MONEY

Business seems to be off for just about everyone at a time when the economy is suppose to be doing very well. Houses are priced through the roof; you could sell your house today and make a big profit….the only problem is where do you move to? I guess we could move down south were the prices are lower and the pace is slower. We would learn to eat grits….no problem I already love grits. It’s the slow pace that would drive me nuts…I am a Monmouth County / New York mentality.

So what is causing the economy to seem sluggish? I am sure the price of gas is cutting into most families budgets, a family of two cars needs about $100 a week to keep running. With the big SUV’s probably about $150, sadly I still remember getting $2 worth of gas and getting almost a ¼ of a tank full, today that is ¾ of a gallon.

Being single and in the restaurant business I rarely go to a supermarket….when I do and buy a few things I am usually surprised at the size of the bill compared to what I bought. The prices at the new mega stores are a staggering…..$49 a lb for lobster meat…..like the $2 for gas….do you remember the three lobsters for $21.95 at the Clam Hut in Highlands? I also noticed that at one of the new mega stores they don’t sell basics like toilet paper or detergents which mean you have to go to two stores to get what you need for the home even the cereals for the kids.

I tried the prepared foods at the new mega stores and was not impressed. The presentation was great and everything smelled right but everything cost $6.99 a lb. even the rice or rice and peas or whatever. To be honest after the first date with the new mega stores I found the prepared foods at our older local stores to be equal or better and the prices were considerably lower. Even here you have to watch what you buy. When the produce is misted to keep it fresh the water weights 8.2 lbs per gallon. Make sure you shake out the water from misted produce before they weight it at the checkout.

I don’t know the answers to the economic questions….every time I stat to get a handle on them they change the questions. I do know that we need to price compare just about everything from the cost of breakfast to the price of gas. Maybe we don’t need to pay extra for the name….today the gas station down the corner was buying its gas from Shell Oil and selling it at a lower price….once again not paying for the name. And demand a good product for your money….if you are eating at a restaurant and something is not right…send it back ….especially at my place, you are doing us both a favor.