Time warp... Restaurants?!?

As many of you know, I moonlight as a bartender.  All too often, I talk with customers that complain about how rushed they are for time, and that they constantly find themselves spending boatloads of dollars on fast food, and restaurant eating, without feeling satisfied and still feeling rushed.  
How much do you really gain from going out to dinner?  Maybe going out to eat is part of your life style and works for you... if that's the case, don't change it.  If you are always feeling that you are pressed for time and not feeling like you are eating healthy enough... well, read on my curious friend! 
Things you will need to take into consideration when weighing the pros and cons of restaurant eating versus home style dinners; are you driving long distances to go out to eat?  If you house your boat at a marina and there is a restaurant on site, of course you are going to frequent that establishment- it's convenient.  If you are driving over 7 miles to a restaurant, you need to take into account the time spend in the car, and the gas used to get there. 
Is there always a wait?  Do you visit the most popular restaurants in your area?  Places like the Olive Garden are famous for always having a wait.  If you are in a hurry, the last thing you have time to do is sit around and wait for a table, and then sit around and wait for your food to be ready!  I've always had great luck trying out smaller, independent restaurants; and it feels good to support my small local businesses!  Try calling ahead, or making a reservation- if places don't take reservations, it's usually because they are always busy.
Are you being served?  When you sit at the bar, or at a table and have a server,  you should plan on giving 18-20% of the bill to the server as a tip. This is something to consider when you are weighing your wallet in restaurant vs. grocery store receipts. 
Did you save room for dessert?  I generally never save room for dessert- though I always mean to.  The double edge sword of a restaurant, is that it is a one stop shop.  You can go and have an appetizer, your choice of meal, and now they are offering you a dessert?!  The best part of restaurant eating though, is that 3 plates, 2 glasses, silverware, and several dirty pots and pans later and you don't have to clean a thing!
Consider all of these variables when you are thinking about what to have for dinner tomorrow night... is it just as quick to go and get a fried chicken sandwich as it is to hit the grocery store and prepare baked chicken? 

Stacy Mafera
703 304 4067
www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz