inflation | “We don’t go to restaurants anymore”

The Press went to meet people to learn about the consequences of inflation on their lives.

Stephanie Berube
The Press

Gabrielle, Samuel, Francis and Olivier

“We had done our homework and we had inquired”, say in chorus Gabrielle Bolduc and Samuel Giarrusso, who bought their first property a few months ago, in the midst of the madness of one-upmanship. Initially, they thought of buying a house in Laval, but the market led them to a condo instead. They also opted for a variable rate mortgage. So the economic news and the inflation rate, they know them. So Samuel limits himself to one economic news text per week so as not to worry too much or become cynical, which he admits nevertheless happened to him. At her side, Gabrielle is more positive: “It’s a wave and it will eventually break,” she says, conceding that certain good habits acquired by obligation will remain. Like paying close attention to what goes into the grocery cart, choosing businesses for price rather than customer experience, and cutting back on meat to become more and more veggie. “We don’t go to restaurants anymore, she says, but we visit friends at home and it’s also pleasant. »

Or in the park, because that’s where we met them on Tuesday, under a blazing sun, with their friends Francis Pinet and Olivier Bellerive-Désormeaux. The whole group works in the field of education. Francis keeps his budget in an Excel file. He thus knows where his expenses go: in his outings. Yes, he noted the rising prices in bars and restaurants. “For the moment, I have enough to support myself, he says, but not enough to save. »

Stephan Gallant

“I am very worried for my daughter, says Stéphan Gallant. It makes no sense, young people will never have access to property! »

This accounting clerk from Rosemont, father of a 17-year-old daughter, doesn’t beat around the bush: with inflation, he just can’t do it anymore. “The rents are made so expensive”, says the one who will have to undergo an increase soon. This will increase the share of his gross income devoted to housing beyond 50%, which is clearly too much to cover the rest of his expenses. Faced with this announced financial dead end, Stéphan Gallant decided to take action. He has just created a sharing group on Facebook which already has 154 members, “Sharing and support facing the increase in the grocery basket-Rosemont”. The goal: to exchange information on the best bargains, make group purchases and perhaps cook among members. “What is beautiful, he says, is that with this inflation, people are mobilizing more, finally! »

Manon Robert

“You have to tell yourself that it will pass,” says Manon Robert, when we discuss inflation with her. And indeed, this entrepreneur from Saint-Hyacinthe has seen others. “I opened here in 2008, so I know what I’m talking about. Here is Les Passions de Manon, a grocery store that specializes in high-end local and imported products. Precisely, the share of imported products has enabled Manon and her son Anthony, who is her business partner, to lower certain prices, thanks to the value of the euro to their advantage.

Result: no decrease in sales in an economic context where consumers are watching their wallets more closely. “Here, it’s a bit of a refuge,” says Manon Robert, looking around her business. And indeed, we do not feel the austerity in Manon. “People come here because they still need to have fun,” says the shopkeeper. They take their time, they stroll and it makes them feel good. »

Anouar Ramli

“My employees tell me that they are no longer coming,” says Anouar Ramli, in his business of new furniture and used appliances in Montreal. “They’re asking me for raises because their rents are going up and their groceries are more expensive. I have no choice if I want to keep them. And I know they don’t want to take advantage of the situation. They just want to survive. »

If Anouar Ramli concedes that inflation does not affect his personal life, in his professional life, it is everywhere. First, the increase in the price of gasoline changes the situation for its deliveries. Second, the shipping costs have skyrocketed the retail price of his new furniture, which is not a good thing. But delivery times in new appliances cause some people to turn to used products, which is better for their business. With this headache caused by inflation and the global socio-political climate (which is also hurting his business), Anouar wonders: “Are things going to go back to the way they were? I’m not sure I believe it anymore. »