Why we never go out for drink$$$

[disneysteve]

Some of you have seen some of my bills for this type of thing on other threads. That should be enough to discourage anyone from going and having a "fun night out" at the club!

But really, in my opinion food is as bad as beverages. Salad is a prime example: Pay $13 for a salad at a restaurant that you can make for $3.00 at home. Breakfast/brunch is the worst, though... Pancakes and eggs are dirt cheap but many places charge outrageous prices for literally something you can make at home with little effort and cost.

Don't forget the tax and tip!

I agree to a point, but at least preparing food involves some work. There is also risk to the owner that he will buy more than he can serve before it spoils, so that needs to be priced into the food. No work is involved in serving a draft beer or opening a bottle and pouring it in a glass (if that). A mixed drink involves a bit of work, but if you ever watch a pro bartender, he'll mix most drinks in under a minute.

I totally agree about breakfast. We almost never go out for breakfast, even when we are on vacation. We get cereal, milk and juice and eat in our room.

[charley_alford]

The kids get a soda or lemonade, but those seem reasonable since they come with free refills. But we never drink alcohol at a restaurant; very expensive and completely unnecessary since my husband makes a mean martini at home.

[tan fish]

Alcohol costs at restaurants are indeed outrageous. What messed me up a few weeks ago was when my Dad and I went out for dinner at a Wipeout Restaurant and Bar in Marin County in the bay area. Thinking that this was more a "bar" then a restaurant, I ordered a soda water for my drink thinking it would be free or very cheap (sort of like in a bar where soda water is complimentary). Wrong! $2.50 just for a glass of fizzy water. Ugh.

[DebbieL]

DH and I don't drink (DH is an alcoholic - and I'm just kind of being supportive), but even back in my younger days I knew that if I wanted to drink it made more sense (financially) to do it at home (or a friend's place). Booze out is very expensive. When I went to the bars, I'd just go to hear the live bands. I'd very rarely have more than 1 or 2 beers over the night.

[Scanner]

You just aren't hitting hte right places, DisneySteve.

When I was lifeguarding in Wildwood, NJ, there was a bar you could hit every night of the week and get drunk for less than $20.00. $1.00 pitchers of beer on Monday nights at the Fairview, $1.00 draughts on Tuesday at Kelly's, and so on. . .stick with me, DisneySteve. . .you are just an amateur with no real drinking experience under your belt, that's all

[disneysteve]

You just aren't hitting hte right places, DisneySteve.

When I was lifeguarding in Wildwood, NJ, there was a bar you could hit every night of the week and get drunk for less than $20.00. $1.00 pitchers of beer on Monday nights at the Fairview, $1.00 draughts on Tuesday at Kelly's, and so on. . .stick with me, DisneySteve. . .you are just an amateur with no real drinking experience under your belt, that's all

Perhaps the problem is I don't drink beer. $1 pitchers or $1 draughts are of no appeal. I'd rather drink water. Now find me a place with $1, or even $3 or $5 mixed drinks and I'd be satisfied.

I do like the 24 hour happy hour at the Mountain Bar at Bally's in Atlantic City, especially Friday and Saturday nights when the Vixens are dancing on the bar (like in Coyote Ugly). I think that is $2 beers and $3 shots so you can easily get happy on under $20.

[DebbieL]

You don't like beer? Well, as a Canadian I can understand not liking your American beer, lol. Even the supposedly Canadian stuff you get down there isn't the same. That's one thing my uncle always had us bring down when we would visit him in the States. Me, I love a good beer, however I very seldom get to drink one anymore. I will only drink a beer if I know I won't be around DH. I'm sure DH wouldn't mind, but I just feel like it would be similar to having donuts in front of a dieter.

[disneysteve]

You don't like beer?

Nope. Can't stand the stuff. Never saw the appeal. I'm not a wine drinker either.

But give me a bottle of good vodka out of the freezer and I'm all set.

[Hector]

We went down the shore yesterday to spend time with friends who have a condo there. They took us to a nice deli for lunch. The food was very good. The servings were generous and the bill, including tax and tip, for the 6 of us was $52, very reasonable at less than $9/person.

Later in the day, our one friend said she was in the mood for a frozen margarita. They took us to a local restaurant located at the marina. Very pretty, open air, overlooking the water and boats. Each of the 4 adults got 1 alcoholic beverage. Each of the 2 kids got one non-alcoholic beverage. Between the 6 of us, we ordered 3 personal pizzas and 2 appetizers. Not a full meal by any means. The bill, including tax and tip, came to $130! The food was a bit pricey ($13.95 for the pizzas, though they were big) but the alcohol prices were insane. We could have made a full-course meal for 6 and had pitchers full of drinks and not spent anywhere near that much.

Just a reminder why my wife and I almost never order alcohol in a restaurant.

IMO there are some moments that its okay to blow money in drinks. Its good to be frugal, but I dont think there is anything wrong in blowing little money once in a while. I dont remember exactly but I think you advocate 50/30/20 ratio for need/want/savings or something. I am sure that being a doctor if you decides to be very frugal, you might able to survive on 50% of your income and rest 50% would be saved and you wont need to touch that money at least till you work, but I am sure that you are not doing that.

[disneysteve]

IMO there are some moments that its okay to blow money in drinks. Its good to be frugal, but I dont think there is anything wrong in blowing little money once in a while.

Absolutely. And we did have the drinks that day. It isn't something we do often. I'd rather mix a drink at home with dinner or after dinner when it costs a fraction of the price in a restaurant.

[GREENBACK]

I way overpay at the ballpark. 16oz. beers are $7.50 and I'll usually have two or three. Just can't watch a game without a beer and a hotdog. The food is completely overpriced too but they know people will pay for it and the beer. Glad I only go a couple times a year.

[DebbieL]

Just like I can't go to the movies without a big, buttery popcorn. I've tried, and sorry, it can't be done, lol.

[disneysteve]

Just like I can't go to the movies without a big, buttery popcorn. I've tried, and sorry, it can't be done, lol.

Isn't it funny how they managed to train the public that they MUST eat during the 90 minutes they are in the theater? It isn't like any of us are going to starve if we don't have JujyFruits or Milk Duds during that time.

I'm as guilty as everyone else but I refuse to pay the theater prices. We stop at the store on our way to the theater and buy boxes of candy for $.99 that are $4 at the theater. Sometimes, I don't even do that and just bring something that we happen to have at home.

[Hector]

After a couple of bad experiences we have learned to say no to a bottle/s of wine in an expensive Italian restaurant in group parties.

[Scanner]

You could do like my MD friend, DisneySteve - he didn't want to pay the prices for alcohol in a bar either so he snuck in his own.

He met the bouncer that night.