Trying to save money

Tonight I’m going out with a friend. Not sure what we’re going to do – possibly go for coffee or go to the mall. I need to pick up 2 Secret Santa presents for my company Christmas party on Thursday. The limit is $10 for each of them, and I have $30 in my Gift Fund, so I’m good to go.

This friend usually likes going out for dinner, and usually likes going out to places that are a little too expensive for my liking. I’m going to ask if she wants to meet after dinner, so that I can make something at home instead of spending money while we’re shopping.

On Wednesday, I’m seeing another friend. I asked if she wanted to go for coffee, but she e-mailed me back and said that she’d rather go for dinner, because it’d be around dinner time when we met up anyway. There are some cheap places by my house … but I’m still going to see if we can do the coffee thing instead. Or maybe ice skating at the local arena. We’ll see.

I checked my budget, and I’ve almost spent $100 of my $200 food budget for December! Yikes. I didn’t realize it had gotten that bad. Most of it was for dining out, too. I know December is always a bad month, because friends like to get together. For the rest of the month, I’m going to suggest potluck dinners at friends houses instead, or coffee dates. Making something from scratch and hanging out at someone’s house is often nicer than going to a restaurant anyway!