My partner and I love dining out, but prices have skyrocketed. This month, our food expenses have increased significantly. While we were sitting and talking, I suggested a more budget-friendly “daily meal” plan, but he says, “Let’s eat at quality places occasionally, but let it be unforgettable.” How would you make a decision in such a situation?
6 Answers
6I think you’re right. When people keep eating out and wasting money, they don’t even realize what they’re eating. For example, my spouse and I would go out once a week, and on the other days we would make things like ‘student meals’ at home. I would make lentil soup, pasta, and in the winter, olive oil dishes. It’s both healthy and budget-friendly.
But now I’m going to say something. Why does your mind get confused when your partner says “high-quality places”? I think the guy is right. Always calculating and budgeting kills the romance. When you occasionally make a special plan like that, your relationship will be different too. I wouldn’t worry too much about the price 
Actually, both of your suggestions have some validity. I recommend that you put your budget into a table, listing your salary and fixed expenses. Once you have a clear figure for what you can allocate for food, you can make a plan like, “for example, we will go to a nice place once a month and stay home the rest of the week.” This also provides a solid basis for the joint decision.
Let me add this, actually I’m not bothered at all by daily meals or anything. In fact, I love cooking at home. I enjoy it even more when I prepare it myself. But for example, my girlfriend said the other day, ‘What good is it if I can’t take you to a nice place one day?’ I think she’s in pursuit of creating more special moments.
I’ll talk like a total student, but do you know what we’re doing? We go out with friends once a month and ‘skip’ the rest, you know? It’s fun and you save money. I think you can balance it by going out one day and staying in with your partner the next. For example, when it comes to sushi situations, I said it’s worth going out.
Wait a minute, is the main issue here money or the feeling that your partner insists on making it “my choice”? Because what you wrote gives off that vibe. It comes off to me as a bit of “being too attached to one’s ego.” What’s the deal with needing to say “special place” all the time? Is it about wanting the neighbors to see?