perhaps the buffoon in the White House will be dead, his band of nogoodniks in disarray, but in the meantime . . .

Forgo eating out.
Forgo expensive stuff you cook at home. (More seasonal fresh veg, less meat.)
Put on hold any major expenditures - make what you have now carry on for another year or two.
Look at your credit card balances, if in the red, point your discretionary dollar there instead.
Act like you are poor, look at every dollar you spend and consider if it is better to keep it in your pocket rather than spend it.
Build up a cash reserve, if possible. Things might yet get worse . . . the expense of eating out may appear trivial later on.

I know it will hurt, especially for those who define themselves in terms of what they earn and what they spend.
I did when I retired.
Yearly spend is now about half of what it was when I was working. No, I have no idea what I was spending it all on.
Turns out I never needed to spend every cent that came in.

And at this particular restaurant, we had to order at the counter and the beer looked cheap for $5 (it was an electronic board that displayed the menu). He said the price had already gone up, by two bucks.

I made a comment to the cashier that it’s scary that menu prices were changing when at the restaurant. I don’t think he got my comment, because I was alluding to hyperinflation stories in prewar Germany when menu prices changed when at the restaurant.

Sadly I think we may see stagflation, which is even worse and more persistent. I was worried we would see it a few years ago, but the administration gave Powell the independence to do his job in navigating a soft landing.

because they need to make a profit and need to cut back themselves or keep increasing prices.

Bacon is now in 12oz packages that cost more than the 16oz used to. And the quality of the bacon is horrible, even a name brand frys up horrible. And the price of ground chuck $7.49 lb here in Michigan at Kroger and Meijer.
Factors Driving High Prices-----
Shrinking Cattle Inventory:
The primary driver is a severely reduced national cattle herd, which is at its lowest point since 1951.
High Consumer Demand:
Despite soaring prices, demand for ground beef remains strong, putting further upward pressure on prices.
Supply Chain Costs:
Increased costs for meat processing, transportation, and other supply chain factors also contribute to higher prices for consumers.
Increasing Farmer Age:
A contributing factor is also the increasing average age of farmers, which can impact production and the industry's ability to respond to supply shortages.

RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES NOW
#EpsteinFiles

We were very disappointed in our meal at our favorite local restaurant. I told my husband, if they can't serve me a meal that is at least on par with what I can make and serve at home it's just not worth it.

They started ordering cheaper quality (wings, steaks, mozzarella sticks, etc.) and the customers noticed.

I went out to dinner with my daughter this evening at a local Italian chain.
She ordered Chicken Parmesan & I ordered a 13" pizza.
We both got water and it came out to $48+. With tip $57+

This costs even more.

I have chronic, unrelenting pain. Last Sunday my son came to visit. I had two offers from Uber Eats. You could get $25 off an order of $1 or more. I made two separate orders from Buffalo Wild Wings. We got two orders of 20 wings, two large sides and four dips. It was delivered go my house. The total cost, with fees and tips, for both orders, was $22. The offer was only for delivery, so I could not save money by having my son pick it up. I felt like that was a great deal. If we had eaten it in the restaurant, without discounts, it would have cost over $50, with tip!

Going back to your point, yes, It would be cheaper to buy groceries. Yesterday I did an Insta art deal where I got $30 off any order of $50 or more. They do in store pricing at my Food Lion, so I can take advantage of deals the store offers that week. I got around $65 worth of groceries for $21! And since most items were on sale, I got three whole bags if groceries for that amount. The trick is I habe to cook a lot if it, so that means quite a bit of pain in my future. The groceries will last a lot longer than the two meals each my son and I made off of the Buffalo orders. But $4.50 A meal, to eat food from a restaurant, is not bad in this day and age

Glad you found those offers.

I order like twice a year, because it's so much more expensive.

You only read about prices going up in forums and on-line comments sections. M$M almost never runs a story on prices, never questions Trump when he asserts that prices are going down, seems fixated on stock market prices or anything but what’s actually going on in most people’s lives.

I expect it will continue to get more difficult for most folks. Trump and his cronies will continue to grift from the system and the M$M will focus on the Taylor Swift wedding or any other mundane distraction.

Some can't afford to eat out anymore and struggling paying bills. Son in law said they no longer eat out and credit cards are maxed out. Struggling paying mortgage car payments insurance medical bills utilities and groceries. Just like so many other families. So sad what is happening.

medical insurance and supplemental plans, including drug coverage.

The coupon was for any lunch item and a soda. I had chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and some (canned) corn, on the menu for $28! The food wasn’t great- tough steak, potatoes had a soapy taste. I substituted an IPA for the soda, and thought I’d be getting a full pint for $8 but it was a can, and it also was not very tasty. I would’ve felt like a big sucker had the entire bill been on me. I paid for the beer and tipped the waiter $8. I will continue to fix my economy meals at home instead of going out.

I order 2 eggs over well, sausage, rye toast home fries and coffee. Mrs Intern orders avocado eggs Benedict, toast and home fries. We each order coffee. With tip the bill is about $45. This is at a Jersey Diner, not 21 Club.

Problem is: buying the ingredients and making these at home given today’s prices is anything but cheap. You can’t buy four links of sausage or two pieces of very good rye bread so whereas yes, I’d get more meals if I shopped and cooked at home , I don’t want them or I’d weigh 400 pounds. So this is a treat and entertaining, since you never know what floor show you’ll get to watch when dining out.

Unfortunately, its the only thing he does well. It's definitely nothing to write home about.

say they are short staffed.

Also very fancy price fixe place we go to once or twice a year for celebrations were $125 to $150 a couple of years ago are now $175 to $200. Their regular rich clientele don't seem to care.

when looking for lodging, I look for places with at least a refrigerator and a microwave.Better yet a full kitchen. Most of the time I stop at a grocery store for food and beverages. That alone keeps me from dining out— the costs add up!

makes eating out more affordable cause I really want my cocktail.. for that reason happy hour dinners are great!

our former neighbors and good friends for decades are struggling with Alzheimer's.. going out for dinner once a week is a treat for both of them.

... most restaurant meals are way too much food for a single meal.

Last time I went out on a date, it was $220 before the tip. Granted, we had two bar drinks each, along with two entrees and two desserts. If we skipped the drinks, apps, and desserts, it still would have been over $60. But apps and desserts are fun. So, I have some honest questions, being that I used to work in the restaurant industry for years:

1) What did you order? Any apps or desserts?
2) Was it a diner? Chain restaurant? Mom and Pop place?

Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Mexican. Other similar places. I live in the midwest.

They said even McDonald’s was financially in trouble because many Americans were skipping breakfast as eating 3 meals a day is too expensive. McDonalds has a drop in breakfast customers.

I know I am definitely eating less as food- esp meat is very expensive. I have my own chickens but organic chicken food costs are now almost beyond what I can pay.

I’ll be growing greens and mini tomatoes in my south windows all winter long.

I never eat out - lots of money for low quality food but then I like to cook and I try to eat mostly organic. My long time boyfriend has digestion problems and will not eat out so it works for me.

and mid-level restaurants are hurt the most.

Many fast food chains will loss leader their burgers. For example McDonalds near me has a $3 Big Mac because Wendys just opened a location across the street. Burger King got into the fight with 2 for $5 and 3 for $7. So for those who must eat away from home due to work or travel it is worth tracking such deals.

Mid and higher priced restaurants have seen a big drop alcohol sales since millennials prefer nicotine. Beer, wine and liquor used to account for half the profits in a restaurant so it seems they are making up for the drop in alcohol sales by raising prices on menu items.

I'm sure it will keep going up.
I'm diabetic so I can't eat most of the sides anyway, I got a leg and thigh for $3.49.
But I've noticed throughout my long life (I started out earning $1.25 an hour) that a fast food meal basically costs one hour of minimum wage income. Any time period.
So, unbelievably, $16 fits into that here now, minimum wage is $17.81.

And being single AND diabetic, I cook for myself usually, but that means you basically have to eat the same food for about 4 days straight to make it economical.