A Recent article in Forbes.com cited the Food Institute's analysis of the United States Department of Agriculture’s food expenditure data which states that Millennials spend 44% of their food dollars – or $2,921 annually – on eating out. This outpaces baby boomers who spend 40% of their food dollars on eating out or $2,629 annually.
A great way to treat yourself to a nice restaurant without breaking the bank is to dine during restaurant week. Most large cities and many suburbs have such an event. Typically, you get to enjoy a two-course lunch or a three-course dinner for a fixed price.
Of course, you are not going to do fine dining every night. Chick-fil-a, Chipotle, and Panera are favorites among Millennials. They do not represent “luxury” but are a step-up from fast-food options.
You can also recreate a fine dining experience at home if you take the time to put a little creativity into your meals. A nice table cloth, some candles, soft music...you get the picture.
Photo by Adrienn from Pexels
Bonus Tips
- Alcohol is expensive, so find a great, quality restaurant that is BYOB.
- If possible, split large meals between two people, or order a doggy bag. This way, you have gotten more bang for your buck.
- Pay with a credit card that has generous cash back rewards for eating out.
