Unprepared food like fruits, vegetables, meat, etc. is tax free in most states. Prepared food is usually taxed. Tipping is only expected at a sit-down restaurant, and those are generally expensive enough that if you are genuinely starving you should probably be allocating the money spent on that one meal on several cheaper meals.
Credit cards vs. debit cards typically have no difference in fees for the end consumer; the one notable exception in suburban NY being gas stations.
> Credit cards vs. debit cards typically have no difference in fees for the end consumer; the one notable exception in suburban NY being gas stations.
Thanks for clearing that up; I'd wondered if that was the case.
> Tipping is only expected at a sit-down restaurant
It's interesting; that's what I was led to believe. However, even takeaway/fast food places have tip jars at the front, and I feel pretty rude not biffing a dollar or so in. Which is probably a perception thing; I'm in a position that I can do so freely, and I'm more than willing to accept that those who aren't may be less obliged.
It depends on where you are in the country. For example, I grew up in Illinois outside Chicago. I had never seen a tip jar at a freaking subway until I moved to California. I don't tip for that kind of service and I don't feel bad about it on the slightest.
Credit cards vs. debit cards typically have no difference in fees for the end consumer; the one notable exception in suburban NY being gas stations.