New research looks into Americans’ habits when it comes to dining out and finds tighter budgets have made it less enjoyable than it used to be. According to a new poll, 67% of Americans now feel guilty when dining out.
The survey of 2-thousand U.S. adults reveals:
- Nearly a quarter (23%) say the act of spending money on a meal is stressful, and for 44%, the guilt comes from both the act of spending and how much money they’re shelling out.
- That makes sense considering two-thirds (67%) of Americans are currently stressed about money.
- While 39% have decreased their budget for eating out over the last year, 78% report that restaurant prices have also gone up during the last year.
- Nearly half (48%) of respondents say they’re more likely to go out to eat after getting their paycheck than any other time.
- A third eat at least three meals out a week, spending an average of $51.70 on them.
- They’re dining at fast-casual restaurants around three times a month and having fast food an average of four times a month.
- All those meals add up to the average American spending over $25-hundred a year on eating out.
- But some folks are getting creative to stretch their money, including 24% who’ve used a hack they saw on social media when dining out.
- Other top ways to save include using coupons (41%), taking advantage of special offers (34%) and ordering a meal that has enough food for leftovers (28%).
- Over three-fourths (77%) of respondents think grown-ups should be allowed to order from the kids’ menu, but only 21% have actually tried it.
- A third of those who did try to order off the kids menu felt embarrassed and 34% were denied.
Source: Talker
photo: Getty
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