How often do you eat out?

[Disney-Kim]

I am curious...we eat out a lot. We are DINK's...(no kids) and we we eat out all weekend...not during the week. We do make dinner at home during the work week. but eat out lunch/dinner all weekend.
We are trying to be more budget conscious this last few months and have cut out eating at the high end restaurants we used to frequent. It's entertaining for us and we enjoy it. also...I just don't like to cook that much so happy not to do it on weekends.

but I am curious...I know we aer not the norm....what is the norm? do most people not eat out at all? especially those budget conscious folks?

We are trying to cut down even further....just to save more cash towards vacations.

 

[TifffanyD]

We are DINKs too and eat out, on average, 1-2 times per week. This includes take out though. We don't go to high end places and frequently use restaurant.com certificates, so it's not too bad.

 

[marcyinPA]

Hardly ever. Maybe once every 2-3 weeks. And sometimes that might only be take-out, like pizza or Chinese.

We used to eat out a lot more, when our kids were younger and not involved in anything, and when we could go to those family restaurants where kids eat free.

Now, both of our kids no longer eat off the kids menu, so the bill really adds up! Plus, they are both so busy that it really is almost easier to cook something at home. I will often cook extra of something, and freeze it, and then just thaw it out and heat it on extra busy nights. I also try to use my crock-pot once a week or so. I have a HUGE box of recipes that I've collected over the years, and I've found that sharing recipes with friends has made cooking much more enjoyable. I have a lot more ideas now, and food hasn't become as boring as it used to be. Plus, I like knowing exactly what I'm feeding my family...how much fat is in it, etc. We were gaining quite a bit of weight when we ate out more often! We definitely eat healthier at home.

 

[dex08]

We're DINKs as well and we used to go out a lot on the weekends for dinner but cut that out about 4 months ago. I've got it down to going out only once every other weekend.

 

[dizneechic]

If you include take out (pizza, fast food, subs, etc) our family of 5 eats out 2-4 times a week. We tend to do lunches out on weekends and dinners during the week. Dh and the kids all bring lunches to work/school, we rarely buy out when not as a family.

 

[Purseval]

Almost never. Even in Orlando we usually get stuff at the markets and make it up back at the hotel. When we do go it it's a big treat. It's not that we can't affor it it's just not part of our routine and it frees up the money for other things.

 

[Handbag Lady]

We are DINKs too and we eat out about 3-6 times a week.

We do use the Entertainment book and get 50% off very often, but sometimes we forget the coupons.


I figure, we both work really long hours and I don't want to cook on the weekends. Some nights, cooking is just out of the question, too.

But, we do order big when we go out and save the leftovers for lunch during the work week.

I have no plans to change at this time.

 

[Anne34]

We go out every Saturday night as a family -- and I often get take out once per week (usually lunch on the weekend). We try to use coupons and restaurant.com certificates when we can.

Adding: We are a family of 5 -- only one who uses the children's menu any longer -- it really adds up!

 

[bettymae1121]

We're DINKS and eat out way too much (3x's a week on average for last year). We have decided to try and cut out the number of times we eat way down (1x per week), but in exchange go to much nicer places. Even with the higher tabs, we figure we'll save money in the long run. I'd rather spend $300 a month eating out 4x at more expensive places than $600 a month eating out 12x at places like Applebee's, you know? (and I made those numbers up, btw, that's not what we really spend!).

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

We usually get pizza or McDonalds once a week (friday). But as far as sit down and be waited on, probably 3-4xs a year (not including out Disney Trip obviously).

 

[kacaju]

Family of 5 here. We eat out for each of our Birthdays and other then that maybe once every other month.
We are not big into eating out. I enjoy cooking though so that is a big part. Also I cant see spending $70+ for the 5 of us to eat at Applebee's when i can take that money and buy a weeks worth of food to cook for dinner.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I am talking mostly sit down restaurants..we get Del Taco once a week or so when we are just too tired to cook or a long day at work. But on the weekends its all restaurants.

I am curious....it seems like those with kids...stay home and those without don't...which I can understand cost wise.

So if you don't eat out on Sat night...what do you do?? We have eaten out on Sat nights for so many years that its our "thing to do". We used to eat out $150 Sat night dinners a lot...and THAT has been cut out...we spend that much in the whole weekend now. but still...I realize that really adds up...$500 or more a month....and now that I am more money/budget conscious I see that as possible savings.

but if we don't eat out that means I have to come up with more to cook and my DH has to make his own cocktails....its hard to change

 

[Disney-Kim]

For those who rarely eat out...do you cook every night of the week? do you work too??
Its so hard to come up with new stuff to cook.

I have been reading more recipies online lately...although Paula Deen's website could be dangerous

 

[Justsyd2]

We eat out maybe 1-2 times per month since most restaurant food is unhealthy. We tend to cook gourmet meals at home.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Before we moved, we ate out several times a week and thought nothing of dropping $100 or so each time! Yikes...the money we threw away!! When we moved, we decided to live more simply. It was an adjustment, but now it's our norm. I'd say we go out to each once or twice a month sit down. Take out probably once a week when we are out running around on the weekends.

We really enjoy eating out and see that not only as eating, but also as entertainment.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

At a real restaurant - maybe once or twice a YEAR...

I cook almost every night. You get used to it. It is very easy to break the cycle though and order a pizza. (We were doing really good until DD got a job at the local pizza place)

You asked what we do on Saturday nights, nothing., but you could make a nice meal at home then to see a movie, go to a museum or gallery, or just go out for a nice glass of wine. We (us being We before children) would walk a park or the mall on Saturday nights. People watching is an art in itself.

 

[tlh0726]

Very rarely and then only if we have some type of coupon and we all drink water unless the drink is included in the price.
When you spend over half of your weekly grocery budget on one meal, it is time to rethink things. It is expensive taking a family out to dinner.

 

[sunlover13]

We have 1 kid (7) and we eat out pretty much the whole weekend. Neither one of us enjoys cooking very much. We do make dinners all week b/c of time, $, etc. However, the weekends, we hardly ever cook. We also don't really do sit downs either. We do Chinese takeout, pizza, or even Mexican and eat at home. Then eat the leftovers for lunch the next day.

We eat out for lunch a few times a week too for work, but that is usually subway, Panera, etc.

I can see how it would add up if you are going to really nice restaurants and ordering drinks.

Honestly, if we order Chinese, it is usually $20. That is about 4 meals so $5 a meal really isn't too bad if you ask me. There are somethings we cook at home that cost more than $5 a meal and probably do not taste as good.

Your DH should enjoy making his own cocktails. More booze, less expensive.

 

[Swimalie]

We have 1 child and eat out every Saturday night and usually 1 to 2 times per week for lunch. That's a minimum. Saturday nights are my nights off from cooking I love Jason's Deli since I can eat a yummy meal and eat healthy, too. Although I'm usually burning around 1500 calories during a Sat morning swim practice so eating well Sat night doesn't bother me.

 

[kayla87]

For those who rarely eat out...do you cook every night of the week? do you work too??
Its so hard to come up with new stuff to cook.

As two adults, we also used to eat out a lot (fast food and carry out), but started cutting that out a few months ago. Last month we only paid for 3 meals out (pizzas using BOGO free coupons that were going to expire Dec 31).

In the past I've tried to do the home cooking thing, but we always go back to fast food. The thing that I've learned makes it easier is cooking meals that last for more than one night. This week, we're having chili (one night of cooking, two to three nights of meals), spaghetti (one night of cooking, two nights of meals), and chicken breasts with steamed broccoli (only one meal). This keeps me from getting burned out cooking, or most importantly WASHING DISHES. I work part time and go to school full time, so I don't have time to spend hours in the kitchen.

It takes practice, but eventually you'll get the hang of cooking at home and it won't be as hard to come up with meal ideas.