With the standard of living in a nose dive, few can realistically afford to cook at home. But I guess most people are in denial of the poverty the welfare state has put us in. I can get fast food or a salad bar box for around $5. If I tried to cook the equivalent at home, it would cost $20, and I’d need to have four people at the table to break even. That’s not including my time, which would be better spent.
HUH it’s a damn sight cheaper than eating junk food every night.
When I see these parents going to Publix or another store to get their pre made food makes me think they are just pure lazy, and can’t be bothered to be a family , a close family and talk to each other
I usually shop sales, clip coupons and buy in quantity. I also shop often at discount grocers such as Aldis or Bottom Dollar. Sure, food is expensive, but you can still get a decent meal at home for a lot less than at a restaurant. And you can control what's in your meal too.
At home I could make about 6 egg mcmuffins for the price of one at Mickey D’s.
I have a friend who is brilliant at saving money. (She’s a CPA, wife and mom of 3 older teens). Since our income has nosedived in the last few years, she’s given me lots of tips on saving money.
One of the biggest expenses in a food budget, she says,(from her many many years of counseling clients and her own experience) is eating out.
Many of the tips mentioned in reply to your post are exactly what she’s recommended to me. Buying in bulk, dividing/freezintg, making things from scratch. She said avoid eating out and pre-processed/packaged foods as that is what really runs up the expense. You can eat well, healthy and delicious meals by cooking in scratch and buying in bulk. Plus its fun to cook and eat together!
You're serious?
There are very few things I can not cook for less at home.
As to time better spent? I have to big time disagree with you there. Some of my most creative time has been spent in the kitchen, let alone the quality time with my daughter, my husband, and friends.
I also make some nice $$$ from what I create in the kitchen! It is most definitely time well spent!
I’m glad somebody said it.
My kids are celiacs and my husband’s typically too exhausted to care. For me, feeding hungry teenagers with food allergies on a tight budget was the challenge. The worst was the seven years hubby was a first sgt. He was deployed half the time and, when he was home, his hours were horribly erratic. He’d call, say he was on his way home, get flagged as he was heading out the door, then not show up for another three hours. By then, any effort I made was cold.
No matter how hard I tried, there was no ‘lingering’ at the table. Everyone wanted to fill their bellies and get out. Eventually, it boiled down to volume, nutrition and money.
And yes. It was stressful. With an uncooperative family, a hectic work schedule for my husband, and complete lack of appreciation, I lost my taste for cooking. And I used to adore the activity. The kitchen was my happy place.