Splitting the bill with extravagant friends

getmore4less

The great thing with most chains is they have deals vouchers to cut the bills.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-restaurant-deals

even some of the smarter places do groupon/amazon local deals or check their websites for offers.

Never go to a place without checking.
Sign up for emails some only offer the better deals that way(eg.Chef and brewer.)

Feral_Moon

AmyTurtle wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I like good food too, in fact I used to be a chef and have eaten many lovely meals that cost in the hundreds. However, most of my best friends have toddlers, and if we are going out for a 5pm tea with the kids it suits everyone, and the dads love it because they sell steaks, ribs, just big slabs of MEAT really! I personally won't eat steak at anywhere cheaper than Cote/Cau as I'd rather just have scampi & chips than eat a cheap steak, but as friends we all make allowances for each other's preferences.

I hear what you're saying. I have a friend that just likes to eat lots of food for as little money as possible so her preferred choice of venue is Meet & Eat or Hungry Horse type pubs. I'll go along but just have a jacket spud with salad or something. I hate frozen chips and wouldn't touch their steaks or chicken with a barge pole lol

When I treat her to lunch out at Ask Italian for e.g. she tends to struggle with the menu somewhat as it doesn't contain what she calls "proper" deep pan pizzas, burgers, steak and chips etc :rotfl:

maman

Feral_Moon wrote: »

I hear what you're saying. I have a friend that just likes to eat lots of food for as little money as possible so her preferred choice of venue is Meet & Eat or Hungry Horse type pubs. I'll go along but just have a jacket spud with salad or something. I hate frozen chips and wouldn't touch their steaks or chicken with a barge pole lol

When I treat her to lunch out at Ask Italian for e.g. she tends to struggle with the menu somewhat as it doesn't contain what she calls "proper" deep pan pizzas, burgers, steak and chips etc :rotfl:

I have a friend like that. We're quite up front a bout it and don't invite him when we're going to 'gastropub' type places as he just finds the portions far too small. he understands and he's perfectly OK about it.


I think following on from OPs question we've branched into what people find acceptable to pay for a meal out. I certainly differentiate between functional meals out (like when I don't feel like cooking, have to feed children, hungry when shopping etc) and celebrations/time spent with friends. For the first I'm as happy with fish and chips or a jacket potato or pasta/pizza from a chain but the latter I want something special and so expect to pay accordingly.

Indie_Kid

I'm happy with most things. But I know that if I go for a birthday meal with my parents, I'd hope for something better than if I'm just meeting up with friends, for example. (and therefore, expect to pay more)

purpleshoes_2

Where people go is often dictated by the disposable income they have, I know it is for me, which tallies with the original post where someone is feeling under pressure to spend more than they are comfortable with.

Ive had some birthday celebrations in some fairly ordinary places and had a great time. Its the people who make it for me more than the setting.

Indie_Kid

purpleshoes wrote: »

Ive had some birthday celebrations in some fairly ordinary places and had a great time. Its the people who make it for me more than the setting.

Agreed. Friends of mine took me out for my birthday last year. We went out for Thai, I think it was and it cost under £10 per person. I loved it. As you say - it's the company that made it for me.

lulu_92

Walking distance from my house we have loads in the way of cheap and cheerful meals out:

A Wetherspoons which isn't too bad.
A World Buffet - £14.99 per head
A Chinese Buffet - £14.99 per head
4 Curry Houses which offer 4 courses for £9.99 in the week, £12.99 at weekends
A pub where meals are 2 for £10
A Flaming Grill pub that I get 33% off at (mates rates)

We've got 4 or 5 more upmarket places where you're looking at about £90 for 2 people for a three-course meal and a bottle of wine.

OP - I get put in your situation all of the time by the people I work with. I save 80% of my disposable income and I would prefer to spend the other 20% with my OH, family and friends at home and we all have similar budgets.

InsideInsurance

JReacher1 wrote: »

A group of people who spend £200 each on a night out are not going to suddenly switch to a burger and a pint at Weatherspoons.

Not necessarily, there are certainly some of us that are comfortable at both ends of the spectrum, though I doubt the OPs "friend" is one of us.

Cheap and cheerful food and a few beers with mates is fine. Fine dining and vintage wines is also good. Even done both with the same group of people on the same day... though it got a bit messy by the end.

purpleshoes_2

There's a new Indian restaurant just opened a ten minute walk from my house which is good as I'm a few bus stops from the centre of town, 4.95 for a buffet lunch and 7.95 for evening buffet. Will be trying that out very shortly.

andygb

Wow!!!! £200 on a night out - is this still the MoneySavingForum?