Budget for eating (in and out)

[baking23]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

Kinda along the same lines except I'm still looking for a full-time job so I live at home. I really try to make a point to take lunch to work and I do that well, however when friends come into town, or want to go out to eat, I always say yes.

Need to say no more often I think.

Your plan sounds good to me, let us know how it goes.

[baking23]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

I think I went too far frugal the other way. For awhile I wouldn't eat out, only got takeout or cheap fast food. After awhile I got sick of that. So now, I do like to eat out and savor a good meal including drinks as well. I got tired of just drinking water to save a few bucks.

My high school friend's are totally convinced that I'm drinking water just to save money, when it's really the one drink that I like. I'm not much for pop, milk, or alchol very often. I'll drink your water for ya.

[markio26]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

good comments... i drink a bottle of water at nite, i sit it on my bed side table... it just tastes better to me.. i buy the purified water... i drink milk, juice, coffee, soda during the day.. occasionally, i make a milkshake... everyone is so smart on this forum.....my budget is in an adjustment phase.. spouse is off work for 4 months this time.. we will be using vacation, bonus money for dec.. then, we will have to live off of savings.....great ideas from everyone... i love water with lemon, when i eat out.. it is a treat, actually.

[Ima saver]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

Although I do like mixed drinks with dinner (dh is designated driver),I too prefer drinkin water the rest of the time. I allot myself about $100 a week eating out, but it is our only form of entertainment, plus we have not been on a vacation in over 6 years!

[cschin4]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

If you like to eat out alot, there are many ways to do so for less. Don't buy drinks or dessert. Drink water, go for lunch instead of dinner, get a doggy bag and take home for another meal, etc. You don't have to stay home and eat Ramen noodles all the time.

[lrjohnson]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

This is an area that has been big on my radar too. When I went from being broke to stable, most of my expenses stayed very low but my spending on dining out (and gifts) went way, way up.

Here is what has been working for me, though it is a work in progress.

I am amazed at the variety of reasons I go out to eat or get take out. Celebrations (new job, etc.), dates for romance, craving for a particular food, socializing, lack of food (catches me at work!), laziness, comfort after a bad day/week are just some reasons.

If I want to go out to eat or get takeout, I think about why first. Some reasons are fine, for me, such as celebrations. Others are not, like laziness or comfort, because I’ve been able to determine that I don’t get much enjoyment out of those times.

If my desire to go out passes the above test, I keep the cost low without depriving myself. I figure why go out if I don’t enjoy it, but for me that can still be low cost. I’ve always preferred water, and I get a non water drink maybe a couple times a year. I never get dessert. I have been working at getting smaller meals; either “just” sides or appetizer only, so the portions aren’t so large (weight issues too). For example, I can get two really good baja style tacos at a sit down local place, and spend $4, $6 after tax and tip, and be full and enjoy it.

If I were in your shoes, I’d look at the times and reasons I went out, and instead of cutting across the board, cut out the ones that aren’t giving you great pleasure.

[sarah]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

I thinnk that figuring out when going out is goiing to give you pleasure and when it is not is a very good idea. I stayed home tonight and made blt's. I was going to order a pizza because making something seemed like to much work. I then thought about how much work it would be to get dressed and go pick it up (I've been home sick all weekend) and opted for the blts.

[cptacek]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

Yes, I agree about eating out for the right reason, and have tried that before....last year for Lent I gave up "eating out because I'm lazy." So, no more KFC on the way home from work, and I brought food for lunch. But, because I lived alone and was far away from my family, I needed to have some social contact! So, going out with my friends was ok, and as I have said before, we tended to go out for dinner and drinks. Now, I'm finding that I'm ok with staying home and cooking because 1. I don't have many friends here and 2. I don't live alone anymore.

[cptacek]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

Here are the totals for December...I'm not going to try to put it in a table anymore so we don't have to see the huge gaps...

Month = December
Restuarant = $194.91
Bar = $40
Groceries = $205.50
Liquor = $44.26
---------------
Total = $484.67

Well look at that. I spent more on Groceries than Restuarants. I think this is starting to work...although I wanted to drop even more compared to last month. Still more work to do.

[doodles44]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

I think that is a great improvement.

My advice is to budget yourself so you don't feel deprived. I LOVENEEDWANT coffee, so I've chosen to afford my addiction every morning by not eating out lunch at work. It evens out to be the same amount of money for me and it's definitely worth it.

Good luck!!

[pearlieq]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

If you want to improve it because you have some kind of goal in mind for the money or because you're concerned about your health, more power to you, but I wouldn't worry about it just because you think you "shouldn't" spend that much on eating out. It sounds like your financial ducks are in a row, so if you if want to spend money on eating out, why not?

Good luck to you! I hope you can find a happy medium.

[cptacek]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

Here are the totals for January...One thing in the "Groceries" category, I bought half a hog, so I have a lot a lot a lot of pork in the freezer...that counted for $150 of that category.

Month = January
Restuarant = $200.60
Bar = $0
Groceries = $530.32 (-150 = $380.32)
Liquor = $32.21
---------------
Total = $763.13

As another poster has said, I too have PCOS, so I started a low carb, higher protein diet Jan 1. That means I have to eat more meat and vegetables, less pasta and sugar, which is more expensive, but better for me. So, even though January was more than the last few months, I think I am still doing better than before.

[ozzy gurl]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

You have PCOS and you still indulge in alcohol?

That was one of the first things they told me to cut out.

[cptacek]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

My doctor didn't tell me that. But, since I moved, I have really cut down...if you compare my "bar" and "liquor" spending now vs. last year, it is significantly lower.

That's what is so discouraging about PCOS...lots of doctors don't know much about it, nor how to treat it. The last one I went to couldn't even diagnose it after 3 years of going to him.

[pearlieq]

Re: Budget for eating (in and out)

That's what is so discouraging about PCOS...lots of doctors don't know much about it, nor how to treat it. The last one I went to couldn't even diagnose it after 3 years of going to him.

I hear ya! I've got it too, but luckily I they were able to catch mine when I was 15.

I've never been told to avoid alcohol directly because of the PCOS either. I can't see how it would make any special difference. A carb is a carb, you know?

I do currently take Glucophage (metformin) to help control the PCOS and you can't mix alcohol with that medicine. Luckily I never was much of a drinker.

I will say that the glucophage, reducing refined carbs, and exercising make a world of difference for me!