HOW TO BUDGET FOR A GREAT STEAK DINNER
Oscar Goodman’s Steak House at the Plaza opening soon
As a resident of Nevada, I am thrilled to see Oscar Goodman opening a steak house downtown. Oscar “gets” Vegas and continues his support for Downtown . His tagline is classic: “Beef, Booze and Broads.” That’s Oscar!
Because I do live in Southern Nevada and am oh, so aware of staying on a budget due to cuts we all have to endure, I don’t deprive myself of a great steak dinner, but now budget for it so I can truly enjoy it and not fret afterwards.
How Much to Budget?
So in preparation for my fine-dining steak dinner with my hubby, I am budgeting the following:
- Valet parking – $5-$7. If you can’t afford to tip the valet, then stay home. We are a tip city and be ready to give some of it up!
- Dinner for two – steaks, sides, wine, maybe share an appetizer and dessert – $175-$225
- Wait staff – 20-25% ($44 if you tip 22% on $200) of the tab before sales tax. This is if you are happy with the service. Again, if you don’t have the funds to tip, stay home until you do.
Total: Around $288 tops
How to save money for it?
That’s a pretty penny but easy to budget for. You could save for it in one month by doing these three things:
- Cut your coffee/soda purchases in half. This will probably save you $50.
- Cut your eating out to three times a week. This includes lunches and dinners. This will probably save you $150.
- Cut your personal shopping in half. This will probably save you $100.
The Takeaway
One month, only 30 days of cutting back, and you can treat yourself to a steak dinner, support our former mayor and not put it on a credit card. I’ll be ready when Oscar’s opens. My mouth is already salivating.
Want to learn more about how to budget, while allowing for the occasional splurge? Our Money Management Program helps you save money for a rainy day while paying down your debt and still enjoying a good lifestyle.