The number of restaurant closings is steadily increasing. Why? The obvious answer is inflation. The cost of goods, services, wages, taxes, insurances are all rising. People can not longer afford to eat at a nice restaurant when you stop and consider that the same amount of money would easily pay for a week’s worth of groceries, part of a mortgage payment, someone’s rent, a car payment and so much more. The other factor is the work at home individuals. They are no longer going into work and having lunch with their collegues or a drink and possibly and appetizer before heading home. The average person lives reasonably comfortably and even the cost of dining out is now too much for them. If you go to a downtown in any large city, you can count the number of eateries that are now closed due to lack of foot traffic. In California alone, the rising minimum wage has caused the closing of many restaurants. Years ago when my son was in college, the minimum wage for a waiter in Tennessee was one dollar thirty-nine cents or one and forty-nine cents Euros. The wages for restaurant workers is much lower as tips are a factor. However, it has and always was unjust because people may not tip or give a small tip. The wage scale should reflect the economy and be fair to everyone. Yet now that it is changing, the number of restaurant closings has increased dramatically. Just last week, my daughter bought a mini Dairy Queen Blizzard for her and my granddaughter. I nearly fainted at the price as it was drive through only. It was seven dollars and fifty-six cents or eight Euors and eight cents. She saw my face and said that is how it is now. Because it has been so hot we haven’t been able to buy ice cream and bring it home even with a cooler full of ice and air conditioning in her truck. So the next time you are considering fine dining, think again and check the prices, don’t you agree? The Good Gus Series is available online at Kindle, Nook and Waterstones. Hard copies, personally autographed, are available through our website www.goodgusbooks.com along with past blogs for your reading enjoyment. Now available audio and videos for the Good Gus series on YouTube! Digitizing for all the books are available now on YouTube! “Misplaced Trust” is now available on Amazon in e-book form. It is also available digitally at www.misplacedtrustbook.com. If you are thinking of a Will or a Living Trust, “Misplaced Trust” will give you the information you need to make an informed decision. Please check me out on IHeart radio. The Good Gus series, books one through four, are now available at the Morgan Mill Mail/UPS. I am now on Instagram and X! Remember, the free budget is available simply by emailing me at mae@misplacedtrustbook.com.