1. This one is for Lincolnites: What do you think of Dish, the restaurant located downtown? I’ve eaten there twice some time ago and both times I thought the entrees were pathetic considering their prices. However, I’ve heard some positive reviews recently, so perhaps management has shifted hands…?
2. How do YOU save money? Any and all tips are appreciated. I’ve discovered that I’m better at spending than saving. Alas, things must change for this stay-at-home mama.
9 Comments
kristen Oct 22, 2005 9:20 AM
I save money by getting cash out for regular expenses (groceries, etc.) once a month and not allowing myself to spend more than I have. It’s much easier to keep a budget with cash than with a debit card, ime.
Using cloth diapers definitely saves us money, but we’re going to have two daughters in dipes so… it’s something that is a big expense for us.
bobw Oct 24, 2005 11:37 AM
funny, b/c it’s much easier for us to keep spending down without cash. if I have cash in my pocket, it will get spent (what else is it there for?).
we’re a little behind in tallying totals, but we kept track of where every dollar goes for a few months, then figured out a realistic budget based on needs, goals, wants, etc. then did our best to stick to it, adjusting where needed. it worked pretty well.
we learned a lot through the Crown Ministries stuff, and their software helps too (a lot like Quicken but simpler and easier). the best part of the Crown stuff is the encouragement to pray and give all aspects of our finances to God. He really has blessed us through it. not that we’ve saved much in the savings account sense. our goal is to pay off debts, and so far so good. we even had a $3k debt forgiven recently, which was a huge and unexpected answer to prayers prayed a while ago.
(and walmart helps too. their diapers are really really cheap compared to name brands, if you go the disposable route.)
Renae Oct 24, 2005 11:44 AM
I have had similar thoughts about Dish. I’ve been there three or four times, and each time I look over the menu for a long time thinking several things look really good. Each time I have been disappointed. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, but my memory is that the food was just really, really bland.
RT Oct 24, 2005 11:50 AM
Thanks for the money tips! I think using cash for my personal allowance would be a good start for me — if I don’t have it, then I can’t spend it. We used to use Quicken, but now that we use our debit/credit card almost all the time we’ve gotten really lazy with keeping receipts. I really like Crown Financial Ministries… I’ll have to look into their software.
Nae, we ended up going to Venue. Mmm mmm good! Everything we ate was delicious and the atmosphere was really cool (something many Lincoln restaurants are sadly lacking). Our only complaint was the noise level — too loud for a really nice place. Still, I loved the food and plan to go back on another date night. : )
Dish needs to learn that a hip restaurant means nothing if the meals are not up to par.
andrew Oct 25, 2005 5:35 PM
i have no money tips, plain and simple.
i’ve only had high-priced cocktails at the dish, which was pointless because afterwards i saw ‘house of wax’ at the rave with some rowdy teenagers that threw popcorn.
that’s $25 i’ll never see again.
Lindsey Oct 25, 2005 7:23 PM
Personally, I’m not always the best with the spending/saving of money. I go on binges with both. It sounds elementary, but since cash seems to burn a hole in my pocket, I put it all in a bowl whenever I seem to have any, and set an amount I want to reach. Like right now, I want a Gap sweater. Waiting for that bowl total to hit $30 …
Dish? Haven’t been based on Karen’s bad review. But I’ve been to Venue several times and loved it. Usually you have to go to Omaha for similar restaurants.
Anne Oct 25, 2005 9:54 PM
Darn those popcorn-throwing rowdy teenagers…
Money saving tip: Every time you’re tempted to buy something, think about how much money it’s going to cost to visit your sister in France this spring. That puts a damper on wanting to spend.
I’ve never been to Dish, but I heartily approve of Venue. My string quartet played there on Valentine’s day and we got a (delicious) free meal out of the deal. Suh-weet.
TulipGirl Oct 25, 2005 11:53 PM
Biggest tip for the areas that are more flexible? Stay out of stores. If that means grocery shopping less, whatever. . .
Our biggest expenses are the ones hard to decrease–car, insurance, rent, utilities, phone. Oh, and now that I have DSL, I’m NOT giving it up!
The “flexible” things are mad money, clothes, food. . . And those things are helped best by staying away from places that want my $$$!
Another mental motivator for me has been calculating how much the item costs in time. What!? That sweater will cost three hours of my husband’s life! Makes it much easier to delay gratification.
Charity Oct 26, 2005 11:54 AM
If there is something that I didn’t intend to buy when I was out, am unsure if I “really” need it, or if the price might be too high, I try and leave it and wait a day. Usually by the time I get home, I’m thinking about something else and never go back to make the purchase.