I never thought I’d say it, but the time has finally come: Mister Softee and I have to part.

It’s not for health reasons, although it probably should be. It’s more from the sticker shock of paying $2.50 this week for a small vanilla cone with chocolate sprinkles - a full 25% price jump since the last time I got my fix.

I know, I know. That’s a pittance compared to the escalation in both price and portion size brought on by the likes of Ben & Jerry’s, now owned by Unilever (UL), Cold Stone Creamery and Baskin-Robbins. Even Carvel and Dairy Queen have gone over the top.

Know how hard it is to find a cone for less than $3 these days (I usually get the kiddie size)? Taking the team out for ice cream approaches a triple-digit investment!

I’ve never been the kind of ice cream junkie who buys a pint of Haagen-Dazs and eats it all in one sitting. But I do know that having ice cream in the house means I eat more of it. So for me it’s always been better to buy from the street, even if it costs more in the long run.

Still, despite my deep connection to Mister Softee and his song, everyone has a limit. And for me, $2.50 was it.

I’m not dropping the habit altogether. But these days, I’ll be getting my mid-afternoon fix filled at the unlikeliest of places: McDonald’s (MCD). Vanilla cone, not too big -- but big enough to satisfy -- all for $1.18. Tax included.

I can live without the sprinkles.

Have you stopped eating ice cream or other food favorites as prices have climbed? Weigh in on The Exchange.