tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post2403586532639890591..comments2024-03-17T04:14:05.997-05:00Comments on Sam, Coffee, Money, & Thyme: I'm a Restaurant and Book JunkieSAMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-70293799983539738552016-04-24T15:01:14.707-05:002016-04-24T15:01:14.707-05:00I think we could cut down on the meals out that ar...I think we could cut down on the meals out that are just plain laziness, and that alone might save $100 or so every few months. That would make the going out for drinks and appy's more palatable and budget friendly. Plus, our daughter doesn't really like to go out to eat-prefers home food. I am happy I am thinking through options-it will stay part of our budget, but maybe not such a big part if I am thoughtful.SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-30806824646110551152016-04-24T14:57:54.612-05:002016-04-24T14:57:54.612-05:00It was basically my muffin mix I have under my kit...It was basically my muffin mix I have under my kitchen tab, but no banana, the vanilla yogurt instead of milk, at least 1/4 if not 1/3 less sugar since the yogurt was sweetened, and I probably had more oats becasue i emptied the container. I also did not put any oil-actually a mistake, but seemed just fine. Today, completely cooled, it seems more bread like, and I ate without putting anything more on and it was pretty good-slightly sweet and held a good texture. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-34514421136519497492016-04-24T07:51:57.067-05:002016-04-24T07:51:57.067-05:00We rarely eat preferring to put the money towards ...We rarely eat preferring to put the money towards trips away etc however, that's not to say we don't eat out for birthdays and special occasions we just don't do it every week. This weekend however, was my birthday we were away and ate out six times Blimy we don't stint on weekends away lol. I spend a lot on books too but now I sell something if I want something new this extends to clothes books and any other paraphernalia I want. I'm having a good eBay run at the moment which practically funded our little trip. Wendy @ The contented Cavernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12997397522566070661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-11896129000507471062016-04-24T07:39:43.015-05:002016-04-24T07:39:43.015-05:00Oh and you should post your impromptu scone coffee...Oh and you should post your impromptu scone coffee cake sometime. That cake looks good and not too sweet.slugmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12728856166374248591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-75691476703908102812016-04-23T11:33:18.240-05:002016-04-23T11:33:18.240-05:00Groupon might be a great option for you-if it is i...Groupon might be a great option for you-if it is inevitable and planned, you could at least spend less. I think since I know these are my problem budget areas, and while I'll try and curb them, other areas are/should be easier to scrutinize without changing our lifestyle or natural tendencies. Plus, I don't want to socially isolate myself at the time when I have finally moved into a more well rounded mental state, albeit a work in progress.SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-18359610190244410892016-04-23T10:49:08.049-05:002016-04-23T10:49:08.049-05:00We eat out at least once a week, and I mean the co...We eat out at least once a week, and I mean the complete eat out experience including drinks, appetizers, dessert and after dinner drinks. TheHub grew up never eating out and this is a big entertainment deal to him. I would prefer to pare it down to at least every other week but I don't see it happening. Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-77284479761683213562016-04-23T10:28:19.371-05:002016-04-23T10:28:19.371-05:00Where we have tightened up has been groceries and ...Where we have tightened up has been groceries and household items. I've had really strong success there. And while I am bemoaning the amount on meals/happy hours out, I (not counting DH and DD) have not bought lunch or a morning drive through coffee all month (that I remember LOL). As I said, it is the impromptu outings that have added up without my noticing, so a Groupon probably wouldn't help unless for a planned meal, but that is a good idea. I'll have to watch and learn how you do the various cards and might be a good idea for DH, if he remembers to use them instead of his credit card.SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-19816724872099936742016-04-23T10:10:53.640-05:002016-04-23T10:10:53.640-05:00I didn't realize until I began tracking our Ea...I didn't realize until I began tracking our Eating Out last year how much it really cost. I know we eat out a lot while on trips but all those take-out meals(which we are more likely to do than eat out really b/c I hate being annoyed by other people while I eat lolz), one here, one there, they add up and quickly!<br />Perhaps it might be worth it since you still want to dine out to find groupon deals local to you and/or buy discounted gift cards to restaurants and/or eat more strategically(smaller items, less alcohol, share a meal-that sort of thing so you spend less).<br /><br />I am not a book hoarder, never have been but I do enjoy reading and do it often. Hubs use to drop a lot of cash at Amazon and B&N on books but I showed him how much he was spending and how it would affect when he was able to retire and he's been better about using the library(tho they don't cater to his interests there). He does still have to buy some books but I've been asking him to try the used sellers on Amazon first and that has helped.<br /><br />So your eating out fast for April didn't pan out, how did you tighten up the budget?slugmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12728856166374248591noreply@blogger.com