Coping with way too high inflation (....thanks a lot)

Texas Roadhouse here is a WAY better value than McDonald's or Subway. Lately, my wife asks about getting fast food, I suggest going to TRH. We always share a meal, she gets and extra salad and we usually get Rattlesnake bites, ice water to drink. With a tip, we're usually out of there for under $40.00/45.00 if it'sjust us, 80-90ish with the kids.

We did order fast food over this past weekend from a local place called Mr Hero. $54.00 for 4 of us. I didn't realize their steak and cheese was $9.00 for a "medium", the other sandwiches weren't much different in price. We all got medium meals. Yikes, that ain't happening again. At least with Roadhouse we usually have some left overs for lunch the next day.

 

I’d rather pick up a couple of NY strips for $14-16, or a rack of baby back. Birria tacos from a food truck is a better value than mcdumps.

 

Sure did forget that! But, I guess its a given, no?

When I scrounge some dead and down firewood, I try to estimate the amount of time it will last........"This load will be about a week's worth of free heat" sort of thing.

 

I do the same.

 

The kids were staying at my sisters last weekend, Wife and I went out for nachos and one cocktail each the bill came to 70$. Nope not doing that again.

 

When we got our dog Roscoe, we stayed with the food he had been given from the breeder under previous owners recommendation. Last night they sent another price increase email. We cancelled auto delivery and removed payment info. $72.95 for 2 15lb bags.
Just stopped at the local Tractor Supply and picked one that’s cheaper and 10lbs more.

 

Holy chit!
We have a little Mexican food place close that makes awesome steak tacos (plenty of steak, avocado,cheese,onions,sour cream and hot sauce) for 2.50ea. 2 of them fill me and same for wife. That leaves enough room for a good tip. We eat there a lot.

 

No going out to eat or especially delivery. The last time we had food delivered I said "that's it" $30 for three gyros and mushrooms and delivery charge. We are out in the country so no free delivery.
Cutting way down on driving. No going to visit mom once a week. (120 miles round trip). Waiting for errands to stack up before making a town run.
Groceries are killing us. The challenge use to be to get the bill under $100. Now if it is under $150, I am happy. We buy a lot of managers special and bulk items. The wildlife had a buffet with my garden this year. 24 tomato plans and 6 pepper plants eaten to the ground. That is everything that I planted except cucumbers. I guess they don't like those. I do have a ground hog in the freezer.
Electric has risen $17.

 

Wow you know things are getting tight when puppies are having to cut back!!!
I think our dog treat budget is excessive; however I am out voted 3 - 1.. When I mention it; the 2 dogs and wife!

I am talking about chewies, canned meats and dog bones NOT dog food or medicine..

 

Our dog is doing her part in the belt tightening. Went from $7.99 a bag to $6.49 a bag food. Now kitty cats may have to stop eating gourmet food , dry cat feed. Don't know how to go any cheaper except to change brand. Their brand is close the cheapest. That is another thing that has gone up. $9.99 ($8.99 when on sale) to $11.99.

 

When we do go out to eat, no adult beverages or dessert. Keeps the tab somewhat reasonable.

Have dessert back home. Most anything would be cheaper than restaurant desserts.

 

I'm pretty sure my fridge, beer fridge, and 2 freezers use more energy than that!

 

While it's not ideal to spend so much on luxury items, I work too hard not to enjoy myself. I raise my own meat, work 3 miles from home, and heat with wood. If that's not saving me enough money to spend some frivolously, I need to reevaluate my life. Not trying to sound like a jerk but it's just the way I feel.

 

Our dog got pregnant so she is not helping the cost cutting. Cattle feed went from 250 per ton to over 500 per ton. Oct. 9th, 3 Holsteins will leave and should cut our feed bill in half for a while.

She (Bear) is a look you in the face type of dog when you are talking to her. I asked her the other day, did you do the dirty dance with that stray dog? She just puts her head down to where her nose almost touches the ground.

 

My base electric bill with no usage is about 35 a month and I think my septic system electric usage is around 20-30 a month.
So basic service bill plus the septic system is a guaranteed 50-60 a month with nothing else being used.
natural gas is stupid though.
I'm considering shutting service off at the other house and just use space heaters to keep the pipes from freezing.
Gas service bill is now 40 a month with no usage. I'll be burning more this shoulder season..

 

Lady probably will eats more treats than dry dog food! Costco lamb and rice large dog bones.
And of course people food

 

We don't go out to eat that often and if we do it doesn't have to be high end. I am very happy with a good burger and maybe a cold beer but do not need that $100 steak dinner.
Dinner almost always has leftovers that becomes lunch the next day.

Working in the city the prices for a sandwich and a drink for lunch has increased a lot.
Co- workers eat out every day and complain that it is costing $15 or so for lunch. I just can't see that.

It doesn't look like things are going to change anytime soon.

 

We used to do Friday night at Longhorn Steakhouse or Stoneforge Tavern and Public House. A bit of a drive but worth it as long as you got there early enough. Too late getting going and the waiting lines everywhere would just be far too long, even with reservations sometimes. But that ended with the pandemic and we just don't do Friday nights out to eat any more.