I had a fun date with my girlfriend today. We went to look for our future house (man prices are dropping but that?? another post for another day), and afterwards went to have dinner, then movies. Before you think this is more of a post of how much money I spent today, let me tell you where the $55.13 came from. There was another couple that sat beside us while we were having dinner and I happen to notice their bill ($83.78) which was twice as much as ours ($41.00). This is all after almost eating the same thing. It dawned on me that my girlfriend and I really do many things that save us much money through the years we have been together. (This is another reason why I love that woman.)
Typical couple?? expenses of a date
Drinks: Mango Fru-Tea Ice BlendedR and Caramel Ice BlendedR from Coffee Bean: $8.35
Dinner: Shabu Shabu (japanese hot pot): $83.78 (confirmed by couple sitting beside us in the same restaurant)
Movie: $22
Our expense of pretty much the same date
Drinks:Home made milk tea and coffee drink: approx. $1.00
Dinner: Shabu Shabu: $41
Movie: $17
Savings from ours versus other typical date: $55.13!!!
Diving into the details
Drinks: Many people get thirsty throughout the day and buy coffee or similar drinks from places like Coffee Bean or Starbucks. By making these at home (simple if you have a blender), we saved $8.35.
Dinner: I was really surprised when I happen to peak at the bill of the couple beside me. $83.78 versus $41? What was the difference? I took a closer look, and I realized that all the differences were that they had 4 beers , and had a special large sized version of their beef plate called “King-Kong sized beef”. It was funny because they ordered this King-Kong sized beef along with a regular sized version, while we ordered two large ones which turned out to be the same thing. The point here is to know the menu, and not order anything special since anything that is not in the regular menu means they can charge you insane prices. The other way restaurants can make money off you easily are the drinks. They were charged $6 per beer (they were pretty large bottles), while it probably cost them $2 at a store.
Movie: These tickets are very expensive these days at $11 per ticket. However, we buy ours at Costco for $8.50 each which can be redeemed at any movie theater, instantly saving everytime we watch a movie. For those that really wanted to save more, they could have rented a movie from a local shop for $4, saving even more.
Did the other couple have more fun? Not really but I know my girlfriend and I will definitely retire happier than they will.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Good job finding someone who has the same (money saving) goal as you!
Nice job finding ways to make yourself happy even though you spend money. It definitely adds to the happiness of the dates! (We are weird people!!!)
Not bad. I love to cook though, so I save a ton by making meals at home instead of even going out. I also learn a lot by figuring out how to make some of the more exotic things. Who knows, maybe I’ll open my own restaurant someday.
-limeade
Limeade,
Great! When are we coming over to eat at your place?
In all seriousness though, eating at home definitely saves a ton of money. I’m surprised that not many people (especially western people) do this.
You can lower the price of your dates by taking your Girlfriend to the Starplex cinema in Woodbridge. My wife and I go there and see a movie for $2 EACH and then eat at Ruby’s for $8 each… my wife is a cheap date… I love her very much!!!
Great! Honestly we watch movies at home most of the time, but every once in a while we go out and have some fun (to keep us sane). $2 is great for a movie and that’s definitely worth us checking out. Thanks!