How is 2024 treating you?

I hear you re sweetgreen, Chipotle is skimping on their meats too. Inflation's a bitch and a half and if Democrats lost the Presidential election I would bet it's probably the single biggest contributor (it's not even all Biden's fault, but he's the face that it'll be pinned to). Eating out at anything that's not a higher-end place doesn't feel worth it anymore. I walked by a BBQ food truck yesterday that was selling "half" (more like 1/3rd) a rack of ribs for $20. In the past I would've absolutely tried it but I can get a full rack from Trader Joe's for $18 and just spend the 15 minutes prepping vs waiting in line. Took my mother to lunch over the holidays at a very generic Asian chain restaurant and ended up paying almost $60 after tip. Food was ok and portions were good, but only worth it if it were half the price. It's very noticeable the difference of walking into the store to grab snacks and paying almost 2x what I would've paid just a couple of years ago.

Other than that would agree, pretty 50/50 on how the year's starting. Nothing to exciting, nothing too crushing. Not feeling pumped about anything for the year frankly unless I can get a side project I'm working on to actually catch momentum.

Gambling losses are already mounting...

Honestly it’s been wonderful, though I am concerned for the draw on economic openness that armed conflict is creating.

It's been aight brother. I feel you on that front, we strive to be optimistic but sometimes lift just throws all these little obstacles in the way. That said, I now have MASSIVELY more respect for people that have succeeded and earned their way to the top because you realize just how many things try can derail someone (personal issues, mental health, medical issues, family problems, career issues, etc). 

Let me put it this way, 2023 was a challenging year for me in many respects with a ton of volatility but directionally I've been moving up for sure. Too early to say for 2024 but I'm hoping to continue the same thing but with a faster trajectory upwards. As an adult, I've found very little happens at the timeline that we want BUT you can still make them happen (might take 1-2yrs longer to accomplish a career or personal goal but it's doable).

The inflation is a bummer because our comp is not rising to accomodate it. I've been recruiting and found the comp is pretty much where it was pre Covid for the roles I'm looking for. Which is crazy given cumulative 20% inflation since 2019...

Pretty shit. Although, 2023 for me started rough but this past Spring / Summer was a blast. Hopefully things will get better.

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