is going out for lunch/brunch once a week as a family too much?

[7999ghkk]

Guess same as everyone else trying to manage the coming cost of living rise o trying to budget ahead. We have two little kids and we regularly - once a week go out for lunch/brunch on a sunday. We dont get any other takeaways and although I do go out for dinner or drinks with friend once or twice a month - DH and I havent been out together on an evening since sept 2019 and he very rarely goes out. But going out for food with family has become our regular. Would you cut it out? Or keep it? It seems like an unnecessary extra but kids dont like ice cream or sweets so cant fob them off with that. How often do you go out to eat as a family.

although it sounds boring to me, but some people have a lot of disposable income

Why not just change it to every other week and do something else on the other weeks

We eat out loads although usually it's a combination of us rather than the full 6 so sometimes it's just one of the older DC and me for a weekday brunch or DH and the younger two after an activity.
Easily three times a week not including coffee shops. We get take aways less often, probably twice a month.

yes, we probably should budget better but everything is also rising so fast that its hard to keep a hold on what's worth it or not. As someone said, it's 50 pounds a week or 2.5k per year which does feel a lot more substantial i guess.

If you cant manage on 120k income we are all fucked 🙄 I mean that's what 6k after tax? Even with childcare and your 2.5k mortgage you still have a significant salary even if you think it "doesn't come to that much"

So sick.of rich people on here moaning.

Depends if you enjoy it or not. And can afford it.

We enjoy it and can afford it, so do eat out or get a takeaway at least 3 times a week.

We would probably have to consider cutting back if we only earned 120k though (sarcasm)

I don't know what you have left to play with money wise OP. I think £50 per week on a much much lower salary would be too much.

However your income exceeds 100k you must know if you need to cut back?

I think you need to actually lay out your monthly budget OP - and get some perspective. You have a combined household budget of 120K - if a £50 brunch once a week is starting to feel a bit tight then I suspect you have larger outgoings that could be cut back on it you wish. Maybe alternate once a fortnight and cook a lunch instead on those other Sundays and family time can be a long walk after.

If everyone stops spending a lot of businesses will go under so if you can afford it still keep going.

I don’t like many takeaways but eat out pretty often and buy coffee out virtually every day.

So sick.of rich people on here moaning.

Not seeing much moaning, just asking a question.

Your money, so your choice.
I'd feed the kids at home , then pay a babysitter once a month & have a good meal out with DH

"Too much" in what way? Can you afford it? Then crack on. Why would you want mumsnet randoms to decide?

I couldn't afford to go out to eat once a week, but I couldn't give a newly-minted toss what you do.

How old are your dc, Op? At the age mine are at, family meals are more taxing than relaxing so we tend to avoid it. Plus, they rarely eat very much when out so it just doesn’t seem worth it as they’re more interested in looking around.

Pre kids we would eat out at least once a week. We do get a takeaway once a week currently and spend £30-50 depending on what we get. Deliveroo is restaurant prices though.

There will come a point when all you'll get will be a disinterested eye roll.

Dd is 20y and still more than happy to come out for a free lunch or dinner. When does the 'point' come when it stops?

Was told that about holidays too. But now she comes away with us AND goes away with friends! We've managed one holiday just me and dh, and that was earlier this year. Even then she was a bit put out (jokingly) we went without her.

OP - if you can afford it then it's fine. With a high income, even with a big mortgage, I suspect it isn't a big issue tbh.

Our biggest expenditures are mortgage 2.5k and childcare another 1.5k so yes we are not poor but its not really 120k all in all.

If you can afford it why wouldn't you.

I would probably make it every other week and save the other £50.

I love these “oh but our mortgage is high” threads! assuming you aren’t paying that for a studio flat in Hull, you’re fine. God delusion’

It's the thing we missed most in locked down and loved to be able to return it. If you can afford it, go for it (unless, for example, you'd prefer to invest in an extra holiday). Breaks up the relentless chores in my view!
I also think it's a great way for kids to build confidence eating out and a much better time of day than tea time (when they are likely to be tired). Casual dining is a thing now in a way it wasn't in my childhood.
You could always opt for somewhere a bit cheaper (my DC loves a greasy spoon ) or look out for deals. Or get takeout butties/coffee and eat in a park.

We get a take away or go out maybe 8 times a year. On half your salary between us though and we live quite frugally. We would rather cook well at home and as we have 2 kids going out or even a take away feels really expensive so it's a treat. We like a roast so will spend quite a bit on our sunday meal to get nice meat and that's something we could cut nack on but enjoy. I'm sure on that money you can afford it though so I think if you all enjoy it why stop!

Me and my son eat out a few times a month and I don't cut 50k. I do spend quite a bit on eating out I guess but it's something we both really enjoy. I would say we get takeaways maybe 3 times a year.

If you want to reduce costs, a simple way of doing so I think.

Brunch is a word that should be unacceptable incidentally, we are not the 51st state.

"If everyone stops spending a lot of businesses will go under so if you can afford it still keep going"

Very good point. After all isn't capitalism - therefore some people on high salaries "trickling down" their money to those below them on the salary scale and keeping them in employment - meant to be a good thing? This is what our current UK society is built on so the well off should do their bit and spend it.

Better than buying second homes or little investment properties and screwing everyone else over, imo.

Would it be nicer all around if you threw a few picnic items into a backpack and went for a family walk and picnic instead?

On take home of £120k you can afford it.

Why not?

Life is for living - if you all enjoy it, do it.