If you are anything like me, you enjoy a good meal prepared for you every now and then while you sit back and catch up with friends and family. Unfortunately, unless you have a personal chef, most often you have to go to a restaurant to get this kind of service.
I fully enjoy the experience of going out to eat, maybe it is because I worked at a restaurant for many years, or maybe it is because I am only a so so cook and appreciate a well cooked meal.
Regardless, it is something I enjoy.
The thing about it is, going out to eat can be pretty expensive. There are things you can do, such as always ordering the specials or only ordering the cheapest meal on the menu, but to me this sort of takes away from the enjoyment of the experience.
It is also no secret that lots of restaurants give you pretty big portions. I know that at times when I have eaten the whole meal I was served I didn’t necessarily feel better after dinner. This wasn’t because the food was bad and made me sick, it was because I was a dummy, ate way to much, and was now overly full.
In an ever evolving attempt to lower cost, save money, and continue to enjoy a full life, I have began to employee a simple method to not only extend the overall cost of eating out but to also help me live a healthier life.
Here is how you do it…
You order what you want off the menu. Of course if something is extremely overpriced do not order it (such as lobster, where I live I find it pretty overpriced and I enjoy other seafood much more anyway) but for the most part just pick what you want.
When the food arrives immediately portion it into two halves. Eat one half and put the other into a carry out box. Simple. Done.
What you have just done is extend the utility of my money. If you had choose to eat the whole $15 meal in one sitting then that one meal would have cost you just that, $15, but when you get to eat twice you get two meals for $7.50 a piece.
Another benefit is that you won’t feel like crap when you do this. You won’t get that bad overstuffed feeling that you get after Thanksgiving dinner and you will be taking in less calories. Trust me, the seams of your clothing will thank you.
Now I understand this is basically a psychological trick but there is some economic theory backing the idea. Getting into the habit of taking home half of your meal when you go out to eat can further the enjoyment you receive from your money.
The idea isn’t to stop doing things you enjoy, its to try and do things smarter. Sure, you could never go out to eat or have drinks with friends and for some, I suppose that is perfectly fine. But I think a majority of people are social and although not everything costs money, some things do. It’s about making the best decision for you on how to spend your money to maximize your happiness.
Do you already do this? If so, how does it work for you? If not, why not?
Ian
The 30SS
We commonly do this. Most restaurants will give you enough for at least two meals so we’ll do this and enjoy the rest as lunch the next day. If we don’t do that then my wife and I will also share a meal on occasion.
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..Frugal Friday: Posts That Ruled This Week, Where Did the Week Go Edition
It just kinda makes sense. Your right John, sharing meals is also good idea. Your almost always get enough food and you get to enjoy eating out too! Not to mention the health benefits you get from not gorging yourself on 2,000 calories or some ridiculous number.
I sometimes ask for a doggy bag or split a dish with my BF. Carrying the actual box has never occurred to me. We also used to ask for a footlong sub in the US and eat half for dinner half for lunch, they are less expensive than two half subs.
Pauline recently posted..Friday recap, mentoring and time management
Ha Ha, I wonder if we have confusion? I usually just get a doggy bag(box) and cut it in half myself. Are you talking about Subway? I had to quit them a few years back when I went to 3 different locations, in different cities, and had bad experiences with all of them. I mean complete crap! Ha I don’t want to sound like a sandwich snob but man, they were bad. Now we have a place in town called Head West that makes awesome subs and they have been doing really well for quite a few years. It can sometimes be a little slow because of all the hippies (he he, totally joking) but they make a mean sandwich.
Great idea! I love having someone else cook for you, but you only pay once
Mandy @ MoneyMasterMom recently posted..You’ve just won 1 million dollars! No Thanks…I think
Me too! Especially since I am mediocre at best at cooking!
We stopped going to buffet because you always eat more then you should when you’re trying to get “your money’s worth”
Derek @ Freeat33 recently posted..Nobody likes a know it all
Yeah Derek, it’s kind of a race to the bottom type of thing where no one wins. The restaurant is gonna provide the cheapest food where and I am going to get a s much out of the money I spent that I can. They lose money, I gain weight (overstuffed), no one wins. Also, when I go out to eat it’s half for the food and half for the atmosphere. I would much rather pony up to the bar and shoot the breeze than sit at a table in the corner stuffing myself with more food so I get more bang for my buck! I couldn’t agree with you more!