Originally Posted by Borla

I clearly stated in my post that some of the best meals I've had were for under $10.


But those were usually hidden gems, and few and far between.


I would argue that most people CHOOSE not to do it. Aside from meals while entertaining or traveling for business, we almost never eat out for dinner. Maybe once every 2-3 months. When we do, it's likely to be somewhere that costs $150-250 total for the both of us. Many/most people I know, eat out on Friday or Saturday night, order pizza, or do something of the like. If they spend $15-25 to do that every week, aren't they spending just as much at eating out? Lots of other people I know go to the bar/pub once or twice a week (or more) and spend a $10-20 each time. That adds up. So does smoking, gambling, or a lot of other habits that people choose to have that I choose not to have. I'd prefer to spend it on a handful of really nice dinners each year. If someone else chooses an Olive Garden or Applebee's every week instead of a very nice place 1/10th as often, that's their perogative. I think I just choose differently.

Yes, I do (according to statistics) make more money than most people. But I'm not rich by any stretch. I do have a few expensive habits that I indulge in, but again, I'd argue that it's a tradeoff for lots of other less-expensive habits that I don't indulge in. I also don't think it makes me better than anyone else.