Save Cash: Eating In
October 17, 2011, By Kasie Baltes 2 comments
Everyone is trying to save an extra buck here and there, so when I went over my monthly budget, I found one of my most unnecessary expenses—eating out. I usually get a pinch of anxiety when examining my credit card statement every month. I expect it’s going to be high, especially after a few shopping trips, but one of the biggest surprises I find is how many times I see charges to restaurants. It really adds up, especially if you are eating out more than three times a week.
So as I'm heading into a new month and new billing cycle—I am going to give eating in more effort. A nice dinner out with drinks can be well over $20 a person, so eliminating this expense at least once a week can save some serious cash.
I enjoy eating out, not just for the good food, but also for the experience. Not having to lift a finger for the night is always a bonus, so get creative with how you eat in. Create a dinner party exchange with your close friends. Invite a few friends over next time you are cooking a meal, and host a dinner party. Sure this might mean for one night you're doing all the work, but you will have the favor returned, when a friend hosts the dinner party the next week. This way you are technically "eating out" but only paying for it once.
It's worth a try, and if it turns out that you're not saving much money, at least you will be spending more time with friends and family. If you just can't seem to break loose of your eating-out habits, take a look at savings websites like Restaurant.com. You can learn where to find the best deals and specials, as well as buy restaurant gift certificates for less than face value.
Comments (2):