And many French diners have recently had neither the money nor the inclination to splurge on fancy meals.

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As for fancy meals, there is always takeout: "They can go and buy chicken salad from a deli, " she says.

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He could have spent that money on big houses, fancy meals, big boats, and other things that would have created jobs in this country.

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But she doesn't cook any fancy meals nor do her friends.

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Rather than rely on government handouts or charity, Aravind's founders use a tiered pricing structure that charges wealthier patients more (for example, for fancy meals or air-conditioned rooms), letting the firm cross-subsidise free care for the poorest.

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Collusion, whether or not oiled by fancy meals and wads of cash, between bank inspectors and the banks they supposedly supervise has been a big reason why the rot in Japan's financial system has continued to spread since it first became apparent in the early 1990s.

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Those brainy engineers might want haircuts, tax preparation help, fancy restaurant meals, day care, massages, kitchen renovations, and so forth.

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They have quirk, history, and simplicity, and provide comfort while letting you use more of your budget for meals or spa treatments or whatever you fancy.

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