eating out vs. groceries, and knowing your budget

[Guest]

I am probably the one who posted about eating out once a
week and we do spend $35-100 weekly on this treat for a family of 5 (4 adults).
I wait for this night out and look forward to not cooking as does my husband
and my children. It is our splurge after a long week of work.
Rarely, it is $100 and that is a big treat. I always cut coupons and do
what I can to save $$$. I don’t buy cigarettes any longer (15 years
now), or alcohol (19 years now), and I don’t buy coffee out (I make my
own), I don’t go to Macy’s or Nordstrom’s or SHOP like many
women do. My kids are told NO all week while their friends are
getting fast food and cool toys (they wait for their birthdays and Christmas).
Actually, this has been a great money saver because we have all become more
willing to cut out treats during the week knowing that we will get a little
splurge on this one night. It is sort of like having the couple pieces of
chocolate that satisfies the urge and lets you continue to do well on a
diet. My kids all have the option of not eating with my husband and
I and instead getting fast food and many times they would rather do this
(another money saver) and still it is a treat for them. I am really
grateful that we can budget for this now, even if it is just $35, because
I spent a couple years in really hard times raising my oldest son on my own
with just $299/month in a metropolitan area and working my way through school in
hopes of having just a little bit extra one day. For those that don’t
allow themselves or their children a little splurge once in while, it might
actually increase the savings if you really limit it. Blessings!
Lisa

[Author]

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