I am a fan of Suzi Orman. Granted, we don't see eye to eye on EVERYTHING, but when it comes to money talk, she knows what's up. I especially like how she sets people straight on their financial irresponsibility. Our family has been on a pretty conservative budget ever since we had Jack and started living on one income. We were pinching pennies long before the economic crisis, and quite frankly, it can be kind of fun. Suzi Orman gave the following challenge;
1. Go one day without spending any money at all.
2. Go one week without ever using a credit card.
3. Go an entire month without ever eating out.
The first two are a piece of cake, but even we were a little uncomfortable about #3. Never eat out? Not even one trip through the drive-through? Well, we have decided to take the challenge. We will not be eating out at all during the month of February (we are weak, so we chose the shortest month.) I am posting this to further our resolve. We plan to schedule some fun weekend activities at home to make it fun and to avoid temptation. Valentine's Day will be a home-cooked meal. We both like to cook, so hopefully it can be something fun and different (and a lot less expensive.) So, now that I have put this out there, if you see us at McDonald's this month, feel free to mock and shame us. We would do the same for you.
7 comments:
Yeah - I'm with you. I'm not going to eat out once this month. I'm going to eat IN every restaurant I can possibly get to.
Sorry - I had to mock right from the start from my tall and spacious building.
Although now I know your home every night and eating there so we might just come and knock at dinner time. Does that count as eating out????
Good for you! Let me know how it goes and what fun activities you planned to avoid thinking about all the yummy food you will be missing that someone else has to prepare and clean up. Seriously, I am impressed eating out is my solution to every crazy day... we need to cut back for our waistlines and our wallets.
I'll be watching. (creepy music playing)
Wow...that's pretty impressive...not that we eat out a whole bunch...but it is nice every once in awhile. I feel like I need to bring you a pizza so you won't go through withdrawals! It's good advice though!
I'm with you. #1 and #2 are a piece of cake. #3? I'm going to pitch this idea to the crew and see what happens. Todd will never make it. His "work spouse" takes him to lunch at least once a week. I think Liz's idea of stopping over is a great one. To break up the feeding schedule and make it feel more "outish" invite some friends over for a potluck or other kid-friendly fare. You could also beg invitations from family and friends that last week when you're ready to light fire to the kitchen.
One more thing. Jesse loves the mini slider burgers. But taking everyone to Applebees or similar joint is easily a $50 gig. Last Friday, in addition to movie night, we made sliders, fries, and splurged with soda (we rarely drink that poisonous stuff). We had a blast and it cost us a fraction of what it would have at Wendy's even eating out on the value menu! For the buns you can either buy dinner rolls, use rhodes and just bake them a bit longer or make your own. Don't forget to toast them under the broiler before loading with your burger or they'll get soggy.
Don't forget to load up on cold cereal!!! :) Good luck!
We also watch the Suz, on occasion. So would it be cheating if I brought over some Arctic Circle corndogs for you and your kids to enjoy?
Now, I'm not unreasonable. If we don't buy it, the eating out is all legal this month. I am hoping we have some burgers at Grandma and Grandpas on Saturday as a matter of fact.
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