Things are Tough All Over
This was the title of one of my favorite Cheech and Chong movies when I was a kid, and, well, the environment of that 1982 film is back. Prices are soaring. Most everyone I know is tightening their belt. And subscriptions are one of the first things to go.
That’s bad for a guy like me, who makes a living off paid subscriptions. I’ve seen an uptick in cancellations this spring, and in all but a few cases, “price” is their stated reason.
For some, it doesn’t matter that you get a free, signed cookbook with every paid, annual $60 subscription — even though that book is worth $35. It’s still sixty bucks out of your pocket.
So I've listened. Starting today, the basic paid subscription to To the Bone is $30 a year, Substack's minimum rate.
The book deal moves to the Founding Member level, which will now be $60. If you are an existing $60 subscriber, nothing changes, and you have the option to stay at that level when your renewal comes up, or go to the $30 a year level.
In addition, I am setting up a “tip the chef” button in case anyone wants to help a guy out — buy me a virtual coffee, Jameson’s, shotgun shells, whatever — that’ll be a one-off thing, so no recurring payments. You’ll see a button for that in my posts, and it’ll send you to Stripe.
I am doing this because, well, things are tough all over. AI continues to grind my livelihood into the dust, month after month. It has cut my income by nearly 50% in two years. It’s rough. To the Bone has been a rare bright spot, but I’m seeing losses here, too. It’s not just me. We’re all feeling the pinch.
Everyone at the $30 level will get all the perks of the $60 subscription level, except for the signed book. That’s access to the chat here on TTB, early access to all my hunting, fishing and foraging classes, periodic “Ask Me Anything” sessions, and paid subscriber-only recipes and technique posts.
I love our community here, and I want to keep at it. I can’t do it without you, and I am making it easier for you to help, if you want to. Thanks in advance for considering it.
~ Hank
I hear ya, Hank... and feel ya, too.
I found myself cutting off some of my Patreon subscriptions because, hey, that extra $10 here and there adds up.
On the business side, I'm in the opposite position just now. Rather than dropping my charter fees because I know people have less money to spend, I'm fighting tooth and nail to keep from having to raise them. Fuel prices are hammering me, though, and if the predicitions of another major jump next week are accurate, I'll have to go up just to keep the boat in the water. And, of course, raising my prices may cut back the client bookings. It's an ugly loop.
So I know it's a struggle just now to see light at the end of this tunnel, but it's there... somewhere.
It always is.
Things Are Tough All Over-“And now I will give you the hairpiece!”