What my $30 hamburger reveals about fees and how companies use them to jack up prices

Photo caption: Hidden fees or “junk fees” are on the rise, as companies work to bring in more money while keeping prices looking low. U.S. consumers pay more than $65 billion in fees each year. Photo credit: Scott Olson / Getty Images. Article by Stacey Vanek Smith. NPR – July 27, 2023.

It started out innocently enough: lazy Monday, working late, nothing in the fridge. I decided to splurge and order a burger and fries for delivery. Subtotal for my meal? $14.07. A little pricey, but it’s a good burger and $14 seemed like a totally acceptable price for dinner, especially when it’s delivered to my door. Then came the fees […]

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