I’ve eaten in restaurants more often in the past 10 weeks than I have in the entire previous year. That’s not as big a deal as it seems, since in Seattle I cook almost all my own meals. Here in Anchorage, though, my hostess and I like to go to Harley’s Old Thyme Café. I’ve also enjoyed taking my muddy nephew, his little brother and his mom out to eat.
Not that I’ve completely lost my cheap edge: I often use BOGOs or other coupons that I’ve gotten from social media, the Val-Pak mailings and newspaper supplements.
Naturally it would be cheaper to heat up a can of soup. But isn’t it swell to have someone cook for you once in a while?
Besides, I’m supporting the economy.
Not that I think it’s my duty, or yours, to go into debt so that retailers and restaurateurs can stay in business. In fact, I’m one of those deadbeats who neither shops recreationally nor carries a credit-card balance.
No, I’m talking about the impact that lunch out will have on your life and yeah, on some waiter’s life.
Small indulgences
Personally, I’m debt-free and working my way toward financial goals such as a retirement that doesn’t include the phrase “Welcome to Wal-Mart.” As a self-employed writer, I need to be prudent: meals at home, new clothes only when absolutely necessary (and then most of them from thrift stores), no constantly updated stable of electronic gizmos, vacations courtesy of frequent-flier miles or discount airfares plus the spare rooms of family or friends.
Some people think that sounds like a miserable existence. It really isn’t. Even though I eat more pasta and pinto beans than anyone I know, I’m really quite happy. And it’s precisely because I eat so much pasta and pintos that a plate of chicken teriyaki is a wonderful treat.
When times are tight, even a small indulgence can make a huge difference, especially in helping prevent frugal burnout. It doesn’t have to be lunch, incidentally. You could get the same effect with a pound of chocolate, a brightly colored scarf, a can of paint to change the look of your living room.
For me, lunch out that feels like luxury. Any food you don’t have to cook yourself (or clean up after) is, by definition, good food.
Prudent pasta
Too jumpy about your finances to pry loose a few bucks for a calzone? Maybe you have reason to be, especially if you’re unemployed, carrying consumer debt or having trouble meeting even basic expenses. If that’s the case, by all means take care of business.
But if your wallet has simply slammed shut in reaction to the continuing national financial nightmare, then give yourself a reality check:
- Finances in order?
- Emergency fund up to speed?
- Consumer debt paid off?
- Plans in place to meet long-term goals such as homeownership or retirement?
If most or all those things are looking good, then for heaven’s sake go get yourself a cheeseburger. Think of it as a reward for good behavior, or as insurance against that burnout.
If lately your purse strings have been tighter than Ebenezer Scrooge’s, consider loosening them just a bit. You can always tell yourself that you’re supporting the economy.
P.S. If you use coupons, please tip the server on the amount the check should have been.
That line about wanting your retirement to not include the phrase, ‘welcome to walmart’ made me chuckle out loud. I love when posts do that.
I also appreciated your last line about tipping the server.
Great post.
Ok. I will go out to lunch today. But only because I’m meeting someone for work, not because you told me to. I think I will get a burger because I’m feeling anemic.
We never quit going out but continue our habit of uing coupons and specials. I thought you were referencing lunch because you often get the same entree for a much lower price.
No matter what, I’m glad you pointed out the tip should be on the regular price, not minus coupon.
Oh gosh, Donna, I couldn’t agree with you more. I’ll happily go without some widget or other that I probably don’t need in the first place in order to go out for a meal, particularly when it’s with a friend or group of friends. It’s essential for my mental well-being to attend to my social needs in addition to my financial and other needs, and as you say, a good meal out, one that I didn’t cook (or more likely microwave) is a lovely indulgence.
I agree with you about the lunch out. I splurged last night because I’ve been sick for the last week and just didn’t have the energy or desire to cook, so we ordered pizza (carryout though, to avoid the $2 delivery surcharge, plus expected $4-5 tip) and I loved it. There was enough left over for lunch too. Even when money is tight, I always budget enough for us to have dinner out once as a family, (usually friday) and then lunch on Saturday, plus, I treat my little guy to a happy meal or taco bell after our weekly grocery excursion, as a mini break for myself. Something I love doing, and it does help the economy some!
Good point about tipping pre coupon, I make sure we always do, and when we go out to eat, I never leave less than 20% or $4, even if the server didn’t do a great job. I think if you have the money to go to a place with waitstaff, then you have the money to leave them a fair tip. If you can’t leave them a good tip, hit fast fod, its not fair to the servers otherwise to be working hard, and not getting much.
Oh man I miss Harley’s!!!
And Harley’s misses you, Leah.
If you can truly afford it, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with eating a meal outside. Frankly, with my schedule, commute, downtown loction of work – I end up eating lunch out more than I would want to. It’s part of the culture of the area in which I work, as well. Trust me, it’s nice to know that you don’t always have to spend the time packing a lunch. Let someone else cook, and eat something fun sometimes.
Life is to live!