or stock up on things when they’re being sold at a lower price. When you are down to your last roll of toilet paper and don’t have much money, you buy the smallest pack of the cheapest stuff because that’s what you can afford, but it’s very likely not the best value. |
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Dec 13, 2023 2:20:19 GMT
Let’s remember too that people can’t avoid buying food and necessities no matter how much they’d like to stick it to the producers. Those living below the poverty line are feeling the worst effects of corporate greed because they typically only buy necessities. A big increase in their grocery bill then means they can’t pay rent or utilities. Not only all this, but lower income people tend to only buy exactly what they need when they need it, and often aren’t in a financial position to be able to shop sales, buying bulk or stock up on things when they’re being sold at a lower price. When you are down to your last roll of toilet paper and don’t have much money, you buy the smallest pack of the cheapest stuff because that’s what you can afford, but it’s very likely not the best value. Same with just normal groceries. Buying stuff in season only works if you have a freezer (and stability to know that you won't have to move on short notice without couch surfing in between.) My sister was a massive hustler when the couponing thing was good and fun. We went hard at it. (Not sure what happened to Pam.. but I can't thank her enough for our run deals!!) But for me, it was all about the haul and the savings- the challenge. For her, it was lowest buy-in for maximum product, and what resold well. I literally had a full bathroom filled floor to ceiling with toilet paper and paper towels (I kid you not. I bet I saved $3000 on paper products rolling at CVS and Walgreens!) I didn't have to buy tp or pt for YEARS. She used her "stock" to sell on marketplace and supplement her income. Toothpaste, body wash, hair products, it was all easier if you were willing to put in the effort a couple years ago. Now? I walk out of CVS after maximizing their ECB's etc, and still feel a little taken. Not "fancy" shampoo $7?  Even being careful to maximize timing/savings, it's not as (relatively) low as it used to be. I don't care what your income bracket is. All people need to be clean. Wipe their tails, and buy tampons/pads and the random item. I spent $120 in two transactions at CVS this week. It will get our family to the end of December, easily, on paper towels, toilet paper, toothpaste, razors, soaps, batteries and modest stocking stuffers. $120 on stuff that will be consumed in the next 3 weeks. Not even groceries or utilities, or housing. And it all felt like necessities. My sisters income this month? After taxes (state healthcare and no 401k/espp savings) $2425. Minus house payment, money toward taxes, car, insurance, student loans, groceries, utilities. I really don't know how she does it. AND her job? She works in a group home for disabled adults. She takes care of people for a living. The thing I find insane is that she doesn't get the same standard of living. Read that again. She literally takes care of people's family members. Provides care (her employment) in a safe, stable setting (for people who need that care. Paid for by the state.) Then she goes home, and has to figure out a way to keep the lights on in her house. Toilet paper by the toilet and heat coming out of the vents. It makes me angry what portion of her income is earmarked for surviving. I do highly technical work, and I get paid pretty decent. It just blows my mind the work that she does and such a percentage of her income just goes to surviving. |
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Post by busy on Dec 13, 2023 2:47:44 GMT
So very true. I did not mention overhead, but ...
"Olive Garden is an American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian–American cuisine. It is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, Inc., which is headquartered in Orange County, Florida. As of 2022, Olive Garden restaurants accounted for $4.5 billion of the $9.63 billion revenue of its parent, Darden."
I believe their overhead is well covered by the $4.5 billion with plenty left over for the owner(s) to live high on the hog.
revenue does not equate to profit. revenue is just the overall income. profit is after expenses are factored in. i'm sure Olive Garden will say they barely make a profit because of their many expenses and increased cost of doing business. they will use that to justify increasing prices on a regular basis. that's corporate bookkeeping for you. Olive Garden's revenue for 2022 was $3.3 billion and profit was $728 million. That's hardly "barely a profit." www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/940944/000094094422000014/q3fy22exhibit991-earnings.htm |
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Post by Scrapper100 on Dec 13, 2023 5:18:31 GMT
A price gouging that I get irritated at are restaruants that serve pastas like The Olive Garden, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Carrabba's. $19.99-$21.99 for a plate of pasta with red or white sauce and extra if you add meat! For goodness sakes, its pasta, a cheap staple. This is also a reason why we normally eat at local mom and pop type places. While some aren’t always cheap we at least know the money is staying local for the most part. We also know which restaurants and businesses support the community. As long as they have good food and such we will support them over places especially chains. Of course we still buy things at Walmart and Amazon as for us there isn’t an option most of the time but when possible we like to support local shops/restaurants/farmers markets but sometimes it’s just too much more expensive or they don’t have what we need. |
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Post by Lurkingpea on Dec 13, 2023 7:31:07 GMT
I notice it mostly at the grocery store with items I consistently buy. If the price hasn't gone up, then the amount of product has decreased in the package. Yes. Soda water has mostly gone to 8 cans in a box rather then 12 with no price difference. Same with ice cream, cereal, pasta, etc. |
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Post by mollycoddle on Dec 13, 2023 14:39:08 GMT
Money (Profit) for stockholders is not being discussed here. How many of you have IRAs, 401Ks or pension plans that are heavily invested in the stock market? Quite a few I suspect. Are you complaining equally about the gains in your investment/retirement portfolios as you are about the increase in prices of goods and services? Stockholders are just as much a part of the issue as corporation management is. I was going to post the same thing. My investments are doing fine. I hope that the government does not step in and try to curtail some of the price increases. Our economy in the US is based on capitalism. If you are not pleased with the price of something; don't buy it, select a cheaper item, or make do. I go out to eat for the social aspect. I know it is cheaper to make it myself at home. I am retired and on a fixed income. I realize that things have gotten more expensive in some areas but the news and social media highlight the negative and make it seem like the sky is falling. I agree. I choose not to buy or patronize things/places that I feel are price gouging. Customers have the real power, IMO. Some of these companies are truly price gouging, and I can live without their products. |
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
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Post by RosieKat on Dec 13, 2023 15:12:18 GMT
My husband works for a company that does believe in treating the workers well, and I really appreciate it. The company is doing well, and it is passing that on to the employees, honestly believing that your biggest asset is your people. And it is an extremely large company, not just a small family type business - so it CAN happen. And trust me, the company is still raking it in, but is passing that on to the staff as a whole. They just happen to be providing a very hot commodity right now. So, it's a weird situation for us personally. We can afford to absorb all these added costs as long as we're smart, but it's still obscene. The answer to how expensive it was to eat out was always to cook it at home. Well, it blows my mind how expensive so many of the staples have gotten. The container of oats that used to be $1.98 is now 4 oz smaller and costs $2.97. The local analysis of how much "Home Alone's Kevin's" shopping trip would cost staggers my mind - it was something like $19 in the movie, about $44 last year, and $78 this year! THAT is not OK. Yes! My DH made pasta with meat sauce for 4 and it was less than $5 for the WHOLE MEAL! HOW? I can't get a pound of ground beef for less than $6. Seriously. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Dec 13, 2023 15:22:53 GMT
I am hearing "I got mine, I don't care if you can't get yours" from some peas.
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Post by Merge on Dec 13, 2023 15:38:10 GMT
Not only all this, but lower income people tend to only buy exactly what they need when they need it, and often aren’t in a financial position to be able to shop sales, buying bulk or stock up on things when they’re being sold at a lower price. When you are down to your last roll of toilet paper and don’t have much money, you buy the smallest pack of the cheapest stuff because that’s what you can afford, but it’s very likely not the best value. Same with just normal groceries. Buying stuff in season only works if you have a freezer (and stability to know that you won't have to move on short notice without couch surfing in between.) My sister was a massive hustler when the couponing thing was good and fun. We went hard at it. (Not sure what happened to Pam.. but I can't thank her enough for our run deals!!) But for me, it was all about the haul and the savings- the challenge. For her, it was lowest buy-in for maximum product, and what resold well. I literally had a full bathroom filled floor to ceiling with toilet paper and paper towels (I kid you not. I bet I saved $3000 on paper products rolling at CVS and Walgreens!) I didn't have to buy tp or pt for YEARS. She used her "stock" to sell on marketplace and supplement her income. Toothpaste, body wash, hair products, it was all easier if you were willing to put in the effort a couple years ago. Now? I walk out of CVS after maximizing their ECB's etc, and still feel a little taken. Not "fancy" shampoo $7? Even being careful to maximize timing/savings, it's not as (relatively) low as it used to be. I don't care what your income bracket is. All people need to be clean. Wipe their tails, and buy tampons/pads and the random item. I spent $120 in two transactions at CVS this week. It will get our family to the end of December, easily, on paper towels, toilet paper, toothpaste, razors, soaps, batteries and modest stocking stuffers. $120 on stuff that will be consumed in the next 3 weeks. Not even groceries or utilities, or housing. And it all felt like necessities. My sisters income this month? After taxes (state healthcare and no 401k/espp savings) $2425. Minus house payment, money toward taxes, car, insurance, student loans, groceries, utilities. I really don't know how she does it. AND her job? She works in a group home for disabled adults. She takes care of people for a living. The thing I find insane is that she doesn't get the same standard of living. Read that again. She literally takes care of people's family members. Provides care (her employment) in a safe, stable setting (for people who need that care. Paid for by the state.) Then she goes home, and has to figure out a way to keep the lights on in her house. Toilet paper by the toilet and heat coming out of the vents. It makes me angry what portion of her income is earmarked for surviving. I do highly technical work, and I get paid pretty decent. It just blows my mind the work that she does and such a percentage of her income just goes to surviving. Caregiving professions are paid like crap because in the past, all that was the unpaid labor of women in the home. Our society places little value on it. Very sad. Your sister is doing important work and deserves a decent living from it. |
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,852
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Post by Rhondito on Dec 13, 2023 17:55:54 GMT
I don't eat at Olive Garden, but I just looked up their menu online - at the location near me, the "Create Your Own Pasta" is $12.99; Fettuccine Alfredo is $16.29. I don't think those prices are out of line for that type of restaurant?
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,878
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Dec 13, 2023 19:48:05 GMT
Yes! My DH made pasta with meat sauce for 4 and it was less than $5 for the WHOLE MEAL! HOW? I can't get a pound of ground beef for less than $6. Seriously. We had left over frozen meat sauce that he used to make lasagna a few weeks back, cleaned out the fridge to supplement the sauce with veggies and left over pieces of cheese and a box of $1.25 spaghetti noodles. |
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Post by nightnurse on Dec 13, 2023 23:48:14 GMT
I was going to post the same thing. My investments are doing fine. I hope that the government does not step in and try to curtail some of the price increases. Our economy in the US is based on capitalism. If you are not pleased with the price of something; don't buy it, select a cheaper item, or make do. I go out to eat for the social aspect. I know it is cheaper to make it myself at home. I am retired and on a fixed income. I realize that things have gotten more expensive in some areas but the news and social media highlight the negative and make it seem like the sky is falling. I agree. I choose not to buy or patronize things/places that I feel are price gouging. Customers have the real power, IMO. Some of these companies are truly price gouging, and I can live without their products. Not going out to eat is an easy choice but the price gouging is everywhere. Consumers can’t choose not to eat, or put gas in their cars to get to work, or go barefoot because their shoes fell apart and they are choosing not to buy new ones. Consumers have less and less power in this country. Unfettered capitalism is a dangerous thing. |
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Even being careful to maximize timing/savings, it's not as (relatively) low as it used to be. I don't care what your income bracket is. All people need to be clean. Wipe their tails, and buy tampons/pads and the random item. I spent $120 in two transactions at CVS this week. It will get our family to the end of December, easily, on paper towels, toilet paper, toothpaste, razors, soaps, batteries and modest stocking stuffers. $120 on stuff that will be consumed in the next 3 weeks. Not even groceries or utilities, or housing. And it all felt like necessities. 
