They’ve reached a (no) tipping point. Apparently, the guilt-tipping trend isn’t limited to the US: A man in Hungary was dumbfounded after getting hit up for a 20% gratuity at a water park’s self-service kiosk, which he detailed in a viral Reddit post. The man had reportedly been stopping by a stand to buy a … Read more
Americans getting burned by their summer air conditioning bills are forced to cut costs elsewhere to afford it. One in three US households trimmed grocery spending to afford their utility bills, according to new data from PowerSetter, a platform used to compare energy rates. The company reported that 75% of the survey participants, of which … Read more
No wonder we can’t make ends meat. A beefy batch of data has revealed some charred truths about the astronomical prices we’re paying for a burger, fries and a drink across the United States these days, as rampant inflation continues to impact all aspects of American daily life. And while New Yorkers might think they’ve … Read more
She saved a lot of dough in this garden. An Olive Garden customer became the envy of wallet-weary diners everywhere after scoring two pastas for just $6.99 amid inflation. She detailed this incredible life hack in a TikTok video with over 100,000 views. “It’s the perfect option to fill you up,” Lucie (@xoxoluciee) captioned the … Read more
Big hubbub in Little China. At a time when NYC’s Chinatown faces multiple threats ranging from decreased foot traffic and violent crime to urban renewal, one local organization has come up with a great way to support the historic nabe — by throwing a fun and affordable late-night party. For a few fleeting Fridays this summer, … Read more
An influencer’s raison d’etre is influencing their followers to buy stuff — usually on behalf of a paying sponsor. That’s why it’s so surprising that “underconsumption-core,” an increasingly popular trend in which people boast their under-spending, has emerged as a rebuttal to influencer culture. “TikTok has turned almost everything into an opportunity for consumerism,” beauty … Read more
I scream for ice cream — and these prices. Ice cream is an essential dessert during the summer, especially in this heat. But just like everything these days, inflation has come for the beloved sweet treat with retail ice cream prices reaching a high of $6.02 per half gallon in 2023 — up from under … Read more
Has the King begun a reign of terror? A customer at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike thinks she caught Burger King using dynamic pricing red-handed — all after the fast food company mocked the concept earlier this year. “The price of my Burger King meal got more expensive as I was checking … Read more
Continental taste, Coney Island budget. With the cost of traveling to Europe soaring as “record numbers” of travelers flock overseas, even as the dollar weakens, the traditional summer destination could be out of reach for a lot of New Yorkers in 2024. “There’s been such a huge demand for travel in the past three years, … Read more
Firing up the grill this Fourth of July will burn a hole in wallets. The cost of feeding a party of 10 this Independence Day weekend is at a record high — an average of $71.22 ($7.12 per person) driven up by the cost of meat, according to the latest statistics from the American Farm … Read more
He’s spilling the beans. Chipotle is taking all kinds of heat these days, but judging by the size of the complaining chorus, the biggest beef customers appear to have with the trendy fast casual is shrinking portions — all while prices rise higher than ever. Now, a New York City-based Wells Fargo analyst has actually studied … Read more
Daniel Jean couldn’t afford to give his bride, Esmy Valdez, an over-the-top wedding. So, the Brooklynite took it underground — to the subway. “We didn’t have the money to do the dream reception that I’d always envisioned,” Jean, 39, a marketing manager from Flatbush, told The Post, noting the high cost of hosting nuptials in … Read more
The housing market is booming, baby. As the cost of living remains dangerously high, and chronic loneliness continues wreaking havoc on singletons nationwide, Baby Boomers have devised a pennywise strategy towards combating both epidemics. Becoming “boommates.” The “boommates” trend sees members of the Baby Boomer generation move in with one another to combat the inflation and … Read more
Period, end of sentence. Tampons are shrinking as manufacturers seek to pad profits, a growing number of users are arguing, saying they feel strung along — even as experts insist there’s been no change at all. In recent months, women old enough to know which type of tampons to use and when have been sharing they’ve … Read more
Don’t let your money sip away! The easiest way to save money on coffee is to make it at home, but some of us can’t live without our Venti Java Chip Frappuccinos — a treat that’s become increasingly expensive in recent years. Fortunately, a former Starbucks barista reveals, you don’t have to give up your visits … Read more
It’s a real jolt to the system. New Yorkers have never been forced to pay this much for coffee, as inflation forces Gotham’s grounds merchants to jack their prices ever higher in an effort to keep up with the joe-neses. And yet, a few brave bean depots in the Big Apple are quietly pushing back … Read more
Gen Z’s latest and greatest contribution to the culture? Doing nothing. A growing number of Zoomers are refusing to embrace adulthood, according to statistics — choosing instead to be NEETs, Fortune reported. NEET stands for “not in employment, education, or training” — and the lifestyle is thought to be contributing to record levels of youth unemployment around … Read more
If your Starbucks bills seem to be lower despite inflation, you’re not going crazy. On the menu of the coffee chain, a grande Caramel Frappuccino is listed at around $5.65 and a grande brewed coffee is about $3.65. But these days, customers are getting their drinks for half the price. The beloved coffee chain has … Read more
Their savings are getting mono-railed. A new survey found that 45% of parents with kids have been put into debt from their recent Disney trip — the average amount landing them $1,983 in the red. The eye-popping numbers from LendingTree also found that 41% of parents with children regret the financial damage from their vacation … Read more
Honey, I shrunk the lids. Does Panda Express have a shrinkflation problem? One disappointed customer is sounding the alarm on the orange chicken monger, claiming the popular Chinese fast casual has severely downsized its takeout containers — even as prices have gone up. “Panda Express food container got smaller,” griped TikTok user @jayasuriyafamily in a recent … Read more