Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyAt the start of the New Year, restaurant servers are enjoying a boost in their base salaries.
According to a manger at Tempe's Tilted Kilt restaurant, workers who once earned $2.90 per hour are now receiving $4.25 per hour.
Workers, however, told ABC15, they still depend on their tips.
"Sometimes people don't realize that we work off of our tips," said Quinne Horn, a server.
Horn told ABC15 she has noticed people leaving smaller amounts of gratuity with the down economy.
She said she enjoys her regular customers, but wants everyone to realize how significant tips are in a server's ability to make a living.
"People aren't spending as much," she said. "Our main source of income is our tips."
"It's just really hard, and there aren't as many people coming in," said Melissa Barros, another server.
Barros said she has noticed fewer people visiting the restaurant, and as a result, it is more difficult to bring in the same amount of income she has in previous years.
"It's hundreds of dollars different," she said.
"Now, it's like, I have this bill to pay, so I shouldn't get this shirt," she said of her shopping habits.
Barros said she also cut back on the types of gifts she bought for her friends and family during the holidays.
A Tilted Kilt manager told ABC15 she noticed a few people skipping out on their tabs in recent months. She said she has also witnessed a people racking up a really big bill and leaving a tiny tip in return.
The manager said the economy has also affected the business' hours.
Once open until 2 a.m. every day, the restaurant now closes at Midnight on many nights.
Though some people often advise people not to go out when they can't afford to pay their servers a tip, others suggest factoring in the tip ahead of time.
