[Chelsea]

I was looking over old bank statements to see how far we’ve come in our frugal journey. Our biggest challenge was eating out.

5 years ago my husband and I had very busy jobs and we often ate out. Probably every other day.

Fast forward to today and on average we eat out 2 times a week: 1 sit down restaurant dinner on weekends and 1 fast food back up meal(because life happens) during the week.

One particular month during the start of covid we spent ~$1000 on eating out ALONE.

We never paid attention to our budget back then and present day me is nauseous over the money we were wasting. No wonder we were broke!

Our entire grocery budget today is less than that(including dining out budget).

I am so proud of how far we’ve come from that moment in time.

[Lisa]

Any suggestions to pass along? I work long hours.

I find myself stopping almost daily at fast food.

[Christine]

I’d like to add to that: I feel so much better/healthier eating at home. I can control the ingredients. Now my body thanks me for eating at home.

Occasionally we have the opportunity or the impulse to eat out for whatever reason, and I’m like “no thanks”, I’d rather eat my healthy “homemade” food.

On top of the money that is saved!!!!!

[Gail]

I am thankful that I live rural because it’s way too expensive to have delivery and too far to keep food warm if I bring it home.

We budget $80 a month for eating in restaurants and that usually only includes 1 meal for 2 people (Canadian) not a high end meal

[Kim]

When I worked full time (before kids) we ate out so much! Probably minimum 3x a week.

Now with part time work and adult children we eat out maximum once a month.

It’s just too expensive.

[Karen]

We don’t eat out often either, but honestly we never have. But we have found that just drinking water instead of a beverage definitely keeps your bill down.

Yes, about once every couple of months we will treat ourself to a nice restaurant and splurge on a cocktail too.

[Christie]

It really makes me sick how much money I could have put to other good use instead of eating out for ALL those years.

Pre covid I went into the office daily and ordered lunch just about every day for 10+ years!

Oh well you live and learn!

Now I pack my lunch, cook dinners at home and eat out only 1-2 times per month.

[Sue]

Same here I was working 12/14 hours a day, my daughter had a busy life as well. We’re eating out for dinner probably five or six nights a week at an average of $80 of cost.

We did this for years looking back.

I’m nauseated all the money I could’ve had in my savings account. But hey it was fun while it lasted.

now no eating out …

[Callie]

If I do eat out, I usually split a plate of something with whoever goes with me and avoid ordering drinks.

Often gets us out of there for $15 or less.

[Walter]

I prepared my lunch & a snack at home at took it to work. Not only did I save a lot of money, I ate heathy and saved calories.

Restuarant food puts on the weight.

[Robin]

I know how you feel. We stopped all the meals out and go out very seldom.

It really makes a huge dent in the budget.

[Susan]

Most people would be shocked if they actually kept track of the money they are wasting each month on fast food, coffee, and c-store sodas.

[Tommy]

Before covid I was going out to dinner with friends once a week. I would spend about $50 each week.

All restaurants were closed for dine in service during covid and realized how much I spent.

I can easily afford going out to eat but I challenged myself to cut dinner out cold turkey.

It’s very easy and it’s been 16 months now since I been out to dinner.

[Johnson]

Dave Ramsey’s quotes:
You’ll feel like you got a raise
When you get on a budget

Stop spending like you’re in Congress
Many can be out of debt in 12 to 18 months
It’s empowering

[Author]

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