I don't understand how people cant afford to go out

[Anonymous]

I sort of see OP's point -- if you look at marginal cost. Let's say gas is $2/gal higher than a year ago, and you have a car with a 15-gallon tank you fill twice a month. That's 15 * $2 * 2 = $60/month more fuel costs than before. True for some people, an additional $60 monthly expenditure would be unbearable, but not for most. It does ignore that other costs have gone up also though.

Personally if I needed to save, I'd just look to public transporation when possible, or even drive the short distance to make that an option. For example, Ride-On buses in MoCo are free for everyone currently. Then, I'd look at less costly options for eating out or food -- more cooked from scratch vs. ready-made.

[Anonymous]

I think Covid has (hopefully temporarily?) messed up many people’s sociability, and they are looking for any reason to stay in, order food and binge on some TV show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand how people cant afford to go out.

Gas prcies are up but its only like $50 dollars every 2 weeks for me.

At the end of the day I only spending $40 dollars more a month on gas? Maybe its time to start paying people a living wage. I just don't understand how folks on Facebook are staying home and not going on when they are "working" full tine...

Op my family of 4 went to dinner last night in DC. Our ticket consisted of two BBQ sandwiches with a side each, two BBQ platters with two sides each, and one beer. The tab before tip was $72. If you don’t understand how some people could have a hard time with that I don’t know what to tell you.

Man that’s insane. A few years ago, that meal would’ve been half that price.

+1000

[Anonymous]

I spend $192 dollars on gas this weekend. I spend $225 last week. Will be spending $150 next week on gas.

All I did was drive to kids graduation then two trips for the two kids in college then a wedding next week. I have to take my larger vehicle as five in car plus five suitcases or moving out college needed trick.

Gas is pushing $5 dollars a gallon. My vehicle gets 16 mpg.

I have a smaller vehicle but can’t move out a dorm room or take five people with luggage

Last year would Hs do been half the cost

[Anonymous]

You do realize the average American has less than $500 in their bank account, right? And live paycheck to paycheck? Your privileged world is not typical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sort of see OP's point -- if you look at marginal cost. Let's say gas is $2/gal higher than a year ago, and you have a car with a 15-gallon tank you fill twice a month. That's 15 * $2 * 2 = $60/month more fuel costs than before. True for some people, an additional $60 monthly expenditure would be unbearable, but not for most. It does ignore that other costs have gone up also though.

Personally if I needed to save, I'd just look to public transporation when possible, or even drive the short distance to make that an option. For example, Ride-On buses in MoCo are free for everyone currently. Then, I'd look at less costly options for eating out or food -- more cooked from scratch vs. ready-made.

It’s not just gas. Everything has gotten more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand how people cant afford to go out.

Gas prcies are up but its only like $50 dollars every 2 weeks for me.

At the end of the day I only spending $40 dollars more a month on gas? Maybe its time to start paying people a living wage. I just don't understand how folks on Facebook are staying home and not going on when they are "working" full tine...

Op my family of 4 went to dinner last night in DC. Our ticket consisted of two BBQ sandwiches with a side each, two BBQ platters with two sides each, and one beer. The tab before tip was $72. If you don’t understand how some people could have a hard time with that I don’t know what to tell you.

dumb meal.

[Anonymous]

I mean, c'mon, everyone I know is a lobbyist, Big Lawyer, tech or defense industry executive, or dual GS-15/10 family. People aren't really hurting out there, right? Right???

[Anonymous]

Don’t people realize that “paying a living wage” means that companies have to raise their prices thereby causing everything to be more expensive which in turn means that the “living wage” doesn’t buy as much stuff??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t people realize that “paying a living wage” means that companies have to raise their prices thereby causing everything to be more expensive which in turn means that the “living wage” doesn’t buy as much stuff??

Companies don’t have to raise their prices when they pay people more. They can stop overpaying their executives and shareholders such a grotesque amount of money. It’s ridiculous how people complain so bitterly about income redistribution only when the workers benefit; not when the owners and shareholders make off like bandits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t people realize that “paying a living wage” means that companies have to raise their prices thereby causing everything to be more expensive which in turn means that the “living wage” doesn’t buy as much stuff??

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t people realize that “paying a living wage” means that companies have to raise their prices thereby causing everything to be more expensive which in turn means that the “living wage” doesn’t buy as much stuff??

No.

"No" meaning "you're incorrect," not "No, people don't 'realize' your overly simplistic reasoning is correct."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand how people cant afford to go out.

Gas prcies are up but its only like $50 dollars every 2 weeks for me.

At the end of the day I only spending $40 dollars more a month on gas? Maybe its time to start paying people a living wage. I just don't understand how folks on Facebook are staying home and not going on when they are "working" full tine...

Op my family of 4 went to dinner last night in DC. Our ticket consisted of two BBQ sandwiches with a side each, two BBQ platters with two sides each, and one beer. The tab before tip was $72. If you don’t understand how some people could have a hard time with that I don’t know what to tell you.

Man that’s insane. A few years ago, that meal would’ve been half that price.

???

How many years ago is "a few years ago" to you? Even 10 years ago it wouldn't have been half the price. Maybe 20.

[Anonymous]

Some people are going hungry.
Some people can't afford diapers for their babies, or hygienic products for themselves.
There was that teacher in that WaPo article selling her plasma to make ends meet (which will make her less resistant to illness, not a good idea in times of Covid).
Some people don't have a car, and count every penny.

Are you so stinking privileged that you cannot imagine how the other half lives?

Shame on you, OP.

[Anonymous]

I first read OP's title as: "I can't understand how people can afford to go out"...


... and was about to respond with some of my own economic tips when I re-read the title again.


Can't help you, OP. You'd need a heart and brain transplant.