[WalterBright]

A lot of people overspend their income because they're eating out. Restaurants are an extremely expensive way to get fed. Even a quarter pounder at McD's is $6, but I can get a half pound of good steak from the supermarket for $2. My drip coffee costs me $.03 per cup, compared to $4 at Starbucks. You can fry yourself 3 eggs for $.50.

[kamaal]

Not sure where I read this, but there was some article about the top skills you can learn that can help you save up money. Cooking was the top skill.

Apart from the upfront restaurant bills, also you can save money health wise on the longer run.

[hnick]

I'd personally file it under the entertainment budget too. It's fun!

[magduf]

Part of the problem here is that restaurants in America are extremely expensive. It's cheaper to eat out in other industrialized nations in my experience. Worse, they try to hide the prices from you by not including tax in the advertised price, and also expecting a "tip" for the service because they don't pay their servers.