Crunching and Munching Our Way Through This Economy

Fortunately, we have not really been affected by the economy.

Yet.  Although, I do feel really, really lucky that we have been given a sort of “heads up” that it might be wise to ramp back on our spending.

So, while we are counting our lucky, lucky stars, we still have invoked some cutbacks.  It’s just common sense in this economic environment, no?    One of the first slashes at our so-called budget was in the area of Eating Out.

The yummy but expensive spot where we used to get our weekly Thai fix?  Out.

The lovely but expensive little spot in downtown Kansas City that served fresh, crunchy salads and delicious tapas?  Out.

Sushi lovingly carved right before your eyes?  Out.

The mouth-watering, but slightly expensive Persian buffet that we used to frequent so much that I nearly went into labor with our 2nd child there? Out.

This list goes on, but the gist is this:  we are still eating out as frequently, but we are spending less money.  This has translated into us frequenting a nearby deli and a local Mexican restaurant far more often than we had in the past.  Furthermore, that same Mexican restaurant actually lowered its prices.  Whoa.

One of my shallow concerns in all of this is that my favorite high-end local establishments will not survive this economic environment and that they will close up shop by the time I can start frequenting them again.

Damn, how I miss meal with menu items that have me running for a dictionary.  But an enchilada with poblanas sauce is not so shabby, either, so I cannot complain too much.