It’s been a day… 🙃
Your email inbox looks like a battlefield, there are socks on the living room floor that definitely aren’t yours, and the idea of chopping onions feels about as appealing as filing taxes. What do you do? You tap your favorite restaurant on DoorDash, of course. Twenty minutes later, the goods arrive. Delicious.
But while you’re dipping your sourdough into burrata, there’s a nagging thought in the back of your mind. How much is this actually costing me? Oh, it’s costing a lot more than burrata should, my friend. 🫠
Why Do We Keep Eating Out?
Because it feels so good. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the moment. The joy of having someone else do the work. The escape from the monotony of cooking and dishes. The giddy pleasure of opening a beautifully plated meal that actually looks picture-worthy.
Dining out feeds more than your hunger. It feeds your soul. It makes you feel cared for, even if only for 45 minutes while your server refills your wine glass. And yes, that convenience? Pure gold on a weeknight when meal prep feels as overwhelming as assembling Ikea furniture.
But here’s where we need some tough love. That gold-plated convenience? It comes with a hefty price tag.
The Numbers You Don’t Want to See
Now, if you consider yourself a restaurant person (not to be confused with a fast-food enthusiast), you need to know what you’re actually paying.
Here’s the breakdown that’s been making the rounds online—but honestly? Feels like a bit of a lowball to me:
- Cooking at home? Costs about $4.31 per serving.
- Dining out at a mediocre restaurant? Try $20.37 per serving.
But here’s the deal that feels more realistic to me: the fancy stuff. You know, a juicy ribeye steak (Sorry, mac and cheese lovers, this one isn’t for you):
- $40 at home, with sides and seasonings included.
- $80–$120 at a great restaurant, plus tax, tip, and the inevitable “one dessert, two spoons” moment. That’s 100% to 200% more.
Oh, and if you’re eating out three nights a week? That’s $120 extra weekly. Over a year, you’re handing $6,240 to restaurants so they can plate your steak for you.
But What Are You Really Paying For?
Now, here’s the kicker—not all of this is wasted money. When you’re dining at a top-tier spot with farm-to-table, ethically sourced, locally loved, hand-massaged ingredients, you’re buying more than just food. You’re paying for:
- Someone else’s time, skill, precision, and the ambiance (dim lighting does wonders for the soul, right?).
- That ridiculously good bread basket (always better than store-bought) and olive oil you contemplate drinking straight.
- The pure joy of eating something you’d never dare to recreate at home (seriously, no one’s roasting bone marrow on a Wednesday).
And honestly? Sometimes, it’s worth every penny. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, chasing comfort after a bad work week, or laughing with friends over tapas, you’re not just buying food. You’re buying moments.
But the danger lies when dining out stops feeling special and slides into auto-pilot. That’s when it becomes plain expensive.
The Emotional (and Smart) Middle Ground
You don’t have to banish restaurants from your life to keep your finances in check. It’s all about striking a balance that feels indulgent without making your bank account weep.
1. Make Dining Out a Treat 🎉
Save it for days that deserve it, like a date night, a celebration, or the sheer joy of discovering a restaurant with rave reviews. Don’t spend your dining dollars on “meh” meals. Make it an occasion.
2. Budget Like a Foodie Boss 🤑
Set a realistic budget for how much you’re willing to spend on eating out. And stick to it. Indulge with intention, not impulse. This way, you’ll enjoy those indulgences guilt-free.
3. Rediscover Home Cooking for the Win 🥖✨
Good meals don’t have to be complicated. Heirloom tomatoes, crusty bread, a little olive oil, and you’ve got something magical. Yes, it takes a little effort upfront, but it costs a fraction of that $60 delivery.
4. Go Big When It Counts 🍽️
Been dying to try that sushi fusion restaurant everyone raves about? Just do it. Saving your dining dollars for true bucket-list experiences makes eating out feel like an event again instead of just another Tuesday.
The Verdict
Dining out isn’t the bad guy in your financial story. But unchecked indulgence can be. The key is to eat well intentionally. Savor the moments that matter, balance those indulgences with homemade joy, and never feel guilty about the occasional splurge.
Because in the end, life is better when you love what you eat and don’t regret the way you paid for it. And hey, that block of cheese in your fridge? It might just be the hero of your next surprisingly delicious, budget-friendly meal.
PS: 🍔 What about fast food? Yes, if we’re purely talking about dollars and cents, there’s an argument that some fast-food meals are cheaper. The infamous “$1 menu” exists for a reason. If you’re counting every single penny, that $2 chicken burger might cost less than roasting your own chicken and buying all the spices to go with it. But my readers? I know you value flavor, quality, and, well, food that looks as good as it tastes. If fast food works for you occasionally, great. But we’re really here to talk about intentional dining—not whatever’s in the bottom of that greasy paper bag.
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