How often do you eat out?

[Kitty]

I eat out all the time. It is becoming a bit of a problem for me.

I eat lunch out every single day. I probably eat dinner out 2 times a week.

I calculated how much this is costing me, and it is a fortune! Not to mention, whenever you eat out its usually not as healthy.

[gluegun]

I started tracking my finances last month. I was SHOCKED to discover how much I was blowing on eating out for lunch. $5-$10 a day really adds up!

In response to my discovery I have only eaten out once the entire month of October.

[NayUCLA]

omg! i eat out at least once everyday - sucks bc my bf wants to eat out and im usually with him. Then........... can u imagine how much we spend on STARBUCKS??? damn the world. I spend a fortune there!! and all i get is a latte or tea

[bigboom]

i pretty much buy my lunch and breakfast 4 times a week. so i try to avoid eating out all other times it also helps that im single and dont really need to go out and eat except for occasions like bdays and what not.

[shimmer728]

I always eat out on the weekends. I eat out maybe once or twice during the week. It used to be more, but it was getting too expensive.

[lynseymay]

I make such little money and spend so much on cost of living that I can't eat out that much. I bring my lunch to work every day except friday and eat breakfast at home. I do it to save what little money I do have and so I won't eat the food at the cafeteria, which from what I hear causes you to gain at least 20 pounds, NO THANKS!

[MOS9904]

I rarely eat out. I only get lunch out once a week (Fridays) as a treat and our group has decided the cap is $10....so we go to the chinese buffet, a greek place, a bagel place etc.

As for weekends, usually one meal out----the rest home cooked. STarting to make more home cooked to save more $$.

I also dont buy coffee out----I dont drink it and Starbucks is such a rip off!

[pash]

Ok, I'm going to play Phoenix's role here (according to the other thread), but I can't believe you named the thread what you did ;)

I tend to put off grocery shopping, so that last week, when I'm out of food, I'll get lunch and dinner out, but when I first go to the store, I always bring lunch to work and come home and cook dinner.

[Tayl405]

I eat out at least 3 times a week if not more...I buy a lot of bottled waters too, which adds up. I've tried to start eating at home more often since I'm trying to be much healthier, but eating out is so convenient! I started making my coffee at home in the morning and bringing it in a travel mug, and I saved a LOT of money.

[shimmer728]

I buy lots of bottled water, too. And I forgot I have a bad Starbucks habit. :(

[Phoenix]

Originally posted by pash
Ok, I'm going to play Phoenix's role here (according to the other thread), but I can't believe you named the thread what you did ;)

:eek: !!!

LOL@ya pash! Stonemonkey wasn't even on this thread for me to have to say anything... ;) He can be such a bad influence... :p

[kimmer23]

i usually eat dinner out twice a week. one time with a few friends and the other time with my husband. we try to cook the rest of the time or have sandwiches. sometimes i'll have carry out for lunch, but that is only about once a week if that.

[MOS9904]

Ive found getting a Brita or Pur water filter....and keeping a water bottle to fill saves on the $1 - $2 on each bottle that will be spent.

I went to the grocery last night.....bought a month worth of groceries....my total $58.

[kimmer23]

$58 for groceries? damn, we wind up spendling like $100 a week! we always need cleaning products, tp, tissues, cat food, litter and food and snacks for ourselves.

but i refill the water bottles too. that water in the bottle tastes no different!

[pisces2473]

I know, Kimmer! I went to two grocery stores to get the better deals and spent $35 at one and $45 at the other! That will be about 3 weeks of food! And I don't buy chips or junk that's expensive. All I bought was produce, ground turkey that was buy one, get one free, some frozen veggies, egg substitute, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.

[kimmer23]

yeah food at the grocery store is so expensive. some weeks are cheaper, but the weeks that we need tp, tissues and cat litter tend to be more $$. i like sandwiches on onion rolls (go ahead and laugh) and lunch meats and cheese are pretty costly too. lately we have been going to costco and buying frozen manicotti, chicken breasts and some other stuff. its cheaper and lasts a few meals too.

[pisces2473]

The other day I was at Costco and they had my cats' litter and food brands there for the first time in awhile so I stocked up. I get chicken breasts there and break down the pkgs into smaller amnts. I eat really healthy but it's so damn expensive!

[shimmer728]

See, I spend very little on groceries. I either go to the Mennonite grocery store, where everything is dented and smashed up but really cheap (we're talking like 40 cents per can of soup) or Sam's Club to get stuff in bulk. I just went to Sam's the other day and spent $35 on groceries, including a 32-pack of water for less than $5. I love that place.

[pisces2473]

What do you people eat? I spend a lot on food b/c everything I buy is "unrefined"--like meat, veggies, eggs, dairy, etc. I don't buy commercial crap like chips, cereal, cookies, etc.

I bought some dented cans the other day--I needed to make chili and they had Progresso kidney beans for like 60 cents a can!

[shimmer728]

I eat whatever I can easily heat up in the microwave. ;)

[hopeless]

I too heat food that can put in a microwave shimmer728. I eat out maybe twice a wk., depends on my work schedule. I can't help it absolutely Subway sandwhiches & Boston market. Those places I do take out since I get a lot of coupons from the circular.

[joneshen]

that water in the bottle tastes no different!

I buy bottled water because the tap water in my neighborhood tastes funny. My roommate made a similar remark, and so did a friend when she came to visit, so it's not just me.

I try not bring lunch and not buy something here because the food here is pricey. Even the food at the student food court is a ripoff, especially with DC's 10% tax on prepared food.

[kimmer23]

microwave dinners like lean cuisine and healthy choice can be expensive too!

[MetFanL]

I buy alot of fresh stuff. I've tried doing the Sam's Club thing, etc. but in the place I'm in now, we really don't have alot of storage space for bulk products. my roommate and I would have to buy an extra freezer or something and I haven't decided if that's worth it right now.

Our tap water is weird, too, so we use Brita for our water. It's all I drink, so we have two giant ones.

I would like to eat out a little more, but my friends can't really afford to do it too much and, truthfully, neither can I. Plus, why eat at a restaurant when I can just go to my parents for variety? ;)

[coll214]

Originally posted by pash
I tend to put off grocery shopping, so that last week, when I'm out of food, I'll get lunch and dinner out, but when I first go to the store, I always bring lunch to work and come home and cook dinner.
I'm the same way... i tend to be good for a few weeks after grocery shopping and then when i have nothing like this week, eat out for most of lunch and dinner instead of grocery shopping...

[heatherf]

Dang! We went grocery shopping last night and spent $105 and that was at the ghetto grocery store! You know, the bag your own, produce doesn't look as great....every ethnic food you can think of grocery store.

What seems to cost the most- chicken, cause I buy boneless/skinless, tv dinners I buy the Life Style kind, which are $3/each, cleaning supplies, good whole wheat bread, yogurt, milk and cereal.

We were naughty for a while there and were eating out a lot....that's why I made us go to the store.

[Veruca]

Originally posted by MOS9904
Ive found getting a Brita or Pur water filter....and keeping a water bottle to fill saves on the $1 - $2 on each bottle that will be spent.

I went to the grocery last night.....bought a month worth of groceries....my total $58.


How do you only spend $58 for groceries for a whole month?? It seems like every time I go to the grocery store I at least spend $80-100...and I use coupons and buy what's on sale.

[pisces2473]

Yeah me too...unless I have a crapload of stuff in the freezer already.

[MOS9904]

Here is what I bought last night that will last me a month (sadly I have the recept in my purse)

2 lbs baby carrots
16 waffles Stop $ Shop brand
1 pack of 4 large chicken theighs
1 pack (4) pre made burger patties
1 box pasta
1 lemon pepper tuna pack
1 canteloupe
1 box 10 packets oatmeal
1 lb turkey meat for sandwiches
1 liter apple cider
large liquid dishwashing liquid
1 box kleenex
1 loaf peperidge farm french toasting bread
sandwich bags
2 packets of specialty hot coco
1 family box low fat wheat thins
1 family box low fat triscuit

And yes, all that will last me the entire month cooking each night, and making my lunches each day.

[Veruca]

I would go through most of that in probably less than 2 weeks...A loaf of bread and a lb. of sandwich meat lasts you a whole month??
I don't see how that works making sandwiches and bringing you lunch every day.

[pisces2473]

That's not sad that you have the receipt in your purse. I went shopping Sunday night and finally took the receipt out last night. What's sad is that what you bought lasts you a month!? Unless you already have a ton of canned/dry goods and stuff in the freezer...:confused:

I can eat cantaloupe in 3 days. I eat like 3 apples a day. Met, I think you and I are similar eaters/grocery shoppers, lol.

I wish I had my receipt w/ me still. I would totally post what I bought.

[MOS9904]

I cut the canteloupe up into slices and take one with me each day at work. That is my breakfast along with 1 packet of oatmeal.
It usually lasts 2 weeks. Then I dont replace until my next shopping trip.
I take maybe 10-15 carrots each day to work for a snack in my lunch.
2 slices of bread, a little bit of mayo and 2 slices of turkey for lunch.
I also have granola bars to toss into my lunch as well.
Then I have a small bag of wheat thins or Triscuits.

The pack of chicken I got will last me a week of dinner. If its too little, I can cook a small side of pasta.
The burgers will last me 2 weeks since I only eat half a patty for dinner if I cook it.

so for example......last night for dinner
1/2 burger patty
1 burger roll w/ touch of mayo
glass of water
small cup of peas that were in freezer

lunch today:
2 slices wheat bread
2 slices turkey
1 granola bar
10 carrots
1 banana

For me its easy to shop because Im a tiny eater......

[pisces2473]

Your food must go bad very quickly.

You only eat HALF a burger patty and TWO slices of turkey? Girl, you need more protein!!!

[Veruca]

I would starve to death (and I'm really petite as it is)... MOS, I don't think you are eating enough.

[pisces2473]

I get hypoglycemic if I don't eat enough.

Here's what I ate today:

Breakfast--Zone bar and apple w/ coffee.

Lunch--chicken breast cut up in chunks w/ broccoli and peas, sauteed in olive oil and garlic (leftovers from last night) w/a Cottage Double

Snack--apple and cheese stick

I usually have a morning snack, but I drank so much green tea and water I was fine, lol.

Yesterday's food:

Preworkout (530)--Zone bar
Postworkout (630)--apple
Ride to work (730)--crustless mini quiches from the South Beach website
Snack (11)--cheese stick
Lunch (1)--salad of lettuce, green&red pepper, cukes, carrots with chickpeas and rasp.vin. dressing w/ Cottage Double
Around 230--10 peanut M&Ms (trick or treat sized bag) and a teeny Almond Joy
Snack (430)--apple and cheese stick
Dinner (7)--sauteed chicken, broccoli and peas w/ olive oil and garlic
Snack/Dessert (830)--frozen peaches w/ cool whip

[MOS9904]

I freeze what I dont eat.
And no my food doesnt go bad----if it was bad I couldnt eat it now could I?

If I needed more protein would I feel tired or groggy? Cause I never really am tired or yawning.

Im never starving or really hungry, and I could stand to lose about 10lbs.....so how am I not eating enough?

[Kitty]

I made this calculation recently, and it was so amazing to me..

I buy a low-fat pumpkin spice muffin every single day on my way to work. These low-fat pumpkin spice muffins cost 1.75. So, do you know how much I am spending on pumpkin-spice muffins a month..

*drum roll*

35 dollars!!!!!!!


but I have to say..they are very tasty!

[pisces2473]

Hey Kitty--it's cheaper/better than cigarrettes!!! LOL

[MetFanL]

I know, Kitty. I did that a while back when I wasn't bringing my lunch. It was ridiculous... especially since it takes me all of 2 minutes to make mine.

[Kitty]

Yes, smoking is not happy times.

But..I do have a diet soda addiction. I know I spend at least 3 bucks a day on sodas. However, I love diet sodas so much that it is worth it to me. They bring me joy, and they taste so good with salty food that it is a MUST in my life.

Viva diet soda!

[pash]

Dang! We went grocery shopping last night and spent $105 and that was at the ghetto grocery store!

I love that someone else calls one of the grocery stores in town the "ghetto" grocery store - I usually go to the regular one, but when I just have to get something quick, I know there will be no lines at the ghetto Stop & Shop.

[pisces2473]

Pash, do you ever go to Xpect Discounts? That's the ghetto grocery, to me. They have wicked cheap produce and dry goods, though.

[pash]

No, I've never heard of it - where is it?

[pisces2473]

There's one in East Haven, Milford, Derby, North Haven...not sure if there's others in CT. Also, I don't know whereabouts you live.

[joneshen]

microwave dinners like lean cuisine and healthy choice can be expensive too!

I buy then when they are on sale at the supermarket....or I'll buy them from the discount supermarket.

Seriously, that's what I live on because I am too lazy to cook :D

ETA: You're not the only one who uses the term "ghetto supermarket". ;)

[pisces2473]

We were talking about grocery bills...here's mine from Sunday:

A&P (asterisks designate store brand)
10 tubs of cool whip* = $10 (you had to buy 10 to get the deal, I gave some to my mom)
6 bags of frozen fruit* = around $13
1 onion = 71 cents
2 bags of Dole salad = $3
Box of Green tea* =$2.59
Box of 100 pkgs of Splenda = $4.29
1 Broccoli bunch = 99 cents
2 English cukes = $3
2 green pepper = $2.11
Powdered creamer* = $1.99
Instant coffee = $3.89
Cantaloupe = 99 cents
Face wash* = $1
Donation = $1
Total: $49.24 (after tax)

Stop & Shop
Tub of plain yogurt* = $1.79
3 Cottage Doubles = $4.17
2 pkgs Better N Egg (liquid egg stuff) = $3.98
2 pkgs frozen chopped spinach* = $1.34
2 pkgs frozen stir fry veggie mix* =$3
1 pkg frozen broccoli* = $1.99
2 pkgs Perdue ground turkey = $4.28 (buy 1 get 1 free)
Jar of marinated artichokes = $1.49
Can of Italian style stewed tomatoes* = 75 cents
Kitkat bar = 59 cents
2 bags baby carrots* = 1.99 (buy 1 get 1 free)
Tote bag of Macoun apples = $4.55
Hothouse tomatoes =84 cents
Red peppers = $2.29
Acorn squash = 61 cents
2 cans of dented kidney beans = $1.28
Can of dented tomato sauce* = 25 cents
Total: $35.23 (after tax)

Grand total: $84.47

A lot of things were on sale or buy 1 get 1 free and I do buy store brand when I can. I planned on making chili and the turkey was on sale and 3 out of the 4 canned things I use were in the "damaged" bin! What a bargain! I think this was cheap--sometimes when I go to the store, I'm lucky if it's just over $100!

[Ztamala]

I would love to eat out, but most of money goes towards gas.
I have to save every little penny, and my grocery bills averages about $80,mainly because I try to eat healthy,because I buy stuff from Whole foods.

[AnnaBanana]

I don't eat out very often... usually only head to a restaurant to celebreate a friend's/relative's birthday or when someone is visiting from out of town.