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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to wonder how people afford this??

208 replies

Eurghhhhhhh · 26/08/2021 23:24

I've been out tonight with some friends to the nearest major city. We went for some food and a few drinks, very relaxed, just spending time catching up. I've got home and realised that I've spent almost £50! I'm not skint my any means (although not near the Mumsnet 6 figures) but this feels a lot. How do people afford to do this multiple times a week?!

OP posts:
Guacamole001 · 27/08/2021 07:51

I must be very out of touch. I would have thought £30 absolute tops.

IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves · 27/08/2021 07:51

At a guess, they either have enough money or they economise in other areas or they're building up credit card debt.

00100001 · 27/08/2021 07:51

@Eurghhhhhhh

To those saying it's really cheap: Train -£5 Main and dessert: £20 5 drinks approx £5 each : £50
Skip dessert. Have 4 drinks.

Saved yourself a tenner...

Eralos · 27/08/2021 07:53

@MyOtherProfile are you joking?

Hopdathelf · 27/08/2021 07:53

Who has 5 drinks in an evening? You could have one then water and save yourself £20 right there. If I'm out for dinner I either do that or have a couple of soft drinks. I'm not sure I could physically manage 5 drinks in an evening.

I’ve also heard rumour that people have different capacities to drink!

I think the majority of people don’t go for a night out on the tap water.

BroccoliFloret · 27/08/2021 07:54

As is always the case on these threads, the answer is that some people have more money than others.

milkyawayday · 27/08/2021 07:56

Thats not much for a night out tbh

MyOtherProfile · 27/08/2021 07:58

[quote Eralos]@MyOtherProfile are you joking?[/quote]
No. I've never had 5 drinks at a restaurant. Nor has anyone I've gone with. I really couldn't fit that many drinks in along with main and dessert. I always have a glass of water along with wine or whatever anyway.

Equimum · 27/08/2021 08:02

As others have said, some people have more money and people choose to spend what they have differently. My affluent friend spends a fortune on clothes and pub lunches, but recently asked how on Earth we afford to rent holiday cottages in expensive areas during school holidays. The answer was similar - it's something we prioritise.

CampaignToo · 27/08/2021 08:03

A night out isn't necessarily spent entirely at the restaurant, perfectly usual to have couple in a bar before or after. Getting them for £5 each is good going though. Beer seems to be £6 - £6.50 a pint in London since they reopened after lockdown Shock

Peace43 · 27/08/2021 08:05

Once a fortnight here and I have plenty of disposable income… just hard to find time! I don’t know anyone who goes out 3 or 4 times a week - we all have work to go to and kids, housework, pets, etc…

Mummadeze · 27/08/2021 08:09

My babysitter costs £50 so that much is spent before my night out starts! I usually spend around £100 for a night out. I can’t afford to go out two or three times a week. Probably wouldn’t want to either. Twice a month is more normal for me. I guess it is affordable on my salary but I don’t have any savings other than my pension.

Hotcuppatea · 27/08/2021 08:10

I would often pay more than that for a night out, but I live in London and a gin and tonics costs about £9 in a nice pub. Add the cost of dinner and travel there and back and its usually a pricey outing.

Neverrains · 27/08/2021 08:15

They have more money than you?

Nomorefuckstogive · 27/08/2021 08:15

All about priorities. I could afford to do that, but then wouldn’t be able to overpay the mortgage and save for retirement. I also have a penchant for new boots and lipstick, so limit evenings out to one per month, on average.

Nomorefuckstogive · 27/08/2021 08:18

Also, it gets quite boring and tiring if you do it too often, as well as being majorly unhealthy. God, what fun I am! You can probably tell that I’m getting on in years Smile

Eralos · 27/08/2021 08:19

@MyOtherProfile you’ve never shared a bottle of wine or two?

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 27/08/2021 08:19

£50 for a night out round these parts is a cheap night out!

burnoutbabe · 27/08/2021 08:22

@HilaryBriss

I budget £200 per month for that sort of thing, which usually pays for me to go out for something to eat and a few drinks once a week. I definitely couldn't afford more than that!
Yes same here and it would probably cover 2 meals out a week locally (south west London so tons of local options to eat out) spending £25 per person. We enjoy eating out (though mostly switched to Deliveroo now)
IndecentCakes · 27/08/2021 08:22

We might eat out once or twice a week (with DC5) especially right now because Mummy dislikes cooking and has had to do too much of it lately! We don't drink alcohol, I don't wear make up, have my hair or nails done, so it's a nice family thing.

HeronLanyon · 27/08/2021 08:23

Within my friendship circle many spend x4 that several times a week. Also many who would have to really think about spending that and/or budget very carefully. A few who I don’t think would ever do that for money reasons.
Different circumstances.

icedcoffees · 27/08/2021 08:25

We probably spend £50 a go on food and drinks for the two of us, but we certainly don't do it multiple times a week!

We also don't have children so have plenty of disposable income.

wannabeamummysobad · 27/08/2021 08:26

I'm guessing @Eurghhhhhhh doesn't live in London? Dinner and drinks for £50?! That's a cheap night imho.

As to how they afford it - they earn more? Have a higher disposable income? They have different priorities?

Hope you had a fun night anyway

LakieLady · 27/08/2021 08:27

Shock at £9 for a G&T. You can buy a whole bottle for £15!

I rarely drink shorts in pubs, because they're such a rip-off and the measures are so tiny. I like my G&T quite strong, and it would probably take several pub measures to get the strength I like.

I was pleasantly surprised when I went for a drink with a mate after work the other night. The (excellent) bitter from our local brewery is still only £4.30 a pint, I don't think it was less than that pre-Covid.

Mrstamborineman · 27/08/2021 08:29

£50 is reasonable meal with alcoholic drinks.
£47 for 4 drink and sandwiches in costa!!