Suze, Suze, Suze. I have always liked you. Your financial advice has been sound. But telling people to go a month without eating out! What's gotten into you, girl? Let's think about this: if people don't eat out then the restaurants can't pay their bills and the servers, cooks, busboys, farmers, linen suppliers, and yes, even the PR companies, lose work. And then those people can't pay their bills so the companies they frequent will suffer. Why single out one industry? Maybe I prefer to get rid of my cable, my friend can cut back on her shoe buying, and my brother can save on his gym membership. Suze, we need to be a bit more responsible.
Sure, eating out can be expensive. But it certainly doesn't have to be. My gosh, everywhere you look are wonderful values at every restaurant in the city. And eating out is fun. It's nourishing - not just for our bodies, but for our souls. Why would we give that up? Isn't there a way to have a fun meal with friends/family while we clip grocery coupons and use Marta instead of the car? I say yes! And if you need some suggestions of how, please comment and I'll send you a list.
Which brings me to my point: A group of local restaurants got together and are placing an ad to remind people about all the great reasons to eat out. These restaurateurs would be considered competitors at any other time. But today they are partners. It says a lot that they are pooling their dollars to make a statement to the local community. I hope it works. I hope everyone will go out and support a restaurant tonight.
As for Suze, well, I will try to forgive her.
