But while there's certainly nothing wrong with indulging every so often, it seems as though Americans are taking the concept of eating out to an extreme. However, keep in mind that this doesn't include interest on consumer debts like credit cards or gifts, so this isn't necessarily the amount of money that the average household saves. Grocery spending, by contrast, increased just $44 per household to $4,015. However, what you save in convenience , you … Imagine that instead of wasting $2,000 a year on restaurants and takeout, you invest that money and generate an average annual 8% return. $400 Invested in this ETF Monthly Can Double Your Retirement Income, 5 Ways You Can Cost Yourself Social Security Benefits, Copyright, Trademark and Patent Information. Her goal is to make financial topics interesting (because they often aren't) and she believes that a healthy dose of sarcasm never hurt anyone. Founded in 1993 by brothers Tom and David Gardner, The Motley Fool helps millions of people attain financial freedom through our website, podcasts, books, newspaper column, radio show, and premium investing services. What Is the DDM (Dividend Discount Model)? The average household spends an average of $3,008 per year on dining out, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Most people need three to six months' worth of living expenses in an accessible savings account, but if you have variable income or multiple dependents, it pays to aim even higher. Founded in 1993 by brothers Tom and David Gardner, The Motley Fool helps millions of people attain financial freedom through our website, podcasts, books, newspaper column, radio show, and premium investing services. In fact, when you add up … After 20 years, you'd have an extra $91,000 for retirement. Remember, too, that you don't have to cut out restaurant meals entirely to make a difference in your finances. From 2015 to 2016, for the first time in history, Americans spent more money at bars and restaurants ($54.857 billion) than they did on groceries ($52.503 billion). Cumulative Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Stock Advisor, How Does the Average American Spend Their Paycheck? What Is the DDM (Dividend Discount Model)? If you're behind on emergency savings, cutting back on restaurant and takeout meals could be an easy step to help bridge that gap. Cumulative Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Stock Advisor, Here's What the Average American Spends on Restaurants and Takeout @themotleyfool #stocks, 69% of Americans now have less than $1,000 in a savings account, How to Go From Broke to $1 Million in Only 20 Years. But there's a big difference between buying groceries and paying for restaurant meals and takeout. Follow him on Twitter to keep up with his latest work! We all love a good restaurant meal, and there's something to be said about feasting on delicacies without having to do an ounce of cooking or cleanup yourself. Returns as of 10/15/2020. $400 Invested in this ETF Monthly Can Double Your Retirement Income, 5 Ways You Can Cost Yourself Social Security Benefits, Copyright, Trademark and Patent Information. Returns as of 10/15/2020. Maurie Backman is a personal finance writer who's passionate about educating others. The average American household's pre-tax income is nearly $75,000, but not surprisingly, most of this amount gets spent. Including non-cash sources, such as the principal paid on owned property and increases in market value of owned homes, the average household's net worth increased by $8,721 in 2016. Of course, we all need to eat, which means food must account for a portion of our monthly spending. This includes wages and salaries, as well as income from self-employment, Social Security and other retirement sources, interest, dividends, rental income, and more. The average American household's pre-tax income is nearly $75,000, but not surprisingly, most of this amount gets spent. Rather, they're becoming the norm. Market data powered by FactSet and Web Financial Group. Finally, think about what that extra money might do for your retirement savings. The average American household brings in a yearly income of $74,664 before taxes, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) 2016 Consumer Expenditure Survey, the latest full year for which finalized data is available. Eliminating just two or three meals a month could put $1,000 back in your pocket over the course of a year. This is $3,365 for dining out instead of cooking at home and lowering this budget item. Matt is a Certified Financial Planner based in South Carolina who has been writing for The Motley Fool since 2012. How do your spending habits compare? Matt specializes in writing about bank stocks, REITs, and personal finance, but he loves any investment at the right price. And our finances are hurting as a result. However, this can be used as a guide to identify areas where you're spending much more than the average American when you're formulating a budget and trying to keep your expenditures under control. Stock Advisor launched in February of 2002. In fact, Americans eat out 5.9 times a week on average — and it can get costly. Market data powered by FactSet and Web Financial Group. First of all, no matter how much you earn, it's crucial to have an emergency fund so you're prepared for the unexpected. Most food establishments charge a 300% markup on the items they serve. Recent data reveal that 69% of Americans now have less than $1,000 in a savings account. @themotleyfool #stocks, How to Go From Broke to $1 Million in Only 20 Years. By the time that debt is wiped out, you'll have wasted $675 on interest charges. Secondly, if you're carrying credit card debt, lowering your dining costs could help you pay off your balance sooner -- and that's a move that can save you money on interest charges over time. And while data from previous years still show grocery sales edging out restaurants and takeout, that shrinking margin points to a serious spending problem among consumers. And since eating at home more often will probably be better for your health, it's a move that will benefit you in more ways than one. With that in mind, here's a breakdown of where the average American's income goes, and how much is left to save, invest, and pay down debt. Some categories, such as "tobacco products and services," are self-explanatory, but others are broader and include several different subcategories and expense types you may be surprised about, so I've added some comments where necessary: If we subtract all of these expenditures from the average household's $74,664 annual pre-tax income, we find that there's $6,863 left over.

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