Comments on: Money Stories: Not Eating Out For A Week

By: leslie

leslie — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 21:14:21 +0000

I was confused by Wednesday’s dillemma. I thought the experiment was to “cut out all eating out food expenses for an entire week”. So then why would paying cover to get into a bar be a problem? Did you buy food at the bar? If not, then I am not sure how that affected your experiment.

By: Rainy-Day Saver

Rainy-Day Saver — Tue, 18 May 2010 04:40:01 +0000

I’m with @Monevator and @Roshawn. This isn’t a mind-blowing ‘experiment’ for most of us — it’s everyday life to make our own meals and brown-bag our lunch. I’d be broke if I did otherwise (not to mention the food is extremely unhealthy when you eat out). Our one splurge is sushi or sandwiches from the deli, maybe once a month.
.-= Rainy-Day SaverÂ´s last blog ..Giveaway Winners! =-.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sun, 16 May 2010 14:25:34 +0000

@Monevator, I also rarely eat out (MAYBE 3 times a month), but she did include the morning muffin, quick lunches, and late night snacks. By being more conscious, she was able to cut back pretty significantly, probably saved a bunch in just a week, and hopefully she’ll be able to cut down more and put the difference into savings.

By: Roshawn @ Watson Inc

Roshawn @ Watson Inc — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:32:54 +0000

@Monevator, I completely agree and thought that I was in the minority. We eat out a few times a month typically 3 times/mo or less. I do agree that the meals tend to be healthier, which is a primary motivation. .-= Roshawn @ Watson IncÂ´s last blog ..Do The Rich Pay Their Fair Share Of Taxes? =-.

By: Monevator

Monevator — Sat, 15 May 2010 01:56:57 +0000

Sometimes I read posts on the blogosphere that make me realize why I’ve found it so easy to save and invest my money.

Not eating out five times in a week!? I don’t eat out five times in a *month* (and I consider myself someone who likes eating out. ;)

Try not leaving the house for a week (in bed sick with back pain) and so not being able to top up your food supplies, and so having to be increasingly ‘creative’ in the kitchen. (Starvation has its uses. :( )

By: Nunzio Bruno

Nunzio Bruno — Fri, 14 May 2010 23:29:20 +0000

I thought this was a great exercise! I just finished a challenge like this a few weeks ago and by the end of it I was pretty sick of what was in the fridge too. I agree with you though, it does teach you about resourcefulness. I really appreciate the fact that you went into this not trying to avoid life either. What this means is that even though a zero dollar budget is a little unrealistic you can start to train yourself to be a more conscious saver-and that’s pretty important. Great work!!
.-= Nunzio BrunoÂ´s last blog ..Negotiate Your Debt Like A Pro =-.

By: Dani

Dani — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:33:02 +0000

@David, I can’t argue that, but with the right ingredient brussel sprouts really can be delicious!

By: Dani

Dani — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:30:41 +0000

@Forest, yea the truth is I usually look back at the end of each work week and find that if I was diligent I really didn’t spend that much money at all, even if I wasn’t on a self-imposed challenge. I guess good budgeting habits aren’t too hard to keep up!

By: Dani

Dani — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:28:54 +0000

@Everyday Tips, sadly, I did eat out on Saturday night. I could only keep the challenge going through Friday and kind of caved on the weekend :)

By: Dani

Dani — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:28:12 +0000

@Kyle C., any suggestions for menu items? I find I run out of ideas pretty quickly…

By: David

David — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:28:53 +0000

Interestingly enough, when people eat at home, they typically eat healthier, which hopefully will cut down on future medical expenses :-)

That said, veggie patties and brussel sprouts will not compel anyone to stay home and eat on a consistent basis :-P
.-= DavidÂ´s last blog ..Hello world! =-.

By: Forest

Forest — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:10:20 +0000

..Forgot to hit Notify checkbox so leaving this comment so I can be emailed replies :)

By: Forest

Forest — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:09:53 +0000

I don’t do it that often but when I do I don’t find it that hard. I work for myself on my laptop so luckily can easily stay home but do miss being around other people so often do head out… I try and pack lunch when I do this.

Anyway well done… Maybe you should make it a once monthly event.
.-= ForestÂ´s last blog ..Does A Minimalist Lifestyle Breed Laziness? =-.

By: Everyday Tips

Everyday Tips — Fri, 14 May 2010 13:01:32 +0000

So, I have to ask, did you go out to eat on Saturday? :)

I would have a hard time with this because I am a stay at home mom (kids in school), so lunch time is my social time. I am so busy every single evening, I would be so isolated if I didn’t get out to lunch a couple times a week. I realize it is a money drain, but it is really the only thing I spend money on.

I do love when I have the chance to cook a lot of big dinners, and have those leftovers available for lunch for the whole family.
.-= Everyday TipsÂ´s last blog ..What Are You Saving For, Besides Retirement? =-.

By: Kyle C.

Kyle C. — Fri, 14 May 2010 11:28:04 +0000

For the most part I guess I don't see this as all that extreme. A good portion of my coworkers don't spend anything during the week on going out. I am usually the bad influence but I am usually only in the office once a month. This week we finally got back into our groove of not eating out for dinner and I have been cooking all week long. It is amazing the power of writing out a menu plan for the week. .-= Kyle C.Â´s last blog ..Sell Your Car Yourself, Screw the Dealership â€“ Part 2 =-.