Stitchnripper

I prefer regular meals cooked by me at home. From scratch. I like eating out to be very high end and infrequent. I can't see paying "that much" for a burger that I can make better at home with better meat for so much less $$. I prefer to eat the evening meal at home and I really enjoy cooking it. Mr stitchnripper is very easy to please and I think early in the day what I feel like eating and a vague meal plan on the rest of the week if there are leftovers. I don't cook him any other meals than the evening one because that's what I like. I don't eat a sit down lunch so no cooking there either. I keep things organized as I cook and Mr stitchnripper cleans up after which doesn't take him long. He used to have very many food sensitivities so eating at home was easier, but, over the years, of not eating all that, he "outgrew" them I guess.
But, when we are with other people to eat out it is different than just having a meal. When the grands are here we take them to a lot of local eateries than they can get where they live.
As far as phones, I'm very old (almost 82) and love my phone and also have manners. I guess I travel in different circles because I don't have many of the experiences Iceblossom described.

Chasing Hawk

My husband and I used to have either a lunch or an early dinner out before the COVID lock downs. Last time we ate out was about 2 weeks ago, we ate at the Olive Garden. Had a really pleasant time, the tab was 56.00 and some change w/ a 20.00 tip for excellent service. Our waiter was on the ball, catered to our every need and request. The food was great, both of us had the Tour of Italy, salad and bread sticks along with our beverages.

We rarely do any type of fast food, we find it rather bland now, most place 30.00 buy us 2 combo meals. A few years ago we could eat at a fast food joint for the same price. The difference between then and now, was back then our 2 grand kids ate with us.

ptquilts

I rarely eat out. I can't help thinking about the cost of the same food if I made it at home. If I do eat out, it's a social thing with friends or my sister. I took a friend out to lunch, we each got a sandwich, chips, and a drink - $40. Same with ice cream. When my sister comes to visit we have to go out for a maple creemee (it's a Vermont thing). $4.50 each (she pays!). I'm thinking about the store brand ice cream that I love for $2.99 a carton. I guess I can't help being cheep!

aashley333

I am not cheap, I'm frugal...

tranum

Our newspaper had a story about 4 families who met once a month and cooked together to make frozen meals for their freezers. The husbands helped by browning meat etc. Cookie dough was even made and frozen for baking later. They devised their plan for 5 evening meals per week because they wanted to feed their families better than caving in to getting drive through meals. They developed a grocery list and split the cost up, of course. Pretty smart.

I don’t get a kick out of eating out very often. I like to defrost 2 or 3 packages of meat in the refrigerator then I’ve got meat ready to cook. Can’t stand trying to hurry up frozen meat.

KalamaQuilts

the ast tune we bought Ice Cream about 2 years ago our name brands were 4.99 and 5.99 for the regular 1/2 gallon. a few weeks ago Rob was hungry for it so I stopped to pick some up. smaller name brand containers at 8.99 and 9.99. I got him one but that will be the last time we buy Ice Cream. I'd rather have that money in my 'not end up in a medicare home' fund

Stitchnripper

remember a while Back there were places one could go to and make freezer meals in a group? For money. The place had selections. Not sure exactly how that worked but son and daughter in law did it a few times. They liked it. It worked for them then. I think the places ceased to operate maybe because of low participation

tropit

I love that idea! I wish that I actually knew 4 families that would want to do that. I'd be all in. What a luxury it would be to reach into the freezer and pick out a home cooked meal made by friends.

I'm the only cook in our household and I would love to go out to our local beach restaurant and have a nice seafood meal and a glass of bubbly. It's just been too expensive for us lately. Besides, my DH would never even think of taking me out to lunch, or dinner. It never crosses his mind, no matter how many hints I throw out there. I guess I'd better stop cooking so he gets the idea.

Stitchnripper

Maybe he would do better if you were direct? Men are bad at hints. Maybe figure out something to say that you are comfortable with, ike "I want to go out for (coffee, lunch, dinner) on X day. do you want to go to Restaurant A or Restaurant B?"

bearisgray

I'm still learning - after 65 years with him - that he either does not get hints or is choosing to ignore them. ( although now he is having some cognitive issues along with moderate hearing loss.)