While reading about Jennifer's impulse splurge I thought about the answer to her query. What places do we avoid now that we have reduced income and are committed to getting out of debt?
Fast food restaurants, or restaurants in general for that matter!
I can recall RARE times where we have had someone that could watch the kids for us and we could go to a sit down dinner in a nice restaurant. Inevitably, the food would be mediocre and overpriced and there would always be a nice big helping of guilt and eater's regret on the side. We might as well have been sauteeing our dollar bills and chopping up our change. After our last dining fiasco, Mr. Querido and I agreed that restaurants are overrated and we would prefer a luxurious dinner at home where there is no side of regret served for dessert.
So this got me thinking about how much we might have spent in one year on eating out. I decided to tally up what we have spent so far this year, average it and then multiply it by twelve for an approximation on what we might have spent.
Average workday expenditure on eating out: $4.61
Average weekly expenditure on eating out: $23.06
Average monthly expenditure on eating out: $92.25! (Holey Guacamole!)
Average yearly expenditure on eating out: $1107.00...ouch that really hurts...
Now keep in mind that we have been on a serious budget since I stopped working after Miss Precious was born...ten months ago. Before that, eating out was a regular event. Especially because I was often too tired from working to actually put a meal together. So I think we could have easily spent more like $2000.00 a year on eating out.
And let's not forget what kind of places we dined at.. "have it your way" on the way to the poorhouse King, gourmet Mexican cuisine that has "you running to the border" from your creditors, and the all American burger joint open late-night so you can snack your way into bankruptcy at 1 am.
Convenience isn't so convenient when you realize that your checkbook is hemorrhaging at the drive-thru window!
Now, Mr. Querido and I make sure that the kids have something to snack on in the car, a bottle of water for thirst and we happily breeze by those golden arches.
***I should mention that no, we are not on our way to the poorhouse or bankruptcy God has provided well for us and we are blessed!***
FIVE IN THE POTTER'S HAND
6 comments:
My ex and I use to go out every Saturday for lunch or dinner--and we usually liked really froo-froo places, so I bet we were spending closer to $3,000!!! I still miss the company, but not the bill :)!
I now have no credit card payments, no car payment, and am working to pay off a mortgage loan--plus I have my emergency savings. Feels AWESOME!!! Keep up all your hard work and I know you'll get there too!
All the best to you!...and thanks for the shout out ;)!
Thanks Jennifer! One day we will be able to scream "We're debt freeeee!"
I think it's wise to write down everything you spend, so you know where you stand! We're debt free except for our house and one car and we did it by writing down every single penny!
good post!!! We were working on slowing down our quick snacks when we were out and had drasitcally reduced them. But then having to go gluten free meant we were immediately down to 0 quick snacks out! Those blessings in disguise ;-)
We are THAT family:
You are sooo right! Until you know what you are spending you will never get out debt. Congratulations on your freedom! We too are debt free except for the minivan (which Miss Precious was a surprise so we weren't planning on needing a vehicle that could hold three kids in the back...lol!) and our home. Feels great doesn't it?
Katie:
That's a good way to see the silver lining of your situation :) Glad you enjoyed the post..thanks for stopping by!
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