PSA (and vent): Free Kids Halloween Pancakes today

[HappyMommy2]

We just went to IHOP for the free scary pancakes. (today only, kids under 12) The kids loved it!

I knew my hubby would want to eat their nasty food, and spend a bunch of money. But I convinced him to eat something first, and to go "out for coffee" with me. He reluctantly agreed.

When we got there, we decided on Cokes instead. FOR $2.50 EACH. Good grief. I never thought twice about that until our lifestyle drastically changed and required frugality!!!! I can buy a 12-pack for that at the grocery store!!!

[cristina47454]

That's funny. I remember last year I was traveling somewhere and had planned on bringing food with me for the ride. Well, in a mad dash out the door, I forgot my snacks. There were all sorts of delays and I HAD to eat SOMETHING. I ended up buying two hardboiled eggs and they cost over $2!! I remember being really POd about it. That was more than a dozen eggs at the grocery store! But it was the cheapest thing other than a candy bar. And dang, I was famished.

[mattemma04]

I hate paying crazy prices for foods,drinks,or snacks.I think I took the kids to BK or McD's for kids meals years ago and 3 kids meals came out to $12.I kept ranting about how much food I could have bought with $12.

[Cutie Patootie]

I know. It kills me when I am out and have to buy a bottle of water. $2.00/bottle! I could buy 2 gallons for that.

[zebra15]

What really irks me is when restaurants dont put the price of soda/drinks on the menu...and if my kid (ds 10) gets a kids meal DO NOT charge me for an adult soda when his kids meal get a free drink.... UGH...

This is why I just prefer to stay home... cheaper... and I'm so broke right now its not worth the arugement to get my $ back and I hate looking like a cheap@ss

[velochic]

We just got back from a trip abroad. We don't appreciate the cheap prices in the US NEARLY enough!! Coffee: cheapest we found was $6 cup. Soda: $3.50. Typical meal of just simple foods (not including drinks) came to $50/meal for 3 people. Gas was $8/gallon. Just the fact that there are free kid's meals is practically revolutionary. I'd be happy with that. It's all about perspective. It could be a lot worse. It is... elsewhere.

[Caneel]

Originally Posted by HappyMommy2

We just went to IHOP for the free scary pancakes. (today only, kids under 12) The kids loved it!

I knew my hubby would want to eat their nasty food, and spend a bunch of money. But I convinced him to eat something first, and to go "out for coffee" with me. He reluctantly agreed.

When we got there, we decided on Cokes instead. FOR $2.50 EACH. Good grief. I never thought twice about that until our lifestyle drastically changed and required frugality!!!! I can buy a 12-pack for that at the grocery store!!!

Yep, which is how IHOP makes money off the free pancakes. I think that barely veiled bait-n-switch using kids' treats is awful. IHOP knows that someone is going to add on an extra that has a huge mark-up/profit on it.

The way my DH spends money on conveniece stuff while out and about drives me a bit nuts. I cringe when I see half empty bottles of $1.50 water on the floor of his car. Seriously, I don't think he can visit the gas station without buying a pack of gum and a bottle of water.

[choli]

Originally Posted by Caneel

Yep, which is how IHOP makes money off the free pancakes. I think that barely veiled bait-n-switch using kids' treats is awful. IHOP knows that someone is going to add on an extra that has a huge mark-up/profit on it.

Well yes, of course they know that, IHOP is a business, not a charity. I don't think there is anything awful about that.

[ChetMC]

Originally Posted by velochic

We just got back from a trip abroad. We don't appreciate the cheap prices in the US NEARLY enough!! Coffee: cheapest we found was $6 cup. Soda: $3.50. Typical meal of just simple foods (not including drinks) came to $50/meal for 3 people. Gas was $8/gallon. Just the fact that there are free kid's meals is practically revolutionary. I'd be happy with that. It's all about perspective. It could be a lot worse. It is... elsewhere.

This is so true! The US is cheap. Americans shouldn't complain about the cost of anything.

Free kids meals are much more common in the US compared to Canada. And I'm not sure that I've ever seen free kids meals in Europe or the UK.

Free refills is a very American thing too. Some places have it in Canada, but not nearly as many as the US.

Beverages in restaurants on the continent are expensive and small! Every time we're in Europe we feel like such trashy North Americans, but crap, 200mls does not quench my thirst.

[Usually Curious]

Originally Posted by zebra15

What really irks me is when restaurants dont put the price of soda/drinks on the menu...and if my kid (ds 10) gets a kids meal DO NOT charge me for an adult soda when his kids meal get a free drink.... UGH...

This is why I just prefer to stay home... cheaper... and I'm so broke right now its not worth the arugement to get my $ back and I hate looking like a cheap@ss

Back when we visited restaurants we had a waitress pull that. She said, "He has an adult glass!" Really, who brought the adult glass?

I kid you not.

[Zach'smom]

You need to remember when eating in a restaurant you are not only paying for the food. There is the rent, utility bills, servers, cooks, hostess, manager, linens, trash removal, taxes, etc. etc. etc. plus they need to make a profit.
The reason places offer free kids meals is so and adult or 2 will come with them and pay for their drinks or food. It is a well known marketing technique.