I'm just curious because I am trying to budget and I need help with this. We are a family of four and I think we spend way more than other families.

By Vicki on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 08:28 pm:

I would say we only eat out about once or twice a month. But we do order a pizza every Friday night, so that would have to count too I guess. LOL My amount would be about 125.00 a month?? That would be on the high side, but about the amount I would budget for us.

By Kate on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 08:34 pm:

Maybe a pizza once a month...that's all. We're a married couple with two kids ages 11 and 6.

By Reds9298 on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 08:44 pm:

In our budget, I consider "eating out" to be a sit-down place OR fast food. We are a married couple with a 2 1/2yr. old. We eat out every Friday night, mostly fast food, and maybe twice a month sit-down. We have about $100/month budgeted for eating out. (That doesn't include DH's 2 lunches/week out)

By Yjja123 on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 09:17 pm:

We get take-out (from various restaurants) every Saturday night for movie night. There are 4 of us. We average $150 a month.

By Debbie on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 09:43 pm:

We usually eat out once a week. There are 4 of us. I say we spend around $125.00 a month. Now, if dh and I get a date night during the month, we will go somewhere nicer, and spend a little more.

By Colette on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 09:49 pm:

Dh and I go out 1-2 nights per week without the kids. We probably spend between $40 (mai tai's and takeout chinese) to $100 for a nice dinner each time we go out, and then Sunday night is pizza night and we either get pizza from our local pizza shop or dh makes it for everyone.

By Jjb on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 10:54 pm:

We eat out as a famiily once a month. About every month or two DH and I try to go out. We probably spend $35-$100 a month ($35 if dh and I don't go out).

By Mommmie on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 11:10 pm:

Less than $100 (me and my son) but, I swear this is the "eat out capitol of the world" and I know families spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars every month eating out. Not me though.

This doesn't count work lunches however. I spend about $125/month on work breakfast and lunch. I also spend about $75 a month on Starbucks for us, too.

Also, we split a lot of stuff when we eat out. Last night I got take out at Chili's. He got the rib eye and I got the 2 sides, garlic bread and dinner salad that came with it. $19 for one meal to feed two people. I can't imagine doubling that if we each ordered something.

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 12:47 am:

It's so hard for us not to eat out, as we have several restaurants within 3 miles of our house, including at least 6 pizza places and every major fast food chain. So often dh and I will be watching TV and we will see a commercial for a restaurant, and dh will say "Boy, that looks good!" and that restaurant will be just up the street, so it's no biggie to hop in the car.

I make sure to collect any restaurant coupons I come across in the Sunday paper or the weekly mailing, whether I use them or not.

A new pizza place went in up the street, and for $26 I got a sheet full of coupons worth $200, including 16 free pizzas, 4 of which are available without any other purchase.

On average, I would say we eat out twice a week, spending an average of $30 per week, depending on where we go. We don't go to the more expensive restaurants very often, like TGI Friday's or Olive Garden. But at Ponderosa the 3 of us can eat for around $20 with a coupon.

By Breann on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 10:30 am:

We are guilty of spending way too much on eating out. We spend about $250/month. We usually eat out every Saturday and Sunday, as well as take out at least once during the week.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 03:22 pm:

We spend too much on eating out per month, i think.

We probably eat out once every other week.

Plus dh and I (or us separately but with friends) go out a few times a month to.

By Andi on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 03:38 pm:

Our family is a family of four. I've never added it up but I'm sure it's around $500 or so a month. DH eats out eveyday for lunch the kids and I eat out once or twice a week for lunch. We eat out as a family every Saturday and Sunday for lunch and dinner. Usually fast food one night and sit down the other.
I cook dinner at home M-F so eating out on the weekends gives me a break.

By Tarable on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 03:40 pm:

OMG.. I just realized how much we eat out every month... As a family we eat out once a week at a sit down place (chili's or somewhere about that price) which ends up between $30 and $50. But we also have at least 1 fast food meals on the weekend (sometimes 2). That is between $10 to $20 depending on how hungry the girls are and if they eat adult meals.

DH and I work at the same place so our "dates" are typically lunch dates. We both eat out at least 4 times a week and probably 3 of those are $20+ for the 2 of us. I know this is a lot but we both HATE eating in the break room because there are some people that are always in there that we don't like to be around.

Our eating out bill is OUTRAGEOUS!!!!

But I cook breakfast and dinner most days except Friday. Maybe that is where all of our money goes!!!!!

We are bad... I think we pay more for eating out than I do at the grocery store a month.. I need to rethink that..

I guess I don't notice because DH and I have separate accounts and I don't pay for most of the eating out.

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 05:41 pm:

0$ and about 50$ when Scott was home (on date night.) Although, I buy my mom an Arby's milkshake every other day.
It was funny bc one of our friends said that our grocery bill seemed outrageous ($130/week or so when Scott was home) and I just looked at her...THEY go out to eat twice a week!! $50-75 a pop!

By Kaye on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 06:18 pm:

We also eat out quite a bit. We do a lot of take out and coupons though. For example on mon and tuesday nights, one place we go, kids eat for 99cents (all three even the 13 year old). Our meals are 7 dollars plus drinks. So we walk out at about 25 dollars. Plus there is enough to take home for lunch for me the next day.

I eat out lunch 2-3 days a week. My hubby eats out lunch the same. The kids pack lunches, we eat all breakfasts at home. We don't buy coffee or sodas.

We also will pick up chinese buffet usually once a week, for 8.50 it will feed both hubby and I. On those days the kids eat frozen pizza for dinner (i don't like pizza much).

We also go out for a meal every sat and sunday. So I don't really add it up. I don't spend much on groceries though, i shop well and frugally!

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 08:35 pm:

Heidi- Our grocery bill is about $130/week also and my friend is the same way. She thinks that's outrageous but they eat out constantly and I know it's more than that. I think WE spend too much eating out!

By Truestori on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 10:34 pm:

Now, I'm embarassed to admit the amount for sure... ~

My hubby eats out everyday for lunch, I get Starbucks once maybe twice per week, and our average bill in a month is about $500.00 sometimes more...OMG>>>>> I realized we needed to cut back when my neighbor said she has an allowance of $150.00 per week for groceries, fun money and gas. And that total is on top of a grocery bill that averages $70-150 a week! Thanks for the feedback, I really needed to know that I was the odd man out. Honestly, I would rather use the money towards a new vehicle.

By Sandysmom on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 10:46 pm:

Too much! I'm not a gourmet cook but would love to be. I have a much bigger variety of foods that I will eat than my husband and older DD. So at home, our meals can get very plain although I do offer veggies whenever I cook and if they don't eat them, little dd & I do.(she is more like me) I like to go out because I get a chance to eat more of the things that I would normally love to cook at home but it is useless if I am the only one to eat it.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 11:18 pm:

I'm embarrassed to admit it, too! Tomorrow, the kids will have to fend for themselves, since I have to work at 5pm, but I made some chicken spinach enchiladas for them tonight and Sarah will make the Spanish rice tomorrow. We are baking them right now (got a late start.) We figured they could put them in the oven to warm up tomorrow, and then add the cheese, before they eat them. We won't add the cheese tonight. So, while we ran out of time, to make the enchiladas for supper tonight, I figured we could make them after supper tonight, for tomorrow. I will get a good treat, when I come home from work, then. I added cilantro to the recipe, since I LOVE cilantro. I enjoyed cutting it up, because it smells so good!

By Truestori on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 10:56 am:

Dawn,
I would love the receipe to the enchiladas, they sound delicious.
Honestly, I do try and cook but I work all week and then go to school on SAt. & Sun. so time is limited. Hubby works 10 hour days so by the time everyone gets home it's almost 7p.m. I guess the crock pot will have to start being my best friend. LOL