Friday night my girlfriend and I went out to dinner at an adorable little Mexican restaurant in the West Village. She and I both work for the same company, but have since started working at different sites. Because we worked together for several years and have the same job and career paths, we always have a lot to talk about.
We can entertain each other for hours and our dinner dates typically last late into the evening and sometimes into the early morning hours. Thankfully, (or not so thankfully, according to my wallet) this is not a problem in the city that doesn’t sleep.
Saturday morning when I dragged myself out of bed, I sorted through the receipts in my purse. All totaled, I’d spend about $80 on dinner and drinks. Was this my most frugal moment? Nope. Do I beat myself up over it? No. She and I don’t get to see each other that frequently, and when we do, I’m not worried about frugality.
If she suggests guacamole…I’m in.
Mojitos…Absolutely.
Beers at a local pub afterwards because we still have so much to talk about…Of Course!
Sure we could have done the evening out on a budget. Or we could have met up for drinks at one of our apartments. Or we could have met for coffee on a Sunday afternoon, instead of meeting for dinner on a Friday evening, but where’s the fun in that? We both work really hard and once in a while we’re going to, “go all out”.
Sometimes it’s hard for my frugal side to be submissive to my spender, but life is short, buy the guacamole!
This Week’s Standouts:
- Makin the Bacon- I’d Rather “Make the Bacon” and Bring it Home, Than Cook it
- Freedom Thirty Five Blog-Thinking Like the Rich
- 101 Centavos-Stupid Friends Are Expensive
- Sweating The Big Stuff-3 Things We Pay For That Proves We’re Lazy Americans
- Do or Debt-What’s the Strangest Thing You’ve Ever Done for Money?
- Tackling Our Debt-Can Becky Afford to Stay at Home With Her Baby?
Friends Who Mentioned Me:
- Praire Eco Thrifter-Friday Links Spring is in the Air
- Mo Money Mo Houses-Weekly Link Love & a Giveaway, All You Can Eat Edition
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- The Ultimate Juggle-Yakezie Carnival It’s Almost Spring Edition
- L Bee And The Money Tree-Saturday Cowgirl Rodeo Round-up
- Budgeting In The Fun Stuff-Weekly Favorites, Gratitudes & Giveaways
- The Random Path-Link Love:Hello March Edition
My Posts:
- Financial Lessons Learned From My 80 Year Old Grandma
- Sex & The City on a Budget
- Gel Manicures at Home=Huge Money Saver
Do You Spend “Too Much” When You’re With Friends? Are You OK With an Occasional Splurge?
Image: Ilovemypit
13 comments
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Michelle
March 3, 2013 at 11:45 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m ok with spending too much money when I’m out with my friends. It’s always well worth it to me!
KK
March 4, 2013 at 10:59 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Me too. Friends are priceless, well within reason
Tackling Our Debt
March 3, 2013 at 1:23 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Your evening sounds like it was a lot of fun. True good friends are hard to come by and you are right, life is short, sometimes you gotta treat yourself and relax and enjoy it. I love Mexican food too! Thanks for the include as well. Hope your weekend is going well
KK
March 4, 2013 at 11:00 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It was a lot of fun. Mexican is one of my favorites, esp guac! yum
Do or Debt
March 3, 2013 at 1:40 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for love, dear!
I don’t mind spending some extra money with good friends–it’s all par for the course. But I have to have that mind set ahead of time, or else I will regret it. If I expect to go out to coffee, then end up paying $80 on a night out, I’ll be mad at myself. But if I plan just to have fun and see where the night takes me, I usually don’t regret it.
KK
March 4, 2013 at 11:02 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You bet! Planning is definitely important so you don’t overspend then regret it, or worse get bitter with your friend for choosing an expensive place.
Daniel
March 3, 2013 at 6:32 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Damn, that picture alone makes me hungry. Thanks for the mention!
KK
March 4, 2013 at 11:02 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Me too. I would eat guac everyday if I could. (well and if I wouldn’t be 800lbs if I did).
Liquid
March 4, 2013 at 1:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love guacamole
Thanks for the mention. And good luck with all your goals this year.
KK
March 4, 2013 at 11:03 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks, you too! Enjoyed your post.
Brick By Brick Investing | Marvin
March 4, 2013 at 2:59 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Glad to hear you had a great time. My wife and I love guacamole and make it fresh with organic avocados, tomoatoes, and onions! While I’m all about being frugal, saving, and investing life ultimately comes down to the moments and memories your share with others. I wouldn’t regret a great night out with close friends for one second.
KK
March 4, 2013 at 11:04 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
A good friend of mine used to make the most tasty guac. Sadly he’s now in Boston and I’m in NYC so we don’t get to see each other that often re: eat guac and drink too many margaritas
Money Infant
March 5, 2013 at 8:32 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Sadly we have no good guac here in Thailand
On the upside, it is nearly impossible to spend $80 on dinner for 2 even in Bangkok. Notice I said nearly, there are definitely places that will run that high and higher, but in general when my wife, daughter and I go out for dinner we end up spending between $15-35.
And the other upside is the incredible sushi available here!
Stupid Friends Are Expensive | 101 Centavos
March 24, 2013 at 12:55 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] Honorable mention by: Student Debt Survivor [...]