When working with people and their budgets, the first thing they notice is how much they spend eating out. “Oh my gosh,” they say, “I need to stop going out with my friends!”
Well yes. And no! In this post I will go over how to be social even when you are sticking to a budget!
First, I’ve said it before and I will say it again, setting a budget doesn’t mean you cut out a bunch of spending. Having a budget sets goals and boundaries, and gives you PERMISSION to spend on certain areas that YOU’VE already decided. Second, if you set unreasonable goals (like never eating out when you are accustomed to ALWAYS eating out) then you will mess up and likely mess up hard. Go ahead and eat out with friends, go see the newest Marvel Movie (seriously, do!), just make sure you keep control of the spending while you do.
Dinner Out
Handsome Man and I love to go out to new restaurants, it is silly, but it is one of my favorite things to do for a date night. I plan ahead and make sure to save money while we do. You can cut coupons, go during happy hours, drink water or soda instead of booze, join email lists to get deals, or grab a coupon off of Groupon! There are lots of ways to save while eating out. I also know that while I try to pack my own lunch for work, sometimes I am running late and don’t get to it. I give myself $45 a month in my budget for eating take out while working.
And speaking of eating when working…
Getting Food with Coworkers
This one is hard! Especially if, like me, you work right next to a bunch of great food places. You don’t want to always turn a coworkers invitation down, eventually they’ll stop asking! I’ll dig more into how to bow out gracefully later. I include anything I order with coworkers in my $45/month budgeting. Most days I bring my own lunch, but sometimes my buddy Kev is like “Want Noodles?” and the answer is Yes. I ALWAYS want Noodles (RIP, Bangkok Curry).
Friends with Expensive Tastes
Having a lot of friends is wonderful, it can also be expensive. Especially with all the burdens of Adult Life, and not being able to see them very much, when you DO get to see them you want to do something fun and special! This can mean movies (~$20/ ticket alone, ~$12 for popcorn and a small drink), dinners out (~$20/meal if you only have a soda), amusement parks (~$40/entrance fee, $10+ for parking), clubs (~$5 cover charge, plus any drinks), concerts (don’t even ask.). These times out on the town are so fun! And add up soooooo quickly! I would NEVER suggest that you stop doing them, or suggest you stay in like a hermit all the time. But definitely plan ahead, budget for these events, and when possible invite friends over instead! Cook a meal together, or spend the night with a Red box movie, I am sure there was one you meant to see in theaters and it got away from you.
Gifts
You’ve been invited out for a friend’s birthday, you planned ahead and budgeted for the meal and now you realize you should get them a gift! There are several ways you can take, first, the DIY route- coupons (“Dinner on Me”, “Night of Watching their Kids”, etc.), a painting or drawing if you are so artistically inclined, or a piece of jewelry if you are so talented enough to make something like that. Assuming you are less artistically inclined, a bottle of wine or whiskey could run you a $20 dollar bill maybe less if you are skilled at choosing a great beverage with a great price tag. OR! You could go in on a gift with someone else! I’ve also used this for bridal or baby showers, getting something larger for less money than if you’d bought it yourself is a great way to treat your friend without breaking your budget.
How to Say No
As I said earlier, you don’t want to constantly be turning your friends and family away. Not only could you offend them, or miss out on great bonding experiences, but they will also eventually stop asking. When I turn someone down if they ask if I want to grab a bite with them, or do something else that is out of my budget is this:
“I brought lunch today, but let me know next time you guys want to order in!”
“Aw thanks for asking, I can’t this time, but maybe later!”
“Dinner sounds great! Do you want to come over sometime? I’ll cook!”
or just be honest.
“I already used my budget for movies this month, but maybe next month we can see a different one?”
I always offer an alternative and make sure it’s clear that I am grateful for the invitation.
Going out and enjoying meals together are very important bonding occasions. There is no reason to cut them out of your life! Plan ahead, budget for the fun times, and then feel better when you get to enjoy them!
I hope this post helps you enjoy your next night out!
Until next time, wishing you all sugar and savings,
Taylor