Two Writers Share What They Won’t Spend On in a Tight Economy
In a joint column, Carmen Macri and Ambar Ramirez list expenses they are cutting back on because of financial strain. They mention making coffee at home, skipping brunch and gym memberships, avoiding dating, and walking or biking instead of driving. They also note they still spend on Friday nights at Pete’s Bar and binge-watch shows as cheap entertainment.
The piece appears in Combined Minds as an entertainment/feature/opinion column dated September 23, 2026, credited to Carmen Macri and Ambar Ramirez. It presents a shared list of personal spending choices made under financial pressure, including preparing coffee at home, replacing restaurant brunch with home meals, and sometimes forgoing morning or midday meals.
The writers also mention dropping gym fees, choosing walking or biking to save gas, and avoiding dating. They note continued Friday spending at Pete’s Bar and inexpensive leisure such as home-cooked food and streaming series or films. The column frames these choices as balancing frugality with small pleasures.
This column could resonate with younger adults and budget-conscious readers who face similar tradeoffs. It may normalize cutting back on cafés, brunch, gyms, and dating while protecting small, affordable social rituals. Cafés, fitness businesses, and date-oriented venues may see less discretionary spending, while inexpensive entertainment and neighborhood bars could benefit. The piece may also shape cultural conversation about how financial strain reshapes food and leisure choices.