"We can't justify a £52 lunch" - AIBU to think you didn't need to?

[PropitiousJump]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg3g11z6d8o

I found this article irritating. Middle earning families complaining they can't afford a day out, in part because of the expense of eating lunch and dinner out. A family of four in both cases.

I completely agree it's got expensive to eat out, but have they never heard of taking your own sandwiches?

And if you look at what they've eaten, they've ordered a lot of extras that have bumped up the bill.

Costa family - £52 lunch for four. If they could have done without an overpriced bag of crisps on top of their mains, and not had puddings (this was lunch, not dinner) they could have got the bill down to a more reasonable £40ish - a tenner each.

Pizza Express family - £174 dinner for four. If they cut out the starter and side orders and the adults had soft drinks instead of alcohol, they could have got the bill down to approx £109 for soft drinks, mains and a dessert each.

This isn't saying they are eating too much - it's not a diet-bashing thread - but common sense says that if you are eating in a chain place on a day out and trying to keep costs down, you don't order loads of extras and alcohol. Have a drink and a snack at home if you're still hungry. Save all the extras for an 'occasion' where eating out is the focus of the event and you're going somewhere special, not fuelling up in a chain restaurant.

AIBU?

That £8.99 is really going to start coming into its own, lol.

Did the day ever exist when families on relatively average salaries could afford to treat themselves in this way?
In my entire childhood, we never once had a family meal out. We did occasionally go to a cafe for a drink/doughnut/ ice cream, but nothing more than that. The odd fish and chips. Nor did my husband.
When Costas first appeared they were quite glamorous and nicely furnished IMO. These days, I avoid them if at all possible. They are too often dirty with uncleared tables and filthy toilets (my main gripe) - clearly not been properly cleaned in a VERY long time. Also, the food is junk at a very high price point.
It would be nice to think the tide may be turning and people are starting to look for value for money in terms of a hygienic environment, good service and fresh food.
I think there's a bit of an appetite for the Independents, where you are more likely to find home made cake, a welcoming smile, and freshly cooked food brought to table.

The ability to keep people alive for longer is 100% a separate discussion and opens up so many cans of worms – do you halt medical advancements? Do you deny people access to treatment when they reach X age, but grant it for younger patients? It's an ethical minefield and doesn't have hardly anything to do with fiscal drag.

The point is that the middle earners cant afford to go out anymore and spend money in p

i mean yeah we earn well - but we stopped going out to eat all together this past year as even the local pub costs around 70£ for 2 adults and 2 kids meals (yes we used to always get a pint and some juices as well which bumped up the price) and we havn't had a take away in about a year either as the cost is just insane - ive put stuff in the basket many times and then change my mind when i see the price!

Even just to order a pizza is expensive - also places like costa - the toasties are like 5.95 now and coffees nearly a fiver too - its insane money!

I dont know how all these cafes and pubs and restraunts will stay open if people aren't spending in them anymore

Or maybe develop some interests or hobbies.

You've missed the point of the article, as others have said. Did you even read it?

We don’t waste money either and rarely eat out precisely because it’s expensive.

But I understand the point of the article is it’s a pretty miserable way to live when a hardworking family on a medium income can’t afford a glass of wine now and then when they eat out.

And as others have said when the middle classes are struggling and having to cut back all fun/discretionary spending that isn’t good for the economy either.

Nobody buys a glass of wine with their lunch then the restaurant will struggle and all the staff will be out of work etc.

Which generally also cost money.

The BBC paid so of course they are going to order all the extras, i doubt they do on a normal day out

Free interests and hobbies?

Gardening, but without ever investing in your garden. Reading, but only ever getting books from libraries, assuming there is one in your area. Running, but only in shoes you already own. Playing 5-a-side football or netball, but only in public parks.

But often far less money than what it takes to be entertained and fed by others

Libraries are free, you can garden cheaply, ditto hiking/ running, have craft supplies for presents,learn to cook….

Are you saying there’s no problem with the economy?

Pizza Express is on First Table - they could have downloaded the app and got 50% off their food!

Agree eating out is a lot more expensive that it used to be; but equally some people are shite at researching deals

I very, very rarely will pay full price for any meal. Groupon, Wowcher, First Table plus restaurants own special offers…
There are so many options to save

Recent deals - 5 tapas for £33, with 50% off - so £16.50 for 2 of us. Even with a bottle of wine that was under £40 for dinner for 2

4 of us last night - £120 for poppadoms/pickles, starter, main, side, 2 drinks each and a tip. I thought that was good value

I do still love a picnic too sometimes ☺️

Not great for kids?

We can afford to eat out but we don't.
We usually take sandwiches etc.
We often go self catering in holidays too, yet still have a brilliant time.
It's not a hardship not to pay over the odds for this stuff.

I’m a voracious reader and only ever read books from the library. You can order or reserve brand new books for nothing, I hike in 10 year old boots, I garden cheaply by growing from seed and reusing items….

Everything doesn’t have to involve spending hoards of money.

High income here. Very rarely eat out any more, very rarely order takeaways any more, not sure we can afford a holiday this year as it's an expensive year in other ways.

Went out for my Mother's Day treat yesterday - a trip to the garden centre. 3 hot drinks (1 tea, 2 coffees), 2 slices of cake (carrot cake and millionaire's shortbread), 2 bowls of soup with bread (tomato & basil, pea & mint) - £52 for 3 people. You what?!

I don't expect anyone to get their tiny violin out, but the fact that it can't be spoken about or seen as a problem for the economy is wild.

Amen.

Our combined income is considerably more than it was 10 years ago, but our quality of life and ability to afford to do nice things is noticeably less. How depressing is that? I've worked since I was 16, have always been employed in some capacity from that age, even PT when studying. I have worked hard to work my way up in my current role and get promotions, etc. But the current economic situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I cannot feel the benefit day to day.

I mean it's not a bloody race to the bottom, is it? Life is meant to be enjoyable, isn't it?

Although a lot of the responses on this post would indicate perhaps it is indeed, a race to the bottom, which is also quite depressing really.

And if you don’t have a garden or access to outside space? Or anyone who can afford to give you craft supplies - they have really increased in price recently.

Learning to cook is expensive - often specialist ingredients, wastage and of course the cost of fuel.

Hiking / running - again, you need decent shoes which cost money.

Plus not everyone has the same interests. Obviously.

Oh yes Brexit has impacted our economy however I’m talking about what hardship is and necessities. Going without eating out in Costa or PE is not a hardship and amusing yourself does not have to involve hoards of cash either.

If you are having warm squished sandwiches then you are doing it wrong.

You do realise that if everyone was like you, the economy would collapse though?

And that poster is already in a privileged position if she has a garden and hiking boots. If you’re starting from scratch then it still costs money!

Window boxes, indoor plants, there are communal gardening clubs working on spaces , allotments…..Learning to cook well on a budget and not waste food is not expensive. There are all sorts of places to buy craft supplies from, a box of watercolour lasts forever. You don’t need the latest most expensive hiking or running shoes…..