Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2009 So, the other night in the span of 2 hours watching television I saw 3 separate commercials for food where they directly made a reference to our current economic state. The first was for Subway repping the $5 Footlong, the second was from Quizno's where they used the phrase "bailout" in regards to cheap sandwiches and the third was for Hamburger Helper. In that one the H.H hand was helping a housewife work out her budget and in the end they come to the realization that it's a cheap, hearty and delicious meal for the whole family. Found this all pretty interesting. I mean, in the past we've all seen commercials advertising deals on food but this is the first time that I can remember food companies outright mentioning and, to an extent, exploiting peoples fears about money. Has anybody else noticed this? Be it on t.v, at a local diner etc..? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 14, 2009 I think it's definitely a noticeable trend, although the most particularly disturbing part of all that is the exploitation about people's fears regarding money... And neglecting their own health as a result. Cheap food is not healthy food, unfortunately, unless you buy it and cook it yourself. There's an excellent rant that Michael Pollan makes about the real cost of a 99 cent cheeseburger that really explains it pretty well if you look around for it online, but the point of it is that what's cheap for most people is really, really terrible food. I haven't seen the hamburger helper ad and Quizno's is losing a lot of money because they're trying to compete with Subway and their $5 footlongs so they're just getting desperate at this point. Subway's $5 sandwiches are great if you're a college student or if you're like me and you just need something to tide you over for the middle of the day and then take home later and enjoy so you don't have to cook. But the problem with fast food and other sorts of "disposable" meals like fast food and shit in a box like H.H. and Kraft Mac and Cheese, is that it's killing people's ability to cook or learn how to cook even, and it's just adding more and more waste to the environment while adding to everyone's waistlines and further down the road, their medical bills. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2009 Agreed on all fronts but the biggest problem IMO is that people don't/can't find bargains in regards to healthier food that still tastes good. I'm not in the best financial state and while I'd love to eat healthy all the time it's hard to justify spending upwards of 10 bucks on a meal or ingredients when I can snag two double-cheeseburgers from McD's for under 3 bucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Niggardly King 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2009 Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, KFC, McDonalds, and Little Ceaser's I noticed have done this. Carl's Jr. too. I had that 2 Big Mac deal today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YourKock'sReallyGreat 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2009 Why is the subway 5 dollar foot long so great? I dont really view it as someone saving money in the long run. You can get a pound of turkey, cheese, bread, mayo, mustard, bag of chips for $15 dollars and get about 8 meals out of it. With subway you are spending 15 dollars on 3 meals. Wendys has really been promoting their 3 sandwiches on the dollar menu. Applebees, Chilis and Outback have all been promoting their $10 dollar dinners and their new lunch menu. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted January 15, 2009 What is pissing me off is that when gas prices were hovering at 4+ dollars a gallon, the cost of food in the grocery stores went up, but now that gas is back down to under $2 a gallon, you'd THINK that food prices would fall, but they haven't. Stuff is still outrageous at the grocery store. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maztinho 0 Report post Posted January 15, 2009 What is pissing me off is that when gas prices were hovering at 4+ dollars a gallon, the cost of food in the grocery stores went up, but now that gas is back down to under $2 a gallon, you'd THINK that food prices would fall, but they haven't. Stuff is still outrageous at the grocery store. Actually at my store they have returned to reasonable prices (basically the same before the gas skyrocket), but people still think everything is too expensive. Not that I think you are doing that Mike, but people that come in to where I work look at the price for a semi-exotic apple and go, 2.49 a pound? Yeah, Pacific Rose Apples run that much, that's how much they like always are. But the pricing people did keep things a touch high milking it for a bit though, that was definitive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted January 16, 2009 I saw a Nutri-system commercial advertising the costs of the program vs. the average cost of groceries. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BifEverchad 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2009 I saw a Nutri-system commercial advertising the costs of the program vs. the average cost of groceries. Wow - just as I read this I looked up and the commercial came on. Weeeird.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xavier Cromartie 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2009 Cheap food is not healthy foodThis statement is generally true, particularly in regard to wheat-based products. But, healthy food is not necessarily all that expensive. Every day, I consume the same healthy, nutritionally balanced, delicious, 3440-Calorie diet that includes 'expensive' sashimi. I'm going to calculate the (approximate) cost per week right now. * 5 gallons of orange juice @ $6.49 per gallon = $32.45 * .25 liters of olive oil @ $39.22 per 3 liters = $3.27 * 98 cubes of sugar @ $1.39 per 126 cubes = $1.08 * 14 oz of organic Medjool dates @ $5.99 per 12 oz = $6.99 * 1.5 cups of organic raisins @ $5.09 per 3 cups = $2.55 * 4 lb of Roma tomatoes @ $1.49 per lb = $5.96 * 14 oz of salmon sashimi @ $75.58 per 64 oz = $16.53 * 7.5 lb of bananas @ $0.69 per lb = $5.18 * 7 oz of organic coconut oil @ $11.29 per 14 oz = $5.65 * 7 yolks of cage-free, ω−3 eggs @ $3.27 per dozen = $1.91 Total cost for one week = $81.57. It's totally worth it for the improved physical fitness, disappearance of physical ailments, improved mental clarity, and happier mood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2009 That's an awful lot of orange juice in a week, isn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2009 Oh, on that note, I've also made a pledge to start drinking more of that V8 fusion stuff. Tomato juice, clamato, and other similar products have long disgusted me, but this Fusion is really good, and two servings of veggies a glass? That's key. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godthedog 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2009 Agreed on all fronts but the biggest problem IMO is that people don't/can't find bargains in regards to healthier food that still tastes good. I'm not in the best financial state and while I'd love to eat healthy all the time it's hard to justify spending upwards of 10 bucks on a meal or ingredients when I can snag two double-cheeseburgers from McD's for under 3 bucks. pollan talks about this too: that our spending habits as americans (and i guess canadians) are such that we feel cheated if we spend more than bare minimum on food, so that we can spend it on luxuries. what would that extra 7 bucks go to? i mean, you're well-off enough to have a computer and internet, so i'm guessing that you're not in dire need of saving every single dollar possible just to pay the heating bill and rent. it's about rearranging the priorities so that food actually amounts to a genuine investment that you're making in yourself. would you go to the gym with the cheapest membership if it had old equipment that broke all the time and no hot water in the showers? Every day, I consume the same healthy, nutritionally balanced, delicious, 3440-Calorie diet that includes 'expensive' sashimi. I'm going to calculate the (approximate) cost per week right now. * 5 gallons of orange juice @ $6.49 per gallon = $32.45 * .25 liters of olive oil @ $39.22 per 3 liters = $3.27 * 98 cubes of sugar @ $1.39 per 126 cubes = $1.08 * 14 oz of organic Medjool dates @ $5.99 per 12 oz = $6.99 * 1.5 cups of organic raisins @ $5.09 per 3 cups = $2.55 * 4 lb of Roma tomatoes @ $1.49 per lb = $5.96 * 14 oz of salmon sashimi @ $75.58 per 64 oz = $16.53 * 7.5 lb of bananas @ $0.69 per lb = $5.18 * 7 oz of organic coconut oil @ $11.29 per 14 oz = $5.65 * 7 yolks of cage-free, ω−3 eggs @ $3.27 per dozen = $1.91 Total cost for one week = $81.57. It's totally worth it for the improved physical fitness, disappearance of physical ailments, improved mental clarity, and happier mood. this sounds like the ultimate warrior. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2009 I saw a Nutri-system commercial advertising the costs of the program vs. the average cost of groceries. Wow - just as I read this I looked up and the commercial came on. Weeeird.. I saw the Nutrisystem crap at Big lots for 50 cents a meal, and even at that price its a horrendous ripoff, I cant imagine how much they charge full price for that crap. Oh, on that note, I've also made a pledge to start drinking more of that V8 fusion stuff. Tomato juice, clamato, and other similar products have long disgusted me, but this Fusion is really good, and two servings of veggies a glass? That's key. Buy a juicer, even though fresh veggies are a tad bit more expensive, the end result is much better than the processed crap if you are drinking juice like that for your servings of vegetables. Oh, and as far as being thrifty..I work 6 days every 2 weeks. Those 6 days I get 3 meals for free (or basically all the food and drinks that I want within some reason). I have a ton of food in the house but since I dont have to cook very often I can usually go a long while without having to buy much food. Also, for the past year or so I dont eat out very much anymore. Its too expensive compared to what I can do with groceries at home or whatnot. I dont know how people can keep affording to eat out so much these days.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2009 I love Cashews. A few months ago they were only $6.99 for a large container.. now it's $9.99! Fuckin econonmy!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2009 I love Cashews. A few months ago they were only $6.99 for a large container.. now it's $9.99! Fuckin econonmy!! Cashew Butter > Peanut Butter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Angle-plex 0 Report post Posted January 21, 2009 Relally, though, a bag of 8 frozen chicken breasts is like 5.99. The bad stuff IS the expensive stuff, at least at the grocery store. I pay maybe 50 a week in groceries and I'm bulking up, but I spend it on the right foods. My roomate spends almost 100 every week because he needs to buy beer, two packages of oreos, doritos, ect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted January 21, 2009 100 a week is insane. I can usually get everything I need for a week at around 40 bucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edwin MacPhisto 0 Report post Posted January 21, 2009 I dont know how people can keep affording to eat out so much these days.. We have sweet jobs, and we managed to kick our coke habits. I spend too much because I buy lunch at work too often. My latest attempt to remedy that is to make highly awesome salads in the morning and haul them in with me. You can go pretty far with a 3-pound bag of apples, various canned fish, and a few bags of lettuce, nuts, and dry fruits. And making your own dressing is fun! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 21, 2009 I never quite understood why people buy salad dressing (ranch excepted because it takes a little bit of time and ingredients to make) when you can have a perfectly good vinaigrette using ingredients you should have at home to begin with anyways. I prefer mixed baby greens to lettuce, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edwin MacPhisto 0 Report post Posted January 21, 2009 I just start with a bit of oil and toss things I've got lying around in till I hit a good complementary taste. Last night I squeezed out about half a lemon, some dry mustard, some red pepper, and some fine-crushed pine nuts, and ended up with a robust little acidic number. Still, I can definitely see buying some of the more exotic dressings, as you might not be well-equipped to make, say, a walnut pomegranate vinaigrette on short notice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 21, 2009 I had a creamy garlic asiago dressing the other day. That's definitely not something that would really be all that cost-effective to make, in time or money. Same with any vinaigrette that has pomegranate, so I could see that being true as well. I just have my ol' honey-mustard vinaigrette standby to fall back on, which always comes out pretty decent. Yours sounds pretty good as well, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MFer 0 Report post Posted January 21, 2009 I never quite understood why people buy salad dressing (ranch excepted because it takes a little bit of time and ingredients to make) when you can have a perfectly good vinaigrette using ingredients you should have at home to begin with anyways. I prefer mixed baby greens to lettuce, though. Because we're a bunch of fat, lazy fucks, that's why. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted January 22, 2009 Digiorno Pizza commercial I just saw: "Delivery taste without the delivery price." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henry Spencer 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2009 They've been using that same ad campaign for years. I'm not sure the economy has anything to do with it. Maybe Kansas is just in a permanent state of peculiar depression. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BruiserKC 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Wal-Mart is running ads that I've seen comparing their pizzas to pizzas at places like Pizza Hut, Domino's, etc. They have pretty decent deals on their 'zas, $8 compared to $12-15. Don't forget also the 3conomics Wendy's spots as well pimping their 99 cent sandwiches, especially their radio ad where the guy saves money by buying Wendy's sandwiches for lunch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Digiorno Pizza commercial I just saw: "Delivery taste without the delivery price." I don't get that commercial; why is the rapper so aghast by this alleged pizza boy? Is there a more stereotypical pizza guy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2009 Also, what kind of a dipshit brings an 8-slice pizza to a party that was holding at least 20+ people? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2009 And why is the girl hitting on him at the end, instead of what I believe would be one of dozens of rappers she adores? I'd also like to offer a guarantee: "Rapper so aghast" has never been said or written anywhere in the world until yesterday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2009 Maybe Kansas is just in a permanent state of peculiar depression. We just need to evolve beyond that btw, you still live here? I figured you as one of those kids that would bolt from here as soon as you graduated from HS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
