How Often Should You Dine Out?

By Melissa TosettiOur grandparents rarely, if ever, dined out. Our parents may have gone out to eat once or twice a month. Now, it's easy to eat just about every meal outside the home.  Unfortunately, the cost of those meals quickly add up and because of the frequency, dining out is no longer a treat.One of the fastest ways to save A LOT of money is to cook more at home, but, that doesn't mean you can never go out to eat again.Just how often can you give yourself permission to dine out? It really depends on your particular financial situation. With that in mind, if you have been able to create the habit of spending less than you make and are systematically paying off your debt, a rule of thumb might be to dine out just 1 - 2 times per week. That could entail going out to lunch on Wednesdays and a nice dinner out with friends on Saturday night.Deciding in advance your "Money Rules" when it comes to dining out will ensure you spend within your means and that when you do go out, you can do so without guilt to spoil the experience.