SAHMs, how much do you spend a day on outings/eating out?

[Anonymous]

Are you posting to ask how to spend less? To see if your experience is common? To for some reason share that you have funds to burn?

There are easy ways to spend less ... hikes in rock creek park with picnics are really fun. Even if you fancy yourself fancy. New hall of fossils is free and a metro ride shouldn't cost your family more than $15 total.

Your experience is probably not common in DC where public transit is available and even if you drive, parking shouldn't be more than $20.

If you want others to know you spend lots, okay. We got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wasn’t in our budget when I sah, so there was no Starbucks run (fill their water bottles, bring my own coffee from home, pack snacks). Library, nature centers, Barnes and Noble. Heck we visited the pet stores more often than I care to admit. All free. There’s a lot of random kids concerts if you look hard enough.

Here’s a tip—while it may be easier now to get them out of the house to do super fun things every day, as they get older they are less likely to be content with the everyday. They will need constant “fun fun fun” in order to be happy and boredom will be painful to them. Try and have a few days at home, with things like backyard time and reading time and sure some screens. But don’t make every day a trip to the movies/circus/puppet show or you’re setting them up.

Umm. You do know there is a free zoo that you can visit right?

Of course. But it is a 45-50 minute drive traffic depending. So it’s an all day venture for us, and the pet store is 2 miles away and we don’t have to earmark the whole day for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably spend on average $100 per day on a mix of admissions and meals. Some days are more and others are less. I have 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool. Of course we spend less during school but in the summer I feel like the summer outings add up.

$100 PER DAY??

Doing what?

I could blow that easily, just on food. Stop at Starbucks with a drink for everyone is 20 alone. Add in lunch at sit down places for four and you have at least another 50.00. That doesn’t include any activities. If OP is not a troll, I think they may just rely on outside factors to run their day, which can be wicked expensive.

What do kids get a Starbucks? I stop to get hot or cold coffee on a regular basis, but don't get anything for my toddler. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but I can't really imagine buying my kid one of those sugary frozen drinks. Rather just take him to get good ice cream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably spend on average $100 per day on a mix of admissions and meals. Some days are more and others are less. I have 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool. Of course we spend less during school but in the summer I feel like the summer outings add up.

$100 PER DAY??

Doing what?

I could blow that easily, just on food. Stop at Starbucks with a drink for everyone is 20 alone. Add in lunch at sit down places for four and you have at least another 50.00. That doesn’t include any activities. If OP is not a troll, I think they may just rely on outside factors to run their day, which can be wicked expensive.

What do kids get a Starbucks? I stop to get hot or cold coffee on a regular basis, but don't get anything for my toddler. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but I can't really imagine buying my kid one of those sugary frozen drinks. Rather just take him to get good ice cream.

No: some of us have older children, not toddlers, and Starbucks sells more than Frappuccinos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably spend on average $100 per day on a mix of admissions and meals. Some days are more and others are less. I have 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool. Of course we spend less during school but in the summer I feel like the summer outings add up.

$100 PER DAY??

Doing what?

I could blow that easily, just on food. Stop at Starbucks with a drink for everyone is 20 alone. Add in lunch at sit down places for four and you have at least another 50.00. That doesn’t include any activities. If OP is not a troll, I think they may just rely on outside factors to run their day, which can be wicked expensive.

What do kids get a Starbucks? I stop to get hot or cold coffee on a regular basis, but don't get anything for my toddler. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but I can't really imagine buying my kid one of those sugary frozen drinks. Rather just take him to get good ice cream.

No: some of us have older children, not toddlers, and Starbucks sells more than Frappuccinos.

True. But you’re teaching your child to have to constantly consume. Consume, consume, consume. This kind of behavior isn’t sustainable for most kids when they graduate college. Unless you have a trust fund. It’s also bad for the environment t.

[Anonymous]

Lol, what? I'm on my 4th year as a SAHM and I can easily go a whole week at a time without spending anything on outings. I bring a few snacks and we do free things or they run errands with me. Our pool costs $1200 a season, we do have that.

My husband is notorious for this. I think he does it to make up for the fact that he works so much. He regularly spends $100 on them per day on the weekends. It drives me mad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably spend on average $100 per day on a mix of admissions and meals. Some days are more and others are less. I have 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool. Of course we spend less during school but in the summer I feel like the summer outings add up.

$100 PER DAY??

Doing what?

I could blow that easily, just on food. Stop at Starbucks with a drink for everyone is 20 alone. Add in lunch at sit down places for four and you have at least another 50.00. That doesn’t include any activities. If OP is not a troll, I think they may just rely on outside factors to run their day, which can be wicked expensive.

What do kids get a Starbucks? I stop to get hot or cold coffee on a regular basis, but don't get anything for my toddler. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but I can't really imagine buying my kid one of those sugary frozen drinks. Rather just take him to get good ice cream.

No: some of us have older children, not toddlers, and Starbucks sells more than Frappuccinos.

True. But you’re teaching your child to have to constantly consume. Consume, consume, consume. This kind of behavior isn’t sustainable for most kids when they graduate college. Unless you have a trust fund. It’s also bad for the environment t.

PP: constantly consume? My child has an iced tea lemonade once a week, I’m ok with that amount of consumption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably spend on average $100 per day on a mix of admissions and meals. Some days are more and others are less. I have 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool. Of course we spend less during school but in the summer I feel like the summer outings add up.

$100 PER DAY??

Doing what?

I could blow that easily, just on food. Stop at Starbucks with a drink for everyone is 20 alone. Add in lunch at sit down places for four and you have at least another 50.00. That doesn’t include any activities. If OP is not a troll, I think they may just rely on outside factors to run their day, which can be wicked expensive.

What do kids get a Starbucks? I stop to get hot or cold coffee on a regular basis, but don't get anything for my toddler. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but I can't really imagine buying my kid one of those sugary frozen drinks. Rather just take him to get good ice cream.

Obviously I was referring to the $100 a day people!
No: some of us have older children, not toddlers, and Starbucks sells more than Frappuccinos.

True. But you’re teaching your child to have to constantly consume. Consume, consume, consume. This kind of behavior isn’t sustainable for most kids when they graduate college. Unless you have a trust fund. It’s also bad for the environment t.

PP: constantly consume? My child has an iced tea lemonade once a week, I’m ok with that amount of consumption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably spend on average $100 per day on a mix of admissions and meals. Some days are more and others are less. I have 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool. Of course we spend less during school but in the summer I feel like the summer outings add up.

$100 PER DAY??

Doing what?

I could blow that easily, just on food. Stop at Starbucks with a drink for everyone is 20 alone. Add in lunch at sit down places for four and you have at least another 50.00. That doesn’t include any activities. If OP is not a troll, I think they may just rely on outside factors to run their day, which can be wicked expensive.

What do kids get a Starbucks? I stop to get hot or cold coffee on a regular basis, but don't get anything for my toddler. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but I can't really imagine buying my kid one of those sugary frozen drinks. Rather just take him to get good ice cream.

No: some of us have older children, not toddlers, and Starbucks sells more than Frappuccinos.

True. But you’re teaching your child to have to constantly consume. Consume, consume, consume. This kind of behavior isn’t sustainable for most kids when they graduate college. Unless you have a trust fund. It’s also bad for the environment t.

PP: constantly consume? My child has an iced tea lemonade once a week, I’m ok with that amount of consumption.

I think the comment was more directed at Op. A day can’t be fun unless $100+ is spent. It’s a bad precedent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably spend on average $100 per day on a mix of admissions and meals. Some days are more and others are less. I have 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool. Of course we spend less during school but in the summer I feel like the summer outings add up.

$100 PER DAY??

Doing what?

I could blow that easily, just on food. Stop at Starbucks with a drink for everyone is 20 alone. Add in lunch at sit down places for four and you have at least another 50.00. That doesn’t include any activities. If OP is not a troll, I think they may just rely on outside factors to run their day, which can be wicked expensive.

What do kids get a Starbucks? I stop to get hot or cold coffee on a regular basis, but don't get anything for my toddler. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but I can't really imagine buying my kid one of those sugary frozen drinks. Rather just take him to get good ice cream.

My husband drinks Starbucks coffee every day (addicted to that stuff) and when he was taking care of the kids, would take them with him and buy them the overpriced cookies they sell. A box of the same madeleine cookies is just $5 at Safeway and at Starbucks you get a 2 pack for $2.50. Our Safeway and Starbucks are in the same shopping center. Really annoyed me so much.

[Anonymous]

As to the OP's question - maybe $25 a week. We engage in other activities that are free. Kids play with neighborhood kids, go to the pool, summer movies, playground etc. The only big amount we spent on was on a day trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably spend on average $100 per day on a mix of admissions and meals. Some days are more and others are less. I have 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool. Of course we spend less during school but in the summer I feel like the summer outings add up.

$100 PER DAY??

Doing what?

I could blow that easily, just on food. Stop at Starbucks with a drink for everyone is 20 alone. Add in lunch at sit down places for four and you have at least another 50.00. That doesn’t include any activities. If OP is not a troll, I think they may just rely on outside factors to run their day, which can be wicked expensive.

What do kids get a Starbucks? I stop to get hot or cold coffee on a regular basis, but don't get anything for my toddler. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but I can't really imagine buying my kid one of those sugary frozen drinks. Rather just take him to get good ice cream.

My husband drinks Starbucks coffee every day (addicted to that stuff) and when he was taking care of the kids, would take them with him and buy them the overpriced cookies they sell. A box of the same madeleine cookies is just $5 at Safeway and at Starbucks you get a 2 pack for $2.50. Our Safeway and Starbucks are in the same shopping center. Really annoyed me so much.

The baked goods at Starbucks and Peets (and other chains) always look so stale. I obviously understand why a kid would want a cookie or a frozen drink, but I still would prefer to take them to a place where the food is slightly better quality (or local) or at simply purchase the same stuff at the grocery store like you said. I suppose by the time I pack fresh berries, watermelon, cheese, and sandwiches for an outing, I've probably spent the same amount as a Starbucks or Chik-Fil-A trip.

That's just a personal preference though! I think as long as children are grateful for treats then who really cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably spend on average $100 per day on a mix of admissions and meals. Some days are more and others are less. I have 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool. Of course we spend less during school but in the summer I feel like the summer outings add up.

$100 PER DAY??

Doing what?

I could blow that easily, just on food. Stop at Starbucks with a drink for everyone is 20 alone. Add in lunch at sit down places for four and you have at least another 50.00. That doesn’t include any activities. If OP is not a troll, I think they may just rely on outside factors to run their day, which can be wicked expensive.

What do kids get a Starbucks? I stop to get hot or cold coffee on a regular basis, but don't get anything for my toddler. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but I can't really imagine buying my kid one of those sugary frozen drinks. Rather just take him to get good ice cream.

NP here. My kid loves their dragon tea. It’s an iced tea with berries on top. It’s a hibiscus herbal tea with vibrant colors and it actually tastes pretty good!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably spend on average $100 per day on a mix of admissions and meals. Some days are more and others are less. I have 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool. Of course we spend less during school but in the summer I feel like the summer outings add up.

$100 PER DAY??

Doing what?

I could blow that easily, just on food. Stop at Starbucks with a drink for everyone is 20 alone. Add in lunch at sit down places for four and you have at least another 50.00. That doesn’t include any activities. If OP is not a troll, I think they may just rely on outside factors to run their day, which can be wicked expensive.

What do kids get a Starbucks? I stop to get hot or cold coffee on a regular basis, but don't get anything for my toddler. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but I can't really imagine buying my kid one of those sugary frozen drinks. Rather just take him to get good ice cream.

NP here. My kid loves their dragon tea. It’s an iced tea with berries on top. It’s a hibiscus herbal tea with vibrant colors and it actually tastes pretty good!

Good to know! I don't drink iced tea so I've never noticed it before. I feel bad for assuming everyone was chugging those unicorn drinks.