By Daniel Rodriguez | Dr. Budgets
Here is a simple way you can save between $500-$2,000 per year: drink water when you eat out.
According to the National Restaurant Association, Americans eat out about five times per week. And, whether at a fast-food restaurant or a fancier locale, people typically order a drink with their meal, usually a soda.
So how much can you save if you substitute water (not expensive bottled water) for that soda you order every time you eat out? Assuming a soda costs about $2, the average person spends $10/week, or about $500/year, on soda when eating out. To take it a step further, a couple spends about $1,000/year, and a family of four spends about $2,000/year on drinks when they eat out. That’s a lot of money sitting on the table!
Let’s also look at what is really important in life: living it to the fullest and staying healthy. The good news is that drinking water not only saves you money, but it is healthier too! Soda can have a harmful effect on your brain, teeth, heart, lungs, bones, kidneys, and digestive system. It also doesn’t favor your waistline. Water, on the other hand, will give you the purest form of hydration you need each day without all the extra “stuff” that is bad for you. If you are ready to take the leap and stop drinking soda, check out this article.
Fortunately, you don’t have to give up soda completely to see the financial benefits! All you have to do is replace it with water when you go out to eat. Anecdotal evidence suggests that once you build that habit, it is hard to go back to NOT drinking water. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an extra $500, $1,000, or $2,000 per year? One small change can equal big results. Many small changes can equal life-changing results!
Give it a try, then share your results in the comments section below.