Which One Is Cheaper: Cooking At Home vs. Eating Out?

Well, it all depends on your "diet" and budget: 

• What you EAT
• How many TIMES you eat
• How MUCH you eat each time
• What your BUDGET is

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW TO DETERMINE WHICH ONE IS CHEAPER FOR YOU:

Dining Out

1. How many times on average per day do you eat out? Per week?
2. Do you go to restaurants or fast food places more often?
3. Do you normally get things off the dollar menu or whatever sounds good at the moment no matter the price?
4. Do you usually order free tap water or pay for soda/alcohol with your meal?
5. Do you "super size" your meals?
6. Do you add side orders (fries, etc), desserts, or additional items (bacon, cheese, etc) to your meal?

Example:

Say you only eat out 5 times a week (one sit-down restaurant and four fast food restaurants, including breakfast on-the-go).

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When you eat fast food, you normally get a couple things of the value menu ($2-4 each time). You also buy a small coffee from a drive-thru a couple times a week ($2-3 each). At the restaurant, you usually get something that sounds good but also not too expensive ($8-10, not including tip).

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With this weekly plan, for just 5 out of 21 meals per week, you will spend an average of $6 per meal, $34 a week, and $135 per month. for just 5 out of 21 meals per week. This is not including all the other meals you eat during each month (about 84 meals).

Dining In

1. How much do you spend on groceries per month?
2. How many times a month do you go grocery shopping? Do you buy all groceries at once or do you go every time you need something?
3. Do you buy popular name brand products or store brand products?
4. Do you buy organic and whole food items?
5. Do you purchase in bulk?
6. Do you purchase only what's on your shopping list or do you go through each isle and add items to your shopping cart as you go along?

Example:

Say you go to the grocery store every time you need something to cook, so you drive to the local store.

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As you're looking for the items you need, you walk by some snacks and chips that look good, so you add them to your shopping cart. Then as you're trying to decide whether you want to get the Tostitos brand tortilla chips or the cheap $2 bag of tortilla chips (for the queso you made at home), you decide get the popular brand because you think the cheaper brand is less healthy or won't taste as good. You buy a small package of sugar because that's all you need at the moment, instead buying the big package for only a dollar more.

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After you checkout, you realize you just spent $100 when you only needed to buy a few things on your list for the meal you were cooking at home. This was only one grocery trip of the month.

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With this weekly plan, you will spend an average of $150 more per month for groceries than if you only went once a month and stuck to your shopping list. Buying pantry staples, things you use up often, and meats in bulk will save you money in the long run and will limit the "trips" to the grocery store for a future meal.  

Tips for ​Budgeting:

• A loaf of bread costs around $2 and you get 10 sandwiches out of it. That's 20-40 cents a sandwich, depending on what you put inside the bread. Pack sandwiches for lunch and bring to work! 
• Order free tap water with your meals.
• Don't super-size your meals.
• Don't add unnecessary ingredients or side dishes to your meals.
• Only grocery shop once a month. Plan ahead for meals so you know what to buy at the store.
• Stick to your shopping list only!
• Don't go grocery shopping when you're hungry! You will end up buying a lot more than needed. 
• Buy in bulk and stock your freezer/pantry.
• Buy store brands and cheaper brands.
• Shop at discount stores before you get everything at a local grocery store.
• Make your own coffee at home, buy or make coffee syrups/flavors to create your own "Starbucks" recipes.
• Throw a meal together in a crockpot before you go to work and have dinner ready-to-eat when you get home.
• Always use coupons for restaurants, food, and other items.
• Only go to restaurants or bars during happy hour or when they have a daily special (2-for-1 fajita plates, etc.)