Too expensive to eat out anymore?

[mailorderannie]

n vizion--RIGHT ON! I agree exactly. Ima Saver - eat out every night?? What are you doing frequenting what is basically a money saving, advising site such as this while eating out excessively, which most of us watching our $$ could not even think about doing--nor would we want to, because of the money spent that could go so much further on grocery costs.
Just my 2-cents worth...

[Ronin]

I wish the system was more like Japan... you always get great service and there are NO TIPS!

[Aleta]

I've noticed now that if you order food out, that there is a tip jar in front. I don't get that because you're not seated at a table, given water, plates, silverware and the like placed down for you to eat in an airconditioned venue.

I do the same as another poster earlier that said the look at how much they have spent eating out and then calculate how much food they could have bought with the same money spent at the restaurant, (not to mention the tip).

Maybe, we should all place tip jars in our kitchen for our families to contribute to. Hee Hee! Would be one way to add to your challenge money.

[pearlieq]

Ima Saver - eat out every night?? What are you doing frequenting what is basically a money saving, advising site such as this while eating out excessively, which most of us watching our $$ could not even think about doing--nor would we want to, because of the money spent that could go so much further on grocery costs.
Just my 2-cents worth...

One of the best things about this community is that we discuss financial issues and support each other in our financial goals, but we refrain from judging each other's choices.

You're welcome to ask someone a question. If you would like to ask "Hey Ima, how do you manage to afford eating out every night?" that would be fine. We can all learn from each other, and Ima, if she chooses, can tell you about her situation and budget choices.

But it's not your place to question anyone's choices unless they specifically ask for advice or opinions, nor is it your place to judge what "excessively" means in anyone's life but your own.

[txex86]

One of the "frivolities" in our budget is a great meal out for just hubby and me once a month. It can be expensive to eat out, but we all make money choices--some gamble for fun, some have hobbies, etc. that use up cash. It's all about choices and living within your budget.

[disneysteve]

What are you doing frequenting what is basically a money saving, advising site such as this while eating out excessively

Your idea of excessive and mine, or Ima's or anyone else's may be very different. We all have different priorities in life. We all have different incomes, different goals, different situations. Some of us here are in their 20s and just starting out. Others are in their 40s and well-established and still others are in their 60s and enjoying the fruits of their many years of labor.

Read more posts and you'll see what prioritites different folks have. For us, it is travel. We are currently on day 1 of a 14 trip to New Hampshire. We also have an extensive collection of Disney memorabiliia. What we spend on those 2 things would certainly be considered "excessive" by many people. But at the same time, we are debt-free except our mortgage and save over 20% of our gross income, so it isn't excessive to us.

One thing that becomes very clear as you read posts here, is that you can splurge on things that really matter to you if you are frugal in other areas that aren't so important.

[Aleta]

I think that the main idea is that after you are out of debt; it gives you more choices about how you want to spend your money as Disney Steve has said so so many times before. Once you are out of debt, you can choose what is most important to you.

Ima has paid the price to eat out every night if she chooses. Before, most of us were paying interest on items that we didn't understand what we were doing at the time. Once you are out of debt, your priorities can change. It is different for each of us. It's always a choice once you are out of debt.

[Bluezy]

If my little boy and I eat out, I use my WAMU Visa with the rebate to pay for the meal plus tip. Better than no rebate at all.

[mailorderannie]

One of the best things about this community is that we discuss financial issues and support each other in our financial goals, but we refrain from judging each other's choices.

You're welcome to ask someone a question. If you would like to ask "Hey Ima, how do you manage to afford eating out every night?" that would be fine. We can all learn from each other, and Ima, if she chooses, can tell you about her situation and budget choices.

But it's not your place to question anyone's choices unless they specifically ask for advice or opinions, nor is it your place to judge what "excessively" means in anyone's life but your own.

I apologize Ima Saver. No harm intended. I'm having to watch every $ now in order to dig out. I'm sure things will look different on the other side. Actually, I love to eat out and consider it a very special event and occasion. At my stage of the game, I should be doing some of the things I enjoy instead of having to count pennies--but, hey--Life is Good!

[tabbycat31]

I understand that. What I was asking is why should I be expected to tip more for a $30 meal than for a $15 meal. If the tip is supposed to reflect a gratuity for the service provided, I don't get any more or better service if I order a more costly entree.

I wish they would just raise the food prices, pay the servers fairly and do away with tipping. There are plenty of other service jobs that don't depend on tips to make a living, nor should they.

I'd pay more for food if it meant not worrying about tips. Plus the servers have to pay out a portion of their tips to the busboy, bartender, hostess, etc. So if you tip your server $5, they won't keep all $5.

What drives me batty is the tip jars that delis, Dunkin Donuts (yelled at me for not leaving my spare change there once), Starbucks, etc have. I can understand tipping a waitress. Their job is a lot harder than putting cream cheese on a bagel.

[disneysteve]

What drives me batty is the tip jars that delis, Dunkin Donuts (yelled at me for not leaving my spare change there once), Starbucks, etc have. I can understand tipping a waitress. Their job is a lot harder than putting cream cheese on a bagel.

People shouldn't expect a tip for doing the job they were hired to do. That's what bugs me about tips in general, and especially at counter service places.

[willowstudios]

Watch out for a trick servers pull - on your bill they place the tip onto the bill itself. That means you are being TAXED on your TIP! You should not be taxed on a voluntary tip - THEY are suppose to claim it and pay taxes.

If you actually look at your final bill you can check to see if they added the tip into the bill. I'll bet you it happens 5 out of 10 times...that's cash out of your pocket!

Talk about being taken advantage of...it's bad to screw someone that just gave you voluntary cash.

[DebbieL]

When I worked as a server, we got to keep all our tips. Only some places pool their tips.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

willowstudios, I always look at my bill and I have never seen the tip added onto it.

I agree with Joan, never seen that happen before. What I have seen though is tax applied to the cost of the meal before the coupon was applied. So I get taxed on a $20 meal that cost me only $10 after coupon.