Comments on: JLP’s QotD – How Many Time do You Eat Out Each Month?

By: Brad

Brad — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 23:00:42 +0000

I’m not much of a beer drinker anyway, and when dining out – often it is business related with the intent on cultivating more business, so it is a business expense.

On the other hand, for family outings it is infrequent enough that it doesn’t amount to very much monthly maybe $30 – $50 total. April is a costly month as there are many birthday meals to pay for, but for an average year. We generally always have water, as drinks are way to expensive to justify ordering them.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 21:42:55 +0000

I don’t know how you can live your whole life spending $20 a month eating out. I suggest you learn to live a little. Going out is fun for the kids, too, and they’re entitled to a little fun.

By: mapgirl

mapgirl — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 20:29:07 +0000

Quicken is telling me about $300 a month on average (this includes lunch nearly everyday during the workweek, i.e. few groceries). However, in April I spent about $135. I think I probably forgot to log some stuff, but I was also not dining out for a whole week while I was tending to family in the hospital. If I could stay under $300 a month, that would be great. I’d like to do that and start buying more groceries again too.

By: sam

sam — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 20:23:35 +0000

I don’t really budget for eating out. But my ATM withdrawals average about $400/month and most of that ends up being spent on eat out or take out food (including while on business travel). If you can avoid the alcohol at restaurants you will save big time. For instance, My wife and I had lunch at the Olive Garden a few days ago. I had soup,salad and breadsticks for about $5.95. My wife wanted a glass of Pinot Grigio, but when she saw the $5.25 price, settled for a soda instead. I read somewhere (this blog?) that restaurant chains don’t put prices on their specialty drink menu because the drinks cost so much and the restuarant doesn’t want you to know the price until the bill comes. I have found that to be true at several places.

By: Ricemutt

Ricemutt — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 20:19:52 +0000

Just checked, last month was $168 (for two of us). $98 of that was lunch at the corporate cafeteria. Guess it’s time to start considering bringing lunch!

By: » Weekly PF Blogarific Roundup on Blueprint for Financial Prosperity

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 19:12:29 +0000

[...] JLP’s question of the day is “How Many Times Do You Eat Out Each Month?“ [...]

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 18:42:46 +0000

We are a family of five (children are 5,4, and 3)and our budget is $50 a month. What we do to supplement is if we can spend less on groceries that month, we can spend a little more on eating out.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 17:44:10 +0000

From 1/1-5/31 we spent around $1,820 or $364 per month. This includes all fast food, pizzas brought home (cheaper to drink our own beer!), “free will offerings” at church for Sunday’s donuts, breakfasts out w/mom & sis, and obviously, lunches and dinners out. I also include the kids’ hot lunches/milk fees in this category. Last year our expense was much higher, but we identified this as the worst unfavorable variance in our budget/spending plan and have buckled down. I still hate that it’s over $300, but groceries (and utilities!) would be higher to some extent if we didn’t eat out, so for us, it’s worth it. Plus, I don’t blow money on manicures, pedicures, and all that nonsense, so I feel no guilt when sharing meals with my family of 5. But boy, does it add up! Ah, the beauty of Microsoft Money…

By: Dana

Dana — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 16:34:34 +0000

Our only time for eating out is taking the kids to McDonald’s once per week. Last month we spent $28.12 for the entire month on eating out.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 16:30:39 +0000

I have you beat for ‘paltry’ JLP. My wife and I (and our two-year old and 3-week old sons) have a budget of $20 per month for eating out