Just this month ive started keeping track of how much we spend going out to eat. Id like to get on a better budget and try to pack lunches more. That is hard to do with playdates at Mickee Ds! My total for March was about $200. Is this excessive or more than most? Curious what other moms spend on going out to eat on playdates weekly?
Thanks!
With the weather getting nicer, how about packing a picnic lunch for the park instead of going to McDonalds? It will be cheaper and healthier for you - win win! You could even make it a standing event where the moms take turns providing lunch for the crew so you only have to do the prep work once a month. Good luck!
It's great that you're adding it up and figuring out what the total is. It's surprising how small amounts can add up.
I think this is a great time to start suggesting other playdate spots since the weather will be getting warmer. We sometimes pack a lunch when we go to the zoo, for example. Or feed your kids before the playdate and just get cookies. Start carrying snacks and drinks with you every time you go out of the house, so even if you do end up having to buy something you're just supplementing the snacks you brought. You can buy boxed soy or Horizon organic milk for outings (my kids love the soy vanilla) and it's so much cheaper than buying it out somewhere.
That's about $180 more than I spend a month. I don't do playdates with food out. I have kids here and then we eat Mickey Mouse nuggets that we get at Costco. When it was nicer we would go to the park and I would bring a picnic lunch.
Only you know what is the right amount for your family, but it's always good to ask around and see what everyone else is doing.
M.
We do eat out quite a bit, but why not save while you are doing it?
Since you are already visiting McDonalds, take advantage of uPromise (www.uPromise.com). It is a great program that helps you save up for college with your everyday purchases, including dining out and grocery shopping.
McDonald's, for instance, donates 1% of your purchase when you use an Arch Card that you register on the uPromise website. If you eat $50 a month, that's 50 cents which may not seem like a lot, but trust me - it adds up.
There are local restaurants on uPromise (which I typically earn $5 per visit), online shoppping, even coupons and disount gift cards! And the money can be put into a "529" investment for college.
Check it out!
Also - with "spring" heading our way - don't forget that play dates with a "picnic" at the park will be just as much fun with your little ones helping you pack what they want - fun shaped sandwiches (use cookie cutters), chips/veggies, and fruit snacks.
This year we started a rule, only three visits to Subway per month. With food allergies here, that is one fast food restaurant where both kids can eat. That runs about $16 a visit, and I always use a coupon from the newspaper for Buy 1-Get 1 Free.. Other than that, we probably have one additional meal somewhere each month for a total of about $100 a month for a family of 4. On playdates or outings, we always pack lunch or snacks, but again this is a combo of allergy-prevention and $$ cutting.
when my kids were little, the big thrill was the happy meal at mcd!(kids are now 20 and 14) we didn't go out for playdates to eat! just every now and then. otherwise, we would meet friends at each others houses and eat there.
