When did $5 become the new $20?

It's a simple question and one that's been sitting with me for weeks now. I remember a time... I won't go all totally old school on you like my Dad use to tell me when he went to the movies growing up and could see three feature films and 15 cartoons on a Saturday for a dime... but I DO remember a time when I could leave my house with only $5 bucks in my pocket and do things for a day and actually come back with some change! You simply can't escape inflation, I understand that, but when $5 dollars just doesn't last past a Starbucks to start your day, then you know we're all in trouble!

Now first, in the interest of full disclosure, I am one of those people who rarely carry any cash on me, I still try to put myself on a budget for a day before I head out the door, but I get kicked in the teeth right away no matter how good I'm trying to be.

I don't spend money on Starbucks or any local coffee, I make my own during the week. And I try not to eat lunch out too often and if I do, I really do buy cheap! But it's the darn weekend when I head to a mobile office, try to get some work done. Get a nice coffee and maybe a danish and boom, $5 has magically turned into $20... if I'm lucky... by the time the day is done.

I don't know if there is a remedy for this, but just something that's been rattling around in my head. Oh and in case you're wondering... just because $5 is the new $20, doesn't mean I have any more to go around... I'm still among the working poor!