eating out vs. groceries, and knowing your budget

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I came in this morning hoping to sit down and post about something

that I discovered in my budget. I spend several hours per week with

my budget…as a rule. I know it intimately. I have one page in a

huge notebook for each month…and when I sit down to work on it, i

also review the months to come…for example, I know in october, I

will have a 3rd paycheck….and I have not yet developed a list of

things to cover with that check…but I’m sure I will..that check

also does not have medical insurance taken out of it. I am usually

very careful about what I spend, knowing how little I have to go from

end to end. (I usually say, my ends meet, they just don’t spend much

time together)

I was really surprised to see that I’d spent $100.00 in July for

lunches out, iced coffees on a saturday, and one weeknight pizza.

ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could have

sent that extra $100.00 to a credit card…or stocked up on

groceries. *shaking my head*

Then I was reading a few digest posts from over the weekend, and saw

one person budget $35-$100 a week for eating out (or was it a

month?) My question is, why eat out at all? And I’m asking myself

this also.

You can buy a greater quantity of food, prepare it how you want,

etc,., for a smaller amount than eating out….just consider the

tip!!!!! If I take my 2 children to friendly’s for dinner (We have

not done this in A G E S) It will cost between $30 and $35.00. The

tip for that amount is between $5 and $7.00 Imagine how much food

you could buy at the grocery store for $40-$42.00 !!!!!!

A year ago, I discovered i was spending $200.00 a month on eating

out….on average. Looking back at old spending lists…I have not

spent more than $40.00 on “eating out/iced coffee/coffee etc” in

several months. This month was higher, though I’m unsure why.

Anyway….Happy Monday everyone.

Marie in Vermont

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