Actions of a Diverse America: May 4th, 2025

Recession Income (Part 3)

Continued….

Restaurant Traps: Eating Out Without Getting Screwed

Let's be real: completely eliminating restaurants from your life is neither realistic nor necessary, even on a tight budget. The key is approaching them strategically instead of emotionally.

The Cost Reality Check

A typical restaurant meal costs 3-5 times what the same meal would cost at home. That $15 pasta dish? About $3-4 worth of ingredients. That $12 cocktail? About $2 in liquor and mixers.

This isn't just about the raw ingredients. You're paying for labor, rent, ambiance, and profit margins. There's nothing inherently wrong with this—just be conscious that you're choosing to spend money on the experience, not just the food.

Strategic Restaurant Spending

Instead of mindlessly eating out whenever you don't feel like cooking, allocate a specific restaurant budget. For a $200 monthly grocery…