To buy or not buy groceries for house guests

[lokiju]

Hell even when my brother and his wife visit we just wait until they're here then all go to the grocery store, buy what we all want for the time they'll be here and then split the bill.

Why would you not only let total strangers stay at your place for free but also pay for them to eat? Seems odd to me.

I mean I get the letting them crash part, but no way in shit I'd pay for their food.

 

[Blackjack200]

Why don't you just buy them a couple of bags of groceries for like $30 - $40? When we stayed at a friend's house in Spain, that's exactly what he did. He got us some yogurt, some bread, a half dozen eggs, some chips, a quart of milk, a quart of OJ, and some coffee. It was greatly appreciated and we didn't expect him to buy us stuff for our whole stay, it was just really nice to get in from the airport and not have to worry about grocery shopping right away.

You're in (or close to) New York City, so just get him half a dozen fresh bagels, a bunch of fresh McIntosh apples, and a few staples. They will love you for it and it won't cost you a ton of money.

 

[Barfo]

pics of guests?

 

[FoBoT]

you could run up to boston and pickup some of that bulk beef off the turnpike and feed it to them

 

[OCGuy]

I wouldnt buy them a damn thing. Except maybe some booze if they are hot.

 

[OutHouse]

if you dont buy the food, dinner time will be really awkward.

they are your guest, you let them stay at your home so yea treat them like guest.

if they want any extra that you dont have they are more than welcome to go to the store and get it. make sure they know this.

 

[Elbryn]

suck it up, buy a couple bags of chips, a twelve pack of pop/beer. its only a week, they are your wife's friends no matter how distant. they probably wont even be there most of the time other than sleeping and breakfast. buy the normal stuff, add a few extra things and get on with life.

i too subscribe to the guests are guests and should be treated as such. not everything is a constant tally of favors and "owed" things. what's a couple bucks on some groceries? if your budget is that tight were the items are going to ruin you, then you shouldnt be in the house you are in or have no business entertaining guests (make sure wife knows)

 

[oiprocs]

Just let them eat your food. Once they get sight of all the health stuff you have stocked up, they'll either be happy and eat it, or they'll ask you the location of the nearest grocery store.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: Blackjack200
Why don't you just buy them a couple of bags of groceries for like $30 - $40? When we stayed at a friend's house in Spain, that's exactly what he did. He got us some yogurt, some bread, a half dozen eggs, some chips, a quart of milk, a quart of OJ, and some coffee. It was greatly appreciated and we didn't expect him to buy us stuff for our whole stay, it was just really nice to get in from the airport and not have to worry about grocery shopping right away.

You're in (or close to) New York City, so just get him half a dozen fresh bagels, a bunch of fresh McIntosh apples, and a few staples. They will love you for it and it won't cost you a ton of money.

Indeed - the compromise was to buy some staples (beverages, snacks, etc) and leave the rest up to them.

Bagels are a great idea - that affordable staple in between snacks and food!

P.S. I wasn't whining about the little things... I'd just hate to spend money on steak dinners for a week for 2 people neither of us know really all that well...

 

[waggy]

you are being an ass. either buy more food or tell them they can't stay.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: Barfo
pics of guests?

Let's just say that I'm worried about out of control food bills.. for a reason..

That was a little mean and, I could care less what our guests weigh or how they look.. I just don't think you want pics, even if I was willing to be that creepy

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: swbsam
I just don't think you want pics, even if I was willing to be that creepy

so....
i guess live streaming web cam is out of the question?





a few subscriptions could pay for all their food

just trying to help out with ideas

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: swbsam

Wait, you live with 4 girlfriends? Mormon?

Anyways, based on you history and ex-wives, I'm betting you're older than me, and can afford to gleefully put people you don't know up. Once I'm 40 and have money socked away and financial security, sure, this wouldn't even be an issue. Right now I only moved out of the house 6 years ago... Got my first real career 2 years ago... Got married a year ago.. Got my first car just a few months before that - I've spent so much lately that, yes, we can be considered pay check to pay check...

I suppose I could have said no to their trip and told them to get a hotel room, but in my weird world saving them a grand seemed NICE, not rude.

I live in Brooklyn, NY (15 minutes from NYC). Not everyone in NYC makes 7 figures...

I have always done this...I bought my first home at 23.

I am sure rooms in brooklyn are much cheaper than NYC...I am not sure why everyone in a 50 mile radius of NYC acts like they have the costs associated with a 5th avenue penthouse.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: swbsam
Once I'm 40 and have money socked away and financial security, sure, this wouldn't even be an issue.

If it won't be an issue when you are 40, then it isn't an issue now. I know that flys in the face of conventional "wisdom", but it is the cold hard truth.

In the very worst case scenario, you can put $100 (more than enough for the necessary food) on a credit card at 30% interest, making minimum payments until you are 40. What does that set you back? It'll set you back nothing now, since you'll pay for it later. It'll set you back less than $250 by the time you are 40 when you claim that you'll be financially sound enough for it not to matter. So, if it doesn't harm you now and won't be an issue then, what is the problem? And that was in the WORST case scenario.

You can't look at your life paycheck to paycheck. You need to look at the impact on your life in 3 years, in 10 years, and at retirement. In all cases, this will have a negligible impact. You'll never notice that it happened. Thus, you can pay for it now.

That said, being a host doesn't mean giving up your eating habits. If they are in NYC, they'll probably want to eat out and experience the town. At most, you'll cook one dinner for them and several breakfasts. That shouldn't cost you more than $20 extra total. Plus, if they are good guests, they'll take YOU out for dinner saving you more than $20. Think of it as a net PROFIT for having them as guests.

 

[nageov3t]

clearly you've never read the Odyssey.

I don't think it's unreasonable to like, buy them a box of cereal, milk, various fruits to snack on, some frozen or canned stuff, and to make extras for your guests when it comes to dinner time unless they're going out.

cereal, milk, bread, and deli meats/cheese... you're not looking at a hundred bucks here.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: Crusty
Really? Can't you make a decision for yourself once?

Just let them eat your food, but don't go and buy anything just for them. If they don't like what you have they can go buy their own food.

This and FFS, what is wrong with people. Whatever happened to hospitality? Also, is she hot and pics?

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: loki8481
clearly you've never read the Odyssey.

I don't think it's unreasonable to like, buy them a box of cereal, milk, various fruits to snack on, some frozen or canned stuff, and to make extras for your guests when it comes to dinner time unless they're going out.

cereal, milk, bread, and deli meats/cheese... you're not looking at a hundred bucks here.

You're actually right, groceries will be purchased but they can cook/buy their own damn dinner if grilled chicken and steamed broccoli's not good enough for them.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: swbsam

Wait, you live with 4 girlfriends? Mormon?

Anyways, based on you history and ex-wives, I'm betting you're older than me, and can afford to gleefully put people you don't know up. Once I'm 40 and have money socked away and financial security, sure, this wouldn't even be an issue. Right now I only moved out of the house 6 years ago... Got my first real career 2 years ago... Got married a year ago.. Got my first car just a few months before that - I've spent so much lately that, yes, we can be considered pay check to pay check...

I suppose I could have said no to their trip and told them to get a hotel room, but in my weird world saving them a grand seemed NICE, not rude.

I live in Brooklyn, NY (15 minutes from NYC). Not everyone in NYC makes 7 figures...

I have always done this...I bought my first home at 23.

I am sure rooms in brooklyn are much cheaper than NYC...I am not sure why everyone in a 50 mile radius of NYC acts like they have the costs associated with a 5th avenue penthouse.

Rooms in Brooklyn are not that much cheaper than nyc. In fact, parts of Brooklyn are considered hotter than Manhattan. I think it's silly, frankly, but we got a good deal and I'm very happy with our location, but it's not cheap.

 

[Saint Nick]

I would get a little extra food. Cook what you guys normally do, and if they don't like it, then tough cookies.

 

[silverpig]

"Hey guys, how was your trip? Great, good to hear. Welcome to our house. We didn't know what you guys eat so we didn't go and get any groceries for you two. We're kind of on a diet right now so all we have is diet food. If you're into wheatgerm and tofu, you're welcome to eat with us... oh really? Oh okay, well we can point you towards a good little grocery store..."

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: silverpig
"Hey guys, how was your trip? Great, good to hear. Welcome to our house. We didn't know what you guys eat so we didn't go and get any groceries for you two. We're kind of on a diet right now so all we have is diet food. If you're into wheatgerm and tofu, you're welcome to eat with us... oh really? Oh okay, well we can point you towards a good little grocery store..."

Exactly this.

 

[dainthomas]

If you are crazy-hippie-organic-vegans I would definitely buy some real food.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Put your foot down and tell your wife no. Don't discuss it civilly or argue, just say "no, not gonna happen." If she yells at you, and you back down, then you are already whipped and a lost cause.

note: I fail at interpreting the phrase "choose your battles", you can ask my ex, lol.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: silverpig
"Hey guys, how was your trip? Great, good to hear. Welcome to our house. We didn't know what you guys eat so we didn't go and get any groceries for you two. We're kind of on a diet right now so all we have is diet food. If you're into wheatgerm and tofu, you're welcome to eat with us... oh really? Oh okay, well we can point you towards a good little grocery store..."

Exactly this.

That's my exact sentiment to begin with, but now I've mellowed my cheap ass out a little and will get a few things

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: swbsam

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: swbsam

Wait, you live with 4 girlfriends? Mormon?

Anyways, based on you history and ex-wives, I'm betting you're older than me, and can afford to gleefully put people you don't know up. Once I'm 40 and have money socked away and financial security, sure, this wouldn't even be an issue. Right now I only moved out of the house 6 years ago... Got my first real career 2 years ago... Got married a year ago.. Got my first car just a few months before that - I've spent so much lately that, yes, we can be considered pay check to pay check...

I suppose I could have said no to their trip and told them to get a hotel room, but in my weird world saving them a grand seemed NICE, not rude.

I live in Brooklyn, NY (15 minutes from NYC). Not everyone in NYC makes 7 figures...

I have always done this...I bought my first home at 23.

I am sure rooms in brooklyn are much cheaper than NYC...I am not sure why everyone in a 50 mile radius of NYC acts like they have the costs associated with a 5th avenue penthouse.

Rooms in Brooklyn are not that much cheaper than nyc. In fact, parts of Brooklyn are considered hotter than Manhattan. I think it's silly, frankly, but we got a good deal and I'm very happy with our location, but it's not cheap.

parts of brooklyn only to those living there I bet.

Seriously...