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> I’ve just either switched to cheaper options or just stopped buying them at all. Same here. Several years ago I went through a period of bringing in 1/8 of

> I’ve just either switched to cheaper options or just stopped buying them at all. Same here. Several years ago I went through a period of bringing in 1/8 of my previous income over a stretch of two years. I had to tap into deep savings to stay afloat. In that stretch, I realized how much money was wasted on things that had absolutely no positive impact in my living situation. When the pandemic came around, I was blessed in keeping a stable job and continued to earn a comfortable wage, yet I found myself going back to a simpler mindset. And you know, I’ve been a lot happier. For example, I used to eat out all the time because I never had time to cook. Once that changed, what became one of my favorite meals was (apparently) a depression-era staple. Go figure. We’re so conditioned that in order to be good Americans, we have to be good consumers. The problem is, it’s gotten to an extreme level, and now we’re seeing how our out-of-balance lifestyles are actually problematic. Sure, there’s been ample profit, but these habits exact other costs we don’t see until it’s too late.

miketery 5y ago
> my favorite meals was (apparently) a depression-era staple Which one?
- echoradio 5y ago
  Haluski. Cabbage, onions, egg noodles, butter, salt and pepper (to taste). Eastern European comfort food. :)
- zsmi 5y ago
  My guess, mac and cheese. Definitely a staple of mine during the lean college years. https://livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/life_04.html https://livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/life_04.html "During the Depression, this self-sufficiency carried over into their social life. One-dish suppers and church potlucks were important ways to have fun and share food. On radio and in women's magazines, home economists taught women how to stretch their food budget with casseroles and meals like creamed chipped beef on toast or waffles. Chili, macaroni and cheese, soups, and creamed chicken on biscuits were popular meals."
  - mywittyname 5y ago
    Good ol' shit on a shingle.
nepthar 5y ago
Out of curiosity, which meal was that?
- echoradio 5y ago
  Haluski. :)
btheshoe 5y ago
Could you talk some more about the things you found unnecessary?
- echoradio 5y ago
  It’s a bit broad, but spending money because it made me feel like I was doing something. What a waste. I’d go to the bookstore, buy a stack of books — because I wanted to read and relax — only to fall asleep because I was so exhausted for running around. I’m kind of ashamed to even admit I lived a life like that. But one positive about stockpiling those books over the years: the pandemic have me ample time to read some of them!
Steltek 5y ago
> For example, I used to eat out all the time because I never had time to cook. I had a strangely opposite reaction during Covid: Recognizing that local restaurants would struggle, we doubled or tripled our usage of restaurants, plus a bump in tip on top. This was takeout, of course, but they would normally be dine-in experiences). We still lost a couple of our favorite restaurants to closures but on a whole, the town came through pretty well.
- t8e56vd4ih 5y ago
  that's about as useful as trying to fight global warming by keeping your fridge door open all the time.
  - Steltek 5y ago
    Setting the "wait for the US government to pass effective relief legislation" option aside for the moment, restaurants are a local business with local customers. Increasing patronage seems a fairly obvious way to support them to me and as a bonus, I don't have to cook. Turn the cynicism down a bit, will ya?
- SV_BubbleTime 5y ago
  I think you’re in for a surprise, if you think the restaurant closures from COVID are over with. I think a staggering number of businesses took loans to weather storm that will have lasted longer than anyone expected. Let’s see what your local scene looks like in two more years. If anything, I think the restaurants that have already closed down, or possibly the ones with a better financial sense then the majority.

miketery 5y ago

> my favorite meals was (apparently) a depression-era staple Which one?

echoradio 5y ago
Haluski. Cabbage, onions, egg noodles, butter, salt and pepper (to taste). Eastern European comfort food. :)
zsmi 5y ago
My guess, mac and cheese. Definitely a staple of mine during the lean college years. https://livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/life_04.html https://livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/life_04.html "During the Depression, this self-sufficiency carried over into their social life. One-dish suppers and church potlucks were important ways to have fun and share food. On radio and in women's magazines, home economists taught women how to stretch their food budget with casseroles and meals like creamed chipped beef on toast or waffles. Chili, macaroni and cheese, soups, and creamed chicken on biscuits were popular meals."
- mywittyname 5y ago
  Good ol' shit on a shingle.

nepthar 5y ago

Out of curiosity, which meal was that?

echoradio 5y ago
Haluski. :)

btheshoe 5y ago

Could you talk some more about the things you found unnecessary?

echoradio 5y ago
It’s a bit broad, but spending money because it made me feel like I was doing something. What a waste. I’d go to the bookstore, buy a stack of books — because I wanted to read and relax — only to fall asleep because I was so exhausted for running around. I’m kind of ashamed to even admit I lived a life like that. But one positive about stockpiling those books over the years: the pandemic have me ample time to read some of them!

Steltek 5y ago

> For example, I used to eat out all the time because I never had time to cook. I had a strangely opposite reaction during Covid: Recognizing that local restaurants would struggle, we doubled or tripled our usage of restaurants, plus a bump in tip on top. This was takeout, of course, but they would normally be dine-in experiences). We still lost a couple of our favorite restaurants to closures but on a whole, the town came through pretty well.

t8e56vd4ih 5y ago
that's about as useful as trying to fight global warming by keeping your fridge door open all the time.
- Steltek 5y ago
  Setting the "wait for the US government to pass effective relief legislation" option aside for the moment, restaurants are a local business with local customers. Increasing patronage seems a fairly obvious way to support them to me and as a bonus, I don't have to cook. Turn the cynicism down a bit, will ya?
SV_BubbleTime 5y ago
I think you’re in for a surprise, if you think the restaurant closures from COVID are over with. I think a staggering number of businesses took loans to weather storm that will have lasted longer than anyone expected. Let’s see what your local scene looks like in two more years. If anything, I think the restaurants that have already closed down, or possibly the ones with a better financial sense then the majority.