I can't be the only on the dis money wise

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

You might look at Walmart for Disney gift cards, ours has them. Probably Target too, but the closest one to me is an hour away and we don't go there often.

There have been times in my life that I felt that "everyone" had more than we did, but sometimes people are just at different places in their lives. Also, I think people differ greatly in how they choose to spend their money, so while one person/couple might have a huge, fancy house, maybe another person has a "better" car, or whatever. Different things are more important to different people.

We only go out to eat 3 or 4 times a year, and we don't do fast food much more than that, usually when DS has an away game that runs too late or is too far away to get home at a decent hour. It just isn't something we want to do that often, as my husband loves to cook, and he is very good at it.

I get that people are in different places in there places in there lives (sp)

Talking to dh earlier and for some reason spending money makes me nervous unless I budgeted for it very carefully

 

[MommyinHonduras]

My family is 12 people so eating out is rare. Plus there are not much choices in Honduras as far as variety where we live. When we do eat out it is under $50 for all of us. Pizza, Chinese or fried chicken. Prices are still low here that makes that work. But I prefer to eat at home. Granted I have a cook so that makes it so much easier to make a menu, buy the supplies and then just sit down to eat.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

update my mom said not to worry about the money not that we are rolling in it but it's not so much about the money as it is about I don't have much in common with them there are a few teachers in the group but for the most part it's all about there mom life

 

[low-key]

you misjudged the rest of us, we are all rich and sexy

 

[maxaroni]

I get that people are in different places in there places in there lives (sp)

Talking to dh earlier and for some reason spending money makes me nervous unless I budgeted for it very carefully

That is very smart thinking. I'd rather be that way then spend, spend, spend. You are very wise.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I told my dh jokingly that when relatives start asking what we want for Christmas we should say Disney gift cards

Ask for Walmart gift cards. Then you can use them at WM or Sams to buy gift cards - usually at a discount. Also, WM gift cards don't expire.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Ask for Walmart gift cards. Then you can use them at WM or Sams to buy gift cards - usually at a discount. Also, WM gift cards don't expire.

Do Disney gift cards expire

 

[Dumbo777]

We don't eat out alot. I think it is an extra expense we don't need and most of the time the food either tastes bad or not what I ordered. I am on a gluten free diet and most gluten free stuff isn't always 100% gluten free. I would rather just eat at home than take a chance.

 

[aprilgail]

We eat out a LOT-I mean a WHOLE LOT- if I cook at home 1-2 days a week that's about it- spend anywhere from 5.00 a person to 25.00 a person depending where we eat that night. My daughter is going away to college next month so that is going to cut back on my eating out a lot since its usually her and I that eat out together.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I don't really think it's about how much money you have, but how you prioritize what you spend. I don't eat out or get takeout a lot because it is painful for me to part with money I feel is better spent. I rather spend my discretionary money on improving my house and going on vacations. I have a friend who makes about 30% more than I do and he was always crying how broke he is and that he was so sick of paying rent and not being able to buy a house. This is a person who spends lots of money on concerts, hunting/fishing, eating out and going to the bar. There's nothing wrong with this, he seems to live a very fulfilling life with hobbies and social outings, but if he wants that house, he's going to need to change his priorities.

I agree to an extent, but you have to be at a certain level. Many people can't afford vacations or to own a house no matter how they budget.

 

[RangerPooh]

For a long time we were at the higher end of our friends. At that time most of our group was in our 30s and finishing their PhDs. We were fortunate that I worked full time as did DH (while completing his PhD). But we were aware of financial factors with our group and did mostly BBQs. These days we're in line with our friends financially. New geographic location, but friends are in professional positions. So meals that cost $15/person is normal. I feel lucky if a meal out with friends is under $50 for DH and I. If the kids are joining us I feel lucky if the bill is under $100.

 

[disneychrista]

At most chains (Chilis, Applebees, etc) dinners start at $12 - $15. The only places I know that you can get a meal for 2 for under $20 is fast food or pizza.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

At most chains (Chilis, Applebees, etc) dinners start at $12 - $15. The only places I know that you can get a meal for 2 for under $20 is fast food or pizza.

I don't consider steak and shake fast food

 

[disneychrista]

I don't consider steak and shake fast food

We don't have that here, so I can't say. Nothing wrong with Fast Food/Quick Casual. I love me some In 'n Out and Chipotle.

 

[disneychrista]

Do Disney gift cards expire

No they do not.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I guess I'm a restaurant junkie. A lot of my social life seems to revolve around eating out with friends... we tend to go to local/more casual places, so I'd say I usually spend around $10-15 on a meal (incl. tip); sometimes more, sometimes less.

 

[NHdisneylover]

OP, I see now yo uare saying you don't want to go beucase you feek out of place with the group and it is no longer about the money. BUt, if you decide to give it a go, one thing you can do (since it starts so late) is just eat first and order a drink and dessert.

I was in a Mom's group when my kids were little and the meals out were often more than I felt comfortable taking from our small budget for just myself, so I'd do the "I was too hungry to wait for dinner" and get a drink and dessert thing often.

To answer your original question, I've been on various sides of that issue. The most out of sinc i felt was when we first moved to Germany, We were barely getting by on a local contract, with a home still in the uS and renters not paying their rent on it, etc. We mostl only knew other ex-pats who were here on 3-5 year contracts and had kids at the international school. Mosth ad cars and housekeepers and flights home to the US included in their contracts plus either hteir rent here or mortgage there paid and high salaries on top of that. I had joined the book club to try to make friends (I love to read). Just buying the book alone was a strain on us financially (you couldn't get English versions of new books at the library) and after a few meetings fewer and fewer were at homes nad more and more were at restrauns. Often places where just a soda or water was 5€. Then they got it in their heads to all travel to Italy for three days to discuss a book set in Italy,and again to Ireland later that same year for a different book etc. They were completely blind to the concept anyone couldn't afford this. Ah welll. I learned German and made new friends who I could socialize with without blowing the budget.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I looked and I did not see a desert menu

 

[RangerPooh]

I looked and I did not see a desert menu

Perhaps it would help if we knew where you were going top eat. Not all restaurants post a dessert menu online. Or it might be very simple such as milkshakes.

Similar to other posters, when money has been tight and DH and I have gone out for a meal with friends or coworkers we eat a bite at home first and then order something small at the restaurant. Small could be a drink and side salad or an appetizer.

 

[willowsnn3]

Food seems so crazy in going out any more. We were treating our selves at the dairy queen. And I wanted something halfway decent besides a burger. It was the oven turkey blt and the whole meal was almost 10 bucks.

Dairy Queen to me is expensive. But...there is one very close to me and I try to only go when I get a craving. Love their double cheese burgers (twice last week) and an occasional peanut buster parfait which is like $5