Save money: eat dinner at home before you go out

Eating food not at your home or someone else's home is going to cost you a significant amount of money. Even if you only pay $5 for the food, you could make it at home for a fraction of that price. So, one of the best ways to cut down on your entertainment costs is to not include eating as a part of your entertainment. Instead, eat before you leave your home to be entertianed.

If you eat before you leave home you are less likely to impulse eat. This is a good thing because when you want something on impulse you almost always pay a high premium for it as you are paying for the convenience of it. You will be less likely to stop in for the expensive ice cream when you have a tub in your freezer at home that cost you half what you will pay for a single person at an ice cream joint. If you go to a movie with a full stomach, chances are you are not going to order expensive concessions because you are slightly hungry. If you stop at the gas station to fill up your tank, you won't pay for over-priced snacks and treats as well if you are not hungry. So, eating before you go out is going to save you on a lot of small expenses here and there that will add up quickly.

While eating out at a restaurant is a fun way to spend time, it comes with a high price tag. Most people can buy groceries for several days worth of meals for the cost of one meal at a restaurant. Depending on where you go and what you order, it could be equal to a week's worth of food. So, avoid paying this high premium for food out, and instead of spending $50 or $60 on dinner, and then doing something else after, eat at home for $10, do something a little more fun after, and still save money, which you can then put in your cash reserve.

For example: If you eat dinner out and then miniature golf, your evening might be about $80 for two people. If you eat dinner at home, and then do every activity at the family fun center, not just the golf, you might spend $40. This means you still get fed, and you have a high quality of entertainment, spend more time, etc. and still have money left to save. The savings jump up even more if you do not have to pay for a baby sitter for the time you eat at a restaurant.

While there is comfort in eating out, the comfort often is short lived, and the value is not as high as the price tag. So, while it can be inconvenient to come up with a dinner, and clean up your kitchen after, it will free up a great deal of money in your entertainment area, allowing you to have better entertainment when you do go out, and still have money left to save. You really aren't missing anything as you still get fed.