When we go out, it’s so easy in the moment to forget any budget that we set out for ourselves. We’re having a great time with family or friends or on a date that we feel it’s fine or even necessary to spend “a little extra…” and then regret it later when we’re looking at our checking account online (yeah, I’ve been there… I guess that Nutella pizza wasn’t worth it).
Thankfully though, there are a couple of easy hacks to saving money when going out, but still have fun. Because who said saving meant you couldn’t have a life anymore?
WHEN GOING OUT WITH FRIENDS
Money Saving Hack #1
This might be one of the more difficult times to save money, so it’s best that you strategize beforehand. Friends are great at influencing us, and by influencing, I mean getting more drinks. It can be fun to order a round of drinks and socialize with close ones. However, it’s not so good for our wallet, so it’s best if you can control how much money you take with you.
So let’s say you want to spend twenty dollars with you for a meal and drink. Or maybe twenty dollars for a couple drinks and perhaps buy a drink for a friend if they serve the first round. Then only take twenty bucks with you. Leave your cards at home and make that the only cash on hand.
It’s similar to the envelope system with Dave Ramsey, which you can also do. He made a strategy where you make envelopes with categories. So if you want to spend sixty at the grocery store, you put sixty in that envelope labeled “groceries” and only take that with you so you don’t decide to splurge. But in this case, you’ll make an envelope called “fun” and put twenty bucks (or however much) in it and take that with you. It’s already predetermined so you don’t end up taking out an extra ten bucks from your bank withdrawal.
Money Saving Hack #2
Have you ever gone out with a friend or friends and wanted to treat them to a meal, but then they decide that a drink along with the meal (and maybe an appetizer) would be a great idea!
The quick and easy hack to this problem is to let them know before anyone has time to look at the menu that anything extra is on them. So if your friend doesn’t have time to eye up that sampler platter or that beer that’s supposed to complement the bacon burger, then they won’t get their hopes up too high and be disappointed (if they can’t afford it themselves).
So yes, you are hosting them, but setting up a limit on what they can get will save you some good money.
Join my EXCLUSIVE email list for money saving and making hacks!
Here I'll give you some of the best tips and hacks I have for making and saving money.
So whether you want to increase your income, get out of debt, or just some simple saving tips, I've got you covered!
ON A DATE
Money Saving Hack #1
So if you’re the man in the relationship, this one is important. Unless you as the woman treat your guy to a date every once in a while, then this is important for you as well.
Let’s first talk about the first date; a lot of money can be spent here. Many people get nervous when they think about how much money will be spent, especially when they don’t have a lot of money to offer. Will she get an appetizer or dessert? Oh great, she’s eyeing up the drinks.
This can be especially stressful when you want to make a good impression on a first date and not put boundaries on what she can and can’t get. So here’s the simple hack.
You pick where you go. If you know you can’t afford that steakhouse on Main Street, the one that costs nearly thirty dollars a head, don’t go there. Or even if it’s around ten to fifteen dollars a plate, but it’s a place where extras can be added on, don’t go there either. Take her out for coffee or something similar. Why? Well if it doesn’t end up working out, then you’ve only invested around ten dollars into the relationship. No looking back at how expensive that meal was and how she didn’t even accept a second date (or you found out you weren’t interested).
Money Saving Hack #2
Alright so the both of you have been going steady for a while and you’re pretty fond of one another. You also both like going out on dates and romancing each other. Well that’s great! And a lot of the time when we go out on a date, it’s easy to have a great time and get careless with the money. So a great money saving hack can be to discuss how much will be spent once the date location is decided upon.
So if you both go out to eat at a nice restaurant, communicate and predetermine that you’ll only spend a certain amount, or you’ll only get an entree and nothing else. It’s a great way to come together on finances as a couple.
You can also do the envelope system as well, or if that’s not how you want to strategize, then pick a place that you both know you won’t spend a lot of money at. Coffee dates aren’t just for new couples!
WITH FAMILY
Money Saving Hack #1
People might find themselves in one of two situations (or both) with family. One, you enjoy being with family and it’s easy to go all out spend money on them or spend more money on yourself. Two, your family can get a bit crazy and they encourage you to get a bit crazy yourself. And by crazy I mean having more than one drink.
The best thing you can do for either situation is bring exactly the amount of money you want to spend when going out with them, and nothing more. So the same thing you do with friends. Control how much money goes with you when you’re out. If your sibling wants to buy you a drink, then take the offer! But just be aware of how much money you’ve brought and decide from there on how you want to spend it.
Money Saving Hack #2
Now let’s say you’re the parent in the situation and want to save something. Well if they’re small then it’s a bit easier, you can let them know exactly what they can and can’t get (thank God for kid’s menus!). But if they’re older, maybe visiting home from college or with a spouse, just communicate your expectations. Let them know that you’re happy to have them and treat them to dinner, but you’d rather not spend money on a drink or any other extras. And if they can’t respect that, then don’t take the rascal out (I was meaning to be comical, but there are kids out there like that).
Now if you’re going out by yourself, things can be a lot easier and cheaper, that’s a given. But a lot of the time, many of us don’t like going out alone, and consequently, that means more money spent. So going out with a money saving strategy, whether with friends or a date, can help you out a lot when keeping the budget.
And if you’ve saved up enough money, you’ll be comfortable in your finances to spend more money on an actual special event. Something that you know you’ll remember. Because who’s going to remember going out for an oversized burger two weeks ago? Maybe your Facebook friends will if you took a picture. But if you have enough money saved up, and your anniversary comes up or you want to take a vacation, you’ll be prepared.
I hope I was able to provide value to you in this post. If there was something that wasn’t answered or you want to know more about the subject, email me or let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear you out and answer you as best I can.
Join my EXCLUSIVE email list for money saving and making hacks!
Here I'll give you some of the best tips and hacks I have for making and saving money.
So whether you want to increase your income, get out of debt, or just some simple saving tips, I've got you covered!
Chasing Foxes was started in 2016 as a way for Grace and her husband, Silas, to start traveling. However, they started to realize that they had a passion for improving themselves, and wanted to help others level up their lives as well. So whether it's with cooking, travel, or staying healthy, they want to help you better your life bit by bit, as they do the same.
