DECLINING an invitation to go out to dinner

[sun and sand]

Thanks friends. I have a lot of ideas now.  Perhaps I will be a little more forceful about having it at my house.  These friends love to eat out, however, so I will join SOME of the time and eat light.

[Sydsuds]

I discovered this by accident, but recently I too have been feeling the expense of constant dinner invitations. I turned vegetarian a few years ago and have often found the vegetarian selections at many restaurants quite limited ( or bad). I Found myself eating beforehand and just ordering a drink or something small when going to dinner with friends, so I didn't feel as awkward when not eating but still wanting to enjoy the company.

[sun and sand]

I like that---eat beforehand.

[okits]

I know you asked about avoiding eating out entirely, but if you will still say yes sometimes, how about using coupons (like from an Entertainment Book)?  When I go out with just one friend, the buy-one-get-one dinner coupons (share half the discount with your friend) are great.  There are some coupons that give "25% off total food bill" discounts, if you're in a group.  Order little (or no) alcohol and it's noticeably less costly than previous restaurant visits.  Bonus: it's incentive to try different places.

[shelivesthedream]

If we would spend £20 each at a restaurant and we invite two friends over and spend £20 on food and £20 on wine, I count that as a win. Same cost to us but we usually have leftovers, we don't have to travel home late (as soon as it's over we can just roll into bed!), we invariably have a nicer and more relaxed time because there isn't some horrendous table next door screaming, and usually the guests reciprocate at some point, saving us the cost of a meal. Basically, if we break even I'm happy. The only thing that sucks is the washing up, but sometimes we just do really posh bread, meat, cheese and salad, so almost no washing up.