How to Eat Out Less Often

Who doesn't like to eat out. It is a time to socialize, indulge your taste buds and not worry about preparation or clean up. But there is a down side. Those lovely dinners out and quick fast food meals add up to lots of money spent on eating out. If you've been overdoing it, here are some tips to help you eat out less.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Calculator
• small notebook

1. Calculate how many times you eat out each month. Include both fast food and restaurant meals. Once you have figured out how often you eat out, then decide how much you want to cut back each week or month. For example, if you eat out six times per week, then try to cut back to only five times per week during that month and gradually reduce it to even less.
2. Substitute a restaurant meal for a takeout meal once in a while since they are often cheaper. Takeout meals often don't include tips, desserts and drinks, so you'll spend less but still have a convenient meal that you didn't have to prepare.
3. Try other social activities to eat out less. If you use dining out as a way to socialize ask a friend if they would be willing to substitute a meal outing with a free or inexpensive substitute such as a walk, volunteering together, or watching a game or show on TV together.
4. Pack your lunch. Take 5 minutes to pack your lunch in the morning or the night before. A little bit of planning can make a big difference with your budget and help you eat out less often.
5. Keep track of how much you spend each month on eating out. Have a calculator and small notebook that you keep in your car or purse. Write down and add up all costs of eating out and find out how much you spend each month. Just seeing the amount of money spent on eating out may be a huge incentive to cut back.

Tips & Warnings

• The average American spends $884 dollars each year on eating out while the average household spends $2,211 each year.
• Set a goal for yourself for the maximum number of times that you want to eat out each month and slowly work towards it by gradually cutting back on how much you eat out until you meet and maintain your goal.