I know this is a meme, but j do often find myself frustrated with how often my friends and family want to go out to eat.

I did some annual budget analysis and found my wife and I averaged almost $500/month on bars and restaurants in 2025 (also including takeout). I make over 2x the median household income in my area, but I still think it's extravagant and luxurious to constantly be going out to eat or drink, or to be ordering takeout. The same friends who are working multiple low-paying jobs and complaining about money are also the ones making plans that involve Ubering both ways to a bar to drink.

You can't budget your way out of poverty and we should absolutely try to fix the systemic issues we are faced with. Poor people deserve to have a good quality of life too. But also people need to review their consumption and ask if they really should be going out to eat 3x per week, or going on cruises every year.