Inflation Example
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Eating out is definitely an occasional splurge, but in July I had several outings. I try not to overthink and just enjoy the company, but it felt like my wallet was much lighter than anticipated. When looking at the online menu for a lunch gathering, there was a couple photos patrons posted a year ago of the menu. Sure enough, costs across the menu have increased between 15 and 23%. A Rheuben a year ago was $13.99, now $16.99. The burger I was considering went from $12.99 to $14.99. I don't fault the owners, but it does make me think hard before automatically accepting an invite for a meal out or suggesting it. I'm just one person, but imagine if 25% of folks reduced their outings by just 25%, that's a hard result loss to owners and staff of 7% revenue/gratuities. I come from a long line of restaurant workers, myself included. I put myself through college as a server so I know the hurt wait staff might feel.
I don't have rules per se, but guidelines for where and when I eat out to both protect my wallet a bit, but also enjoy the outings more.
- Reserve eating out for a social meal with others; usually when I might not otherwise easily see all parties, or haven't for a while, or if celebrating something.
- Eat at independently owned businesses.
- Order something I'd likely not make at home.
- Limit or not add extras like soda or upcharged fries or tots if meal comes already with an adequate side (or just skipping a side.)
I agree as to rising costs, trying to keep locally owned restaurants afloat, and alternatives to "eating out." Warren and I are infamous for our NOT eating out, so friends do not waste their breath asking! The flip side of that? When we went out west last July to visit, we both about fell over when we took family out and saw the menu prices! WHOA! When did THAT happen? My sons were like "yeah, mom, that's what it costs nowadays." (When we go to Mayo, we almost always "dine out" at the cafeteria in the Eisenberg building: superb food and prices are low because it serves a lot of employees. Either that or a salad and something from Kwik Trip...last of the big spenders here! )
ReplyDeleteIt adds up so quickly when you have to be away from home. My SIL packed her lunch andcsnacjs last year when my brother was in the hospital for weeks and months. We'd bring her meals too.
DeleteThe first one is our biggest. we don't eat out because we don't feel like cooking, or we didn't plan. Well, I suppose I occasionally do that after travel, and use a gift card to get lunch, but as a general rule, 90 of the time our eating out is planned & is intentional. We also try to eat at locally owned restaurants. Once we get there, we tend to order what we'd like (although are generally not big splurges in that regard), but we typically order a glass of wine, which definitely drives up the bill. - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteIf anyone had good reason to use take out or go out it's you after your grueling work travel. I do enjoy when I splurge on dinner out, a beer or glass of wine, maybe a cocktail as part of enjoying the overall dinner. It's soda pop thats avoided...$4 minimum for colored water.
DeleteWe don't eat out because of not wanting to cook or not planning but for the social aspect. Usually, we eat out once or twice a month plus on special occasions. But we always go to independently owned restaurants not chains. We vote with our money and if the food isn't up to our standards we cross that place off our list. I don't mind paying extra for really good food but not mediocre.
ReplyDeleteThat was from me, I didn't notice I wasn't signed in until I hit publish. ;-)
DeleteI do really like eating out at places with quality food and having good company. If the staff are good it's a nice experience too.
DeletePrices at restaurants and even food trucks have risen dramatically here and they were higher than what we were used to when we moved here 3 years ago. I know some of it is the higher minimum wage here (which I fully support) but they have risen quickly in the recent past even when the food isn't that good. Mostly we are reserving going out to times we are entertaining others or our current staycation with our granddaughter in tow.
ReplyDeleteIts not me never going out, just needing to be realistic that it cant be my default when I've so many other ways my money neefs to be spent. Staycations are times of splurge.
DeleteThe only times that we eat out anymore, are to celebrate birthdays or when we are on vacation. I admit that I get tired of cooking, but when a casual restaurant meal costs our family a week's worth of groceries, it doesn't seem worth it except for special occasions.
ReplyDeleteWith just me, it'd be so easy to just pick up something, order take out. I figure by not doing that, I can put the funds towards treating another like my kids, MIL, sister, or friends on occasion.
DeleteIt definitely has gotten expensive to eat out! Two other guidelines that I use are to bring home leftovers and some restaurants have a loyalty program that's worth joining.
ReplyDeleteGreat additions. I ask about the specials too, but only order if something I genuinely want. Tuesday I got the taco special which was $9 compared to a burger at $15. It sounded really good as I hadn't had tacos in a while and they were very good.
DeleteI worked through lunch with leftovers from home for most of my career Now that I am retired, . I go out to lunch with individual friends 2-4 times per month, My husband and I go out to dinner a couple of times a month and do takeout (usually with a coupon or credit card rebate couple of times a month. We don’t have expensive hobbies aside from travel. (which is heavily points and miles based). I read a lot, hike, exercise at home and seek out free or low cost local activities. I’ve found that my one on one lunches and dinners help to strengthen my relationships and make up for all those stress/filled eating at my desk years.
ReplyDeleteI know if my husband was here, we'd eat out more. He really liked his Saturdsy nights out and lunches out on days out and about. I just noticed how fast prices went up so as you do, want my meals out to be part of enjoying time with others.
DeleteI agree with the not ordering drinks and extra sides and bringing left overs home. I've even been known to have a small cooler with an ice pack in the car if I'm not going straight home. It makes me sick to see so many people leave half their meals behind, especially with food costs so high.
ReplyDeleteI'm never opposed to splitting meals and don't mind when theres a small upcharge. I'd rather that than waste food. Great idea to have a cold cooler ready to use.
DeleteWell, we do go out a lot, but with lots of workarounds. To be honest, more to manage the calories than the cost, but regardless, it aligns well with your post today. And yes, prices seem up/up/up, almost the same cost now to share one item as it used to cost for two separate items.
ReplyDeleteWe very rarely do 'traditional' dining anymore. Instead we favor breweries that serve food, or upscale fast casual places (often with full bars), or Happy Hours. The reason being that we can share an item at any of these without anyone caring or feeling 'stiffed;. And we can linger, the primary reason, really, that we dine out.
We almost always drink simply water. Or, if at a brewery, a beer for spouse and perhaps a tester sized hard cider or seltzer for me. A single iced coffee can keep me/us contentedly sitting, chatting, and/or people watching for a full hour.
To Beth's point above, regarding lunches out with girlfriends to maintain relationships - I have frequent gal pal one-on-one dates, generally preceded by a joint walk or hike or kayak, but follow the same principals in my reply above for the most part. The majority of my girlfriends are fairly weight conscious, particularly as we all age and are burn rates slow, and likewise enjoy sharing a single item. Or we meet for coffee.
DeleteThe social outings over meals that both you and Beth shared align with my guidelines. It's part of enjoying the company. I know you're very calorie conscious, so your way if approaching meals out sounds like a great way to enjoy going out. When I eat out, it's a treat so I want to feel like I can eat what I'd like if others choose other things on the menu, so sharing( though not opposed at all) isn't my default unless happy hour appetizers (happy appys), so I tend to bring home food from dinner out.
DeleteI rarely eat out, as I just like home cooked better and I know what goes on in my kitchen. When I do go out - it is lunch and water. Much cheaper that way.
ReplyDeleteI do not do fast food any longer - but those prices have been going up for years and are now almost more expensive than a nice restaurant.
I get these coupons sent every month from Burger King. Yikes, the deals are pretty high for fast food. I do use the McDonald app for 99 coffee on occasion. I enjoy vesting out with others but need to limit. Many restaurants aren't any less at lunch irvdinner...same menu, but tend to have lunch specials.
DeleteI think I have “eaten out” technically three times this year. My youngest son paid for one meal at Olive Garden, soup, breadsticks, salad, I grabbed a meal at the Salt Lake airport before boarding a flight, and then I went to Subway a couple
ReplyDeleteof weeks ago and grabbed a sandwich before a job interview ( which I got the job and more
on that later). My oldest runs the kitchen in a popular restaurant in northern part of the state so I have restaurant workers in my family also. I live somewhere that doesn’t have a restaurant. There is a food truck on Fridays but I am never around. Where I will be working, in the state capital city, has tons of food choices and a restaurant on every corner it seems, but I don’t think I will have time with the commute and trying to get work done over lunch. Now I am known to grab food at a grocery deli and take that home sometimes, like a salad kit or a sandwich. No salads lately with the greens scare though It will be interesting to see if I start eating out a lot although that has never been my thing. I don’t especially enjoy sitting in restaurants but takeout is fine. Cindy in the South
I get shade fir this, but love the sound, salad, breadstick combo at Olive Garden. Its been years since I've been to one, maybe 2017 before nieces wedding! A long time coworker from previoys job from tge one I retired from gave me a gift card for retirement for OG but I haven't used yet. Hopefully salads will be declared ( and are) but I did have a spinach dalad Sunday. Your new work is incredibly fascinating. I hope it's a great change.
DeleteOh, I forgot when I went to a seminar on the beach in June I bought a takeout Oyster PoBoy. It was delicious! Terrible rains prevented me from going out again or I should say I didn’t want to go back out bc of rains. Cindy in the South
DeleteWe generally don't eat out a lot, but when we do, it definitely has to be something I won't cook at home. A treat now and then is a good idea though.
ReplyDeleteI ate lunch out yesterday and was floored at the prices. Its getting harder for me to justify not cooking.
ReplyDelete