Perhaps at no other time of the year is it clearer that elective self-denial is just another privilege of affluence. If you indulged in December without abatement, then you are likely to approach January with the intent to say no - to cheese

When the economy is good, wages go up. Falling inflation and fatter paychecks are giving boost to American workers and their families. The increase in real or inflation-adjusted wages climbed to a yearly rate of 1.7% in January