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Housing and student-loan costs are rising, as are those of restaurant meals and groceries.

With free meals, accommodation and no bills to pay, it sticks in the throats of some.

In alarming numbers, people are skipping meals to save money, paying bills with credit cards and tapping into savings.

Cooking requires "nafas", or soul, Orfali explained, using the Arabic term that describes a cook's personal flair for food and their ability to conjure up exceptional meals.

They make phone calls, pay for advertising and even hold events where participants get a free meal in exchange for listening to the sales pitch for that plan.