#1
#2
LusciousDs:
You could probably guild your new office in gold with all the money you saved on dolls and pencils.
#3
Similar_Dirt9758:
Specifically pickup trucks for people that would actually need a pickup truck. You'll see farmers and construction workers driving 20 year old trucks and office workers driving brand new $100K trucks.
top_value7293:
Yep, my husband had a 2003 Dodge Ram he used for all his remodeling and yard work stuff he did for us and other people… No frills. No backseat. Hail damage on the hood lol. But he kept that thing running! He passed away and my daughter drives it now. Still going!
We all enjoy the little joys in life. Maybe it’s treating yourself to a juicy steak or booking a spa day after a tiring week. Those tiny indulgences once felt routine. But now? They’ve become harder to justify. What used to be a simple reward suddenly feels like a luxury.
And while many of us have adjusted our spending, small businesses are feeling it, too. Rising costs aren’t just about consumer prices—they hit the supply chain hard. Business owners are juggling materials, shipping, and staff costs. It’s a constant battle to stay affordable. And not everyone can keep up. That’s where the strain starts to show.
#4
Moonface_chunker:
I took my kids to the movies last weekend. Just the three of us. It cost $150 with snacks included. Never again.
No-Understanding-912:
I think if movies/theaters want to survive, they need to suck it up and drastically cut ticket prices. Sure, it will hurt for a bit, but I bet more people will start going to the theaters and it will more than make up the difference. People love to complain about there's nothing to watch, everything is a sequel/prequel/remake, well it's because those have been guaranteed to make money and they can't take chances now with less and less people going to the movies.
#5
Potential_One8055:
It’s amazing how when you’re drunk, you want to feast on fast food. In the past, it was pizza delivery only or that Chinese place that stays open till 1am. Now you can get hammered and order literally from anywhere as though you’re going out to a fancy restaurant. It’s destroying my wallet.
#6
howaboutsomeotherday:
My favorite band has a firm “no recording, cameras, cell phones” policy. Security has kicked people out of venues when spotted with phones recording. My assumption, other performers don’t mind cameras at their shows - free advertisement and exposure.
Frosty_Coffee6564:
Security needs to crack tf down on that! Also, I saw Stevie Nicks in Hershey last year, and everyone was STANDING, blocking the view of those behind them! You wouldn’t have been able to get away with that at Virginia Beach Amphitheater, and they had staggered seats!
We spoke with Ankita Chopra, owner of Ankita’s Fashion Hub—a home-based business that specializes in affordable kids’ gifts and party favors. “I used to be a housewife,” she shares. “This all started as a hobby. I began with a few items, working out of my home.” What began as a passion project slowly turned into a thriving business.
“I started getting lots of orders,” Ankita shares. “People wanted budget-friendly gift options.” Whether for return gifts, small birthday presents, or wedding favors, her customers kept coming back. “It felt good to know I could help people find quality gifts.” She found a sweet spot between cost and creativity.
#7
monkeyballpirate:
Yea. Hard to pick one. Healthcare? Rent? Not being homeless?
SweetAsPi:
Even goodwill raised their prices lol.
#8
#9
But then the market shifted. “Things I used to sell for ₹99 now cost ₹199,” she says. Raw materials became more expensive. Labor charges climbed, too. The same products now cost nearly double to make. “It’s frustrating because I still want to keep things affordable.” But rising costs don’t leave much room.
“Shipping is another big headache,” she adds. “Rates have gone up and up.” Whether it’s local or courier, nothing’s cheap anymore. “Packaging materials, boxes, even tape, it all adds up.” Every order comes with hidden costs. And most people don’t see what happens behind the scenes. “It eats into our margins.”
#10
atx2004:
I just looked at my local salon's price for an all over color. No highlights, nothing but a single color, all over. $250. If I just wanted my roots done, $125. I think it's time to just let my grays show.
imacone417:
Hirstylist here. It’s because our overhead is getting expensive. Last year my overhead, taxes, personal property taxes, and state licensing fees equaled just under $40,000. I am in WA state.
#11
ale-Confection-6951:
Right. When I think about dining out, I think how much cheaper and healthier the food is when I make it at home. And I don't like wasting the food I bought.
#12
thefox47545:
Or knock-offs. Knock-off manufacturers are uping their quality because they can make it better and cheaper than the "officially licensed" stuff. Lots of times their quality and appearance are so good that the avg person can't tell that it's a fake. And if they can, they likely won't care, unless they work for fanatics.
Operating costs are higher than ever. “Even basic tasks are expensive now,” Ankita explains. Margins used to be wider, giving her room to grow. But with everything costing more, profits shrank. “We have to work twice as hard for the same returns.” It’s not sustainable long-term. “Something needs to change.”
#13
Negeren198:
Yeah even chicken is expensive.
Luckily we have a big supermarket where meat is 70% discount on the last day, wouldnt know how i could eat some meat without it.
#14
#15
Biff2019:
I remember when a McDonald's hamburger was $0.29, and a cheeseburger was $0.39.
WinnerAwkward480:
Also years back Taco Bell had a Sunday special that was 4 Taco's for a dollar . Wendy's use to have a taco bar on I think it was Wednesday's all you can eat for $5. And it was either Denny's or Shoneys that had a AYCE (all you can eat) breakfast bar for $5 When our 3 boys were teens they would put a hurting on them.
Suppliers are also under pressure. “It’s hard to get the stock I want,” she says. Some items are out of stock. Others are priced far too high. “You can’t plan properly when inventory is unstable.” Restocking is a constant challenge. She has to adjust daily. “It’s exhausting, honestly.”
#16
brandee61:
I always was too cheap to pay the $3-5 delivery fee and then need to tip another $5-10 on top just to get even pizza for my family. I don’t understand how people afford to door dash even a couple of times a month. My job told us we could door dash a lunch mid Covid and a $10 salad was going to be $29 by the time I had the feed and tip - I declined even though it wasn’t my money. Instead I had my husband pick up an app and entree from a nice restaurant and had more than enough for two of us.
#17
IslandEquivalent2565:
Can we talk about how the quality of their snacks has downgraded and they're less flavorful and generally not good.
#18
Cash flow has taken a hit, too. “Delayed payments create a ripple effect,” she says. It’s harder to keep the business moving. “If one thing gets stuck, everything else slows down.” Ankita says she’s constantly juggling. “I have to be very careful now.” Every rupee counts more than before.
#20
