One Big Cycle.

As you can see, everything in the economy has an effect on everything. As you read through the previous posts you can see that one thing led to another which led to another. You may not think that when you grab a burger or go out to dinner that you're doing anything harmful, but really it is. The biggest harm is your health and your wallet. Fast food and restaurants make their food taste good by adding fatty, sugary substances. This also makes you want to come back, spending way more money on food than necessary. The way Americans spend their money and don't spend affect our economy greatly. So next time you're thinking about going out to eat, consider a home cooked meal.

http://www.helpguide.org/life/fast_food_nutrition.htm

Food Industry Provides Jobs.

A positive of the fast food industry is that it provides jobs to millions. Allowing unskilled workers to work behind the counter at minimum wage is what most fast food restaurants offer. It's great that more people have jobs, but the low paying salaries allows no room for advancement in the economy. Roughly 3.5 million people are employed in the fast food industry. That's a lot of people. With the high numbers of people making minimum wage, no wonder no one can afford anything anymore. People work to make money, but what if they're not making enough in order to live without getting help from the government. Maybe it's time to increase minimum wage again? Once again, everything is just one big cycle.

http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/schlosser-fast.html

Taxes Increase Because of Medicaid.

Because the government is providing health insurance for all people that can not afford it they have to tax the people in order to provide medicaid. Although this program is helping many people, it may be causing more problems. Because of the tax increase, things are more expensive, yet people still don't have a lot of money. This may be another factor to why people are going into debt and can't afford health insurance on their own. It's all one big cycle. One thing affects another. So if everyone budgeted their money more wisely, the good things would start to affect the bad things.

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/kfiles/b34039.html

Government Provides Medicaid.

Our government has decided to provide medical insurance for families not able to afford the proper insurance needed. A lot of the reason we need health insurance is because they help us pay for the high medical bills as our health decreases. If people were able to stay healthy, health insurance wouldn't be in such a high that it is now. It's great that the government provides this to people in our society, but if families budgeted their money better they might be able to afford their own insurance. Not eating out, staying healthy and reducing health related problems that are costly are all ways to save money. By providing medicaid to more and more people increases taxes across America, this greatly affects many.

http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/

Being Overweight is Expensive.

As we know, our economy is struggling and many people in our society are in debt. There are many factors that go into people's money problems, but one's health is a big one. The more we spend on food, and eating out, the less money we have have to pay for important things, such as house and car payments. According to the USDA, “overweight or obese people are more likely than those at normal weight to have medical problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.” The total annual cost of obesity was an estimated $117 billion in 2000. Because obesity causes so many health problems people struggle to pay for the constant medical bills required to keep them alive.

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/10/18/the-high-cost-of-being-fat/

Eating Out is Unhealthy.

Obviously, we all know that eating out is more unhealthy than eating at home. Then why do so many continue to do it? Because it tastes good! Restaurants are there to make money, so they load their food with butter, oil, lard, and cream to make it taste better. Families and children remember the good food and return, night after night. Eating habits like this are terrible examples for children to grow up around. Eating out should be a treat, not a regular occurance. The fatty foods that so many Americans consume daily cause obesity, diabetes, and so many other things that are detrimental to our health.

http://www.mindfuleats.com/mindfuleats/2009/03/eating-out-makes-you-fat-and-unhealthy.html

Eating Out Takes Away From Family Time.

Even though families are going out together, it is in a different environment than at home. Sitting around the family kitchen table allows time for bonding and talking. Two important things in every relationship. Kids that are deprived of this miss a vital part of being in a family. Time around the table allows for a family to share about their day, upcoming schedules, and for parents to know more about their kids. A recent study says that teens that have at least five family meals a week have shown to have better grades. It is also found that teens having family dinners were 42 percent less likely to drink alcohol, 59 percent less likely to smoke cigarettes, and 66 percent less likely to try marijuana. There are many positive effects to eating at home around a table with your family, so try it!

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Health/story?id=1123055&page=1

Going Out = More Gas.

In order to go out to dinner, majority of people will drive their car to get there. One night may not seem like a big deal, but if it is a daily reoccurance, the amount of gas used adds up. The average family spent about $5,477 last year just in gas money and other auto expenses. Imagine how much that number could be reduced if families stayed in for almost every meal. Many families have more than one child, and often will drive to different restaurants to please everyone. This creates a spoiled child and is simply just a hassle. So to add more discipline and save on gas, make a home cooked meal that everyone agrees on and likes.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/what-we-spend-on-cars.aspx

Going Out Is Expensive.

Most American familes enjoy going out to dinner, but don't realize the impact it may be having on their family and their wallets. In 1998 the average American family spent approximately $2,030 on eating out, this increased by 22% since 1993. Although food may be more tasty outside of one's home, it can be much more expensive than cooking at home. Parents that have been working all day often find it easier to just go out for dinner and have someone else make the food. This makes sense, and is alright, every now and then. Too many people go out every single night. Not only does it cost more, it is much more unhealthy. So next time you're thinking about going out, try to whip up something at home, you'll like the saved money and the smaller wasteline.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1318/is_10_54/ai_65368848/

The Cyclical Effect of Fast Food in America

Everytime people eat fast food they don't understand the impact they are really making. On any given day in the United States about one-quarter of the adult population visits a fast food restaurant. Going to fast food restaurants has now become routine to many in America. Fast food has helped to transform not only the American diet, but also our landscape, economy, workforce, and popular culture. Fast food and its consequences have become inescapable. Everything we do has an effect on our economy, but fast food is one of the biggest factors.

http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/schlosser-fast.html