Comments on: Reigning in the Dining Out Budget http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2009/08/29/reigning-in-the-dining-out-budget/ Living Less Large in Central MA Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:28:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Frugal in the Fruitlands » 8 Ways to Curb Impulse Spending http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2009/08/29/reigning-in-the-dining-out-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-4275 Frugal in the Fruitlands » 8 Ways to Curb Impulse Spending Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:37:11 +0000 http://frugalfruitlands.net/?p=384#comment-4275 [...] examined my spending triggers individually in a couple of different posts (i.e., “Reigning in the Dining Out Budget” and “The Economics and Psychology of a Spending Trigger”), but around a year ago I [...] [...] examined my spending triggers individually in a couple of different posts (i.e., “Reigning in the Dining Out Budget” and “The Economics and Psychology of a Spending Trigger”), but around a year ago I [...]

]]> By: Kay http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2009/08/29/reigning-in-the-dining-out-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-4077 Kay Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:29:45 +0000 http://frugalfruitlands.net/?p=384#comment-4077 You can do a dinner swap- If you have folks that also like to dine out- you pick a night each week where you cook for BOTH families. The next week they cook for BOTH. Or you could both take a night each week. This way you both get a break and get to try something different. You can save money by buying in bulk for that meal, you get your night off and it can be alot of fun- You can do a dinner swap- If you have folks that also like to dine out- you pick a night each week where you cook for BOTH families. The next week they cook for BOTH. Or you could both take a night each week. This way you both get a break and get to try something different. You can save money by buying in bulk for that meal, you get your night off and it can be alot of fun-

]]> By: Frugal in the Fruitlands » Best of the Tightwad Gazette: Universal Quiches http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2009/08/29/reigning-in-the-dining-out-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-3968 Frugal in the Fruitlands » Best of the Tightwad Gazette: Universal Quiches Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:03:49 +0000 http://frugalfruitlands.net/?p=384#comment-3968 [...] I had somewhat gotten out of the habit of pulling together leftovers in this way. However, my recently-painful dining out bills inspired me to get back in the kitchen and make something with leftovers from a party - five ears [...] [...] I had somewhat gotten out of the habit of pulling together leftovers in this way. However, my recently-painful dining out bills inspired me to get back in the kitchen and make something with leftovers from a party – five ears [...]

]]> By: Lise http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2009/08/29/reigning-in-the-dining-out-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-3899 Lise Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:08:48 +0000 http://frugalfruitlands.net/?p=384#comment-3899 Those are some good suggestions, FP. When I'm on top of things, I use the universal quiche and universal casserole recipes out of The Tightwad Gazette to pull together bits and pieces of food that are lying around. This week, too, I've been putting together a single microwaveable serving of dry oatmeal, cinnamon, brown sugar, and raisins in one of those quart containers with the cup markings on the side, and adding a cup of water when I get to work and nuking it. A very inexpensive and tasty breakfast! I am trying to get my husband on board with the envelope method for budgeting dining out. It's kind of a challenge to get him to do anything with cash, though. Those are some good suggestions, FP. When I’m on top of things, I use the universal quiche and universal casserole recipes out of The Tightwad Gazette to pull together bits and pieces of food that are lying around. This week, too, I’ve been putting together a single microwaveable serving of dry oatmeal, cinnamon, brown sugar, and raisins in one of those quart containers with the cup markings on the side, and adding a cup of water when I get to work and nuking it. A very inexpensive and tasty breakfast!

I am trying to get my husband on board with the envelope method for budgeting dining out. It’s kind of a challenge to get him to do anything with cash, though.

]]> By: Lise http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2009/08/29/reigning-in-the-dining-out-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-3898 Lise Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:14:59 +0000 http://frugalfruitlands.net/?p=384#comment-3898 Thanks for linking that article, Emily. I've heard mystery shopping recommended before, but for the reasons you state (it's stressful, time-consuming to find jobs, etc), I'm not sure it would work for me. I suppose I could look into a little bit more. Thanks for linking that article, Emily. I’ve heard mystery shopping recommended before, but for the reasons you state (it’s stressful, time-consuming to find jobs, etc), I’m not sure it would work for me. I suppose I could look into a little bit more.

]]> By: Frugal Pursuit http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2009/08/29/reigning-in-the-dining-out-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-3889 Frugal Pursuit Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:59:46 +0000 http://frugalfruitlands.net/?p=384#comment-3889 Hi Lise, A few ideas that will unfortunately put you in the kitchen but may help with the eating-out bill. 1. Making up food ahead of time. You could cook up burritos, biscuits with sausage/bacon and egg, pancakes and waffles, freeze them and reheat when needed. Burritos and sandwiches can be reheated in the microwave. I like reheating frozen pancakes in the toaster. Dress up the burritos and pancakes with different kinds of toppings. Same cook ahead and freeze could help with other meals. Even cooking up chicken or browning ground beef in big batches and then using as needed would help with the reluctance to cook. 2. Make an eating out spending category and stick to it. This is a tough one but I believe firmly in working within limits. If you know that there is only $10 left in the eating out budget and it is only the 15th of the month, it may help encourage you to eat in rather than out. 3. Keep lots of bread and sandwich fixings around. I am a big believer in the toasted cheese sandwich--easy and quick. It never hurts to have cold cuts, cheese, tuna salad or other items for quick assembly and hunger satisfaction. 4. Make it to the farmer's stand once a week and buy a new item to try along with old favorites. Who knows what you might like? Just a few thoughts that might get the creative juices flowing. Hi Lise,

A few ideas that will unfortunately put you in the kitchen but may help with the eating-out bill.
1. Making up food ahead of time. You could cook up burritos, biscuits with sausage/bacon and egg, pancakes and waffles, freeze them and reheat when needed. Burritos and sandwiches can be reheated in the microwave. I like reheating frozen pancakes in the toaster. Dress up the burritos and pancakes with different kinds of toppings.
Same cook ahead and freeze could help with other meals. Even cooking up chicken or browning ground beef in big batches and then using as needed would help with the reluctance to cook.
2. Make an eating out spending category and stick to it. This is a tough one but I believe firmly in working within limits. If you know that there is only $10 left in the eating out budget and it is only the 15th of the month, it may help encourage you to eat in rather than out.
3. Keep lots of bread and sandwich fixings around. I am a big believer in the toasted cheese sandwich–easy and quick. It never hurts to have cold cuts, cheese, tuna salad or other items for quick assembly and hunger satisfaction.
4. Make it to the farmer’s stand once a week and buy a new item to try along with old favorites. Who knows what you might like?

Just a few thoughts that might get the creative juices flowing.

]]> By: Emily @ Under$1000PerMonth http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2009/08/29/reigning-in-the-dining-out-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-3888 Emily @ Under$1000PerMonth Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:44:18 +0000 http://frugalfruitlands.net/?p=384#comment-3888 That's so funny you posted this. I just posted the other day about how to eat out for free, or really cheap. http://under1000permonth.blogspot.com/2009/08/yep-i-eat-out-lot.html That’s so funny you posted this. I just posted the other day about how to eat out for free, or really cheap.
http://under1000permonth.blogspot.com/2009/08/yep-i-eat-out-lot.html

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