In January I posted that I wanted to keep our average dining out spend to $635 per month. In the first quarter we came in with an average of $625. In the second quarter we did even better at $549 per month! For the third quarter we, we came in with an average of $821 per month, thus exceeding our cap by 29%. The third quarter included July, a month in which we tend to spend more on eating out. This July was no exception as we vacationed on the West Coast, and Cindy and Max also vacationed on the East Coast. Vacations lend themselves to indulgences.
The fourth quarter is not off to a good start. In this first month of the fourth quarter we enjoyed a few days on the west coast, again. Even just a few days at our happy place can be dangerous to our dining budget. We ate at some of the usual joints but also tried a new place for us in Carlsbad, California called Campfire where we ordered a majority of the items on the four course menu. What a wonderful evening that was!
Moving forward, the quarter won’t be helped by the fact that we are going back to Carlsbad next month. I already have one reservation set nearby at Amalfi Cucina Italiana, which overlooks Lake San Marcos. That dinner will be preceded by a sunset gondola ride around the lake. We probably should tighten our belts before then. I’ll think about that after we enjoy dinner at Bottega Michelangelo in northwest Tucson next weekend for my wife’s birthday.
Mangia, mangia!
P. Gustav Mueller, author of The Present