How much do you eat out?

[RN01]

I need motivation to not eat out so much. We go out as a family on Sunday after church and on Wednesdays my hubby and I go somewhere by ourselves to eat. Also on Thursdays I go to lunch with my mom. I really don't want to give any of these up but sometimes I even grab something out at other times too. This is way too much. I meal plan every week and this doesn't even seem to help. Just wondering how much everyone else eats out.

 

[Mickey1Fan]

Once or twice a month. I just don't see the point when I can eat at home and take lunch for much less money.

 

[sksjasams]

I didn't vote, but would have said "other". We order pizza or pick up subs to eat at home a couple times a month. We only eat out a couple times a year.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

We take out all the time, I'm hot and pregnant, and I just can't cook right now. I can't wait to get back to normal.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

With our crazy work schedules, we do fast food once a week and one sit-down restaurant on Fridays.

 

[SaraJayne]

We eat out at least once a week, more in the summer when the kids are home and we're out running errands.

So right now, we eat out on average 3 times a week.

 

[JamesMom]

We are trying to seriously cut down on our eating out - not just for our budget, but for our health of our family of 4 (me, DS, DS7, DS5). We used to eat another 1-2 dinners out every week, plus some lunches - but we trimmed down.

Since we started our 'eat dinner at home' routine we still eat out about 3 -4 times a week
- Sat am - McDonalds. A tradition for us Hubby picks up and brings home by the time the rest of us wake up. Cost around $10.
- Sat pm - Date night. DH & I watch a movie at home and eat a take out dinner after the kids go to bed. Saves on babysitters, movie tickets & tip on restuarants. Open a bottle of wine or magaritas and eat take out Chili's, On the Border or Saltgrass Steakhouse. Chinese runs $20 while Steaks are about $60 - so average about $30. Maybe 4-5 times a year we actually eat in a resturant.
- Sun am - donuts. Again around $6 (really don't count this as 'eating out')
- Sun pm. Not every weekend, but usually order 2 large pizzas and have left overs on Tues. $20 for 2 meals.
- maybe a Fast Food meal during the week - $15-$20 depending on how many.

So we eat out about $60-80 worth a week now. It used to be $120-130 a week So we are saving money. Just can't let it go entirely - I'm not that good of a cook, lol.

 

[pjb0216]

We are eating out way to much. With all the stuff the kids are doing, it just seems easier. But, I know we have to do better and I am determined that come August 1st, we are going to stop all this eating out.

 

[indimom]

About 6-8X a month, usually on the weekends, and mostly fast food. We have a sit down meal once a month or so.

 

[mster425]

We just went from eating out 4-5 times a week to eating out 2-3 times/month!

I feel better health-wise, we've saved $, and it feels much more... responsible!

I starting buying more fresh fruit and veggies every few days and buy eggs, fish, steak, chicken, and turkey burger meat in bulk so we always have something to eat and something healthy to snack on.

You can do it! it feels so good to break the cycle! (granted, it's been 6 weeks, so I could still be on a pink cloud and regret it later!)

 

[averysmom]

We go for Saturday lunch every week - it is our family tradition. Sometimes it is just hotdogs and fries at Costco, but lately it is a local vietnamese restaurant. Mmmmm, pho....

We also order in pizza about once a month.

 

[sharonmickey]

We only eat out once or twice a month.

 

[Kellydelly]

We don't eat out, per se, but I do have hubby get carryout 3-4 times a week since I started working fulltime as a nurse (4-5 nights a week). I am just too tired and braindead to grocery shop and cook right now. Hopefully I can get my schedule adjusted soon so I am only working 3 twelve hour shifts and I have more time to be normal with my family instead of being zombie mom/wife!

 

[2Tiggies]

I said never. Once I month (tonight ) I get DD and I something out of Subway so I don't have to stretch my brain for another meal idea. Aside from that, we probably dine out twice a year, if that. Then when we go to Disney we do several nice TS there. I would rather go without during the year and really enjoy my vacation treats. I really don't miss it. It has just become part of my lifestyle now.

 

[missenmickey]

We eat out as a family about once a month - and this is usually our local Coney Island. I can not justify spending money on eating out when we can make something at home a lot cheaper.

 

[apnep]

You need a category for 1-2X a month. We don't eat out very much. We are a family of five and DH and I just find that it costs too much and just isn't worth it. I can fix us all a steak dinner with all the sides and trimmings for less than half of what it would cost us to eat out.

Ang

 

[apnep]

We take out all the time, I'm hot and pregnant, and I just can't cook right now. I can't wait to get back to normal.

I had a summer pregnancy and we used to eat alot of cereal!

 

[thebeesknees]

Once a month or less. I know it's not very good for us (we rarely do sit-down restaurants because of the kids), so I try to limit it to one lunch out on a shopping day as incentive to get the kids to behave.

 

[Swimnoid]

We used to eat out every Friday when my DD was still at home. Once she went to college that stopped.

I work out of town on a lot of weekends and have to eat out so I dont really want to eat out during the week.

I'll get take out pizza or chinese maybe twice per month.

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

Too much (I voted 3-4 times)! I do not mind cooking but, I HATE doing dishes, so I think that is why. If all dishes were disposable I may eat at home more .

We are trying to do better. DH has really stepped up and packs his lunch everyday (or almost, if he is running late he sometimes does not) and I am making lunch here for myself and the kids. When he works late and I have school late are the hardest nights as the kids have already ate, with whichever grandparent is watching them.