This overrated activity is the third-dumbest way you can spend money

When I was growing up, we didn’t have a ton of money.

I feel like I can count on my two hands the number of times we ate at restaurants when I was a kid.

And when we did go, we weren’t even allowed to order drinks because that would make it too expensive.

“A round of waters for me and my friends here!”

The new normal

Boy, things sure are different nowadays.

I feel like there are some people who eat out at restaurants or order Uber Eats more than they ever chow down at home.

And whereas for me growing up, eating at restaurants was a rare treat, my kids are no strangers to the inside of a food establishment.

Although we recently pared back, the kids still eat out for almost every meal when we’re on the road for one of their sports tournaments.

Unfortunately, this is a huge waste of money — and one I think more people are going to come to terms with as we head into a likely recession in 2024.

Shifting experiences

Here’s the thing: Eating at restaurants used to be an event.

It used to be an experience.

Now it’s more about shoving low-quality crap down your food hole at a noisy chain restaurant because you’re too lazy to make it at home.