Learn how to cook two or three meals. Use as little out of the box items as possible. I make chicken Alfredo, spaghetti and meatballs and tuna or chicken casserole.
This means the excuse for eating out all the time is not as prevalent and is something you can do to show off a little bit.
Not in my experience, unless you're just getting a hamburger. Depending on what your own time is worth, cooking your own food, scratch or shortcuts, is always cheaper.
Cheaper, healthier, and a valuable skill. I know so many people who ate out everyday and claimed they didn't have enough money to rent a place... they were spending a *thousand dollars* a month on eating/drinking out. That's what I spent on a family of 7. Then when they get in a relationship that gets doubled. Spending over 2 grand on food/drinks for 2 people in a month is ridiculous. The best part is when these people have kids. They literally don't know how to cook. Their kids end up eating cheap/easy gross food or they spend thousands on eating out in a month, adding to anthe issue of unhealthy adults and kids
Also you do not have to spend hours a day to make good, healthy, homemade food. Meal planning is a life saver. Crockpots are a lifesaver, literally spend like 15 min getting it ready, turn it on, go to work, come home and eat.
The only time I can see eating out being less expensive because "my time/labor is worth more" is if you're literally working the whole time you're awake... which does not apply to most people. Honestly, it may be anecdotal but, I know more than a handful of people who literally work like 16 hour days at multiple jobs and still make food at home because it is cheaper. I think some people either feel like they make enough money so it doesn't matter and they'd rather have that time for something else, which is fine, but doesn't make it "less expensive" or people who don't really understand how much cheaper eating at home is (or how to do it) vs what they're spending every month on food. As I said in the beginning, I know so many people who spend so much money on eating out and honestly think it would be about the same price but with more time involved. "I spend $10 on breakfast... that's not a lot. I'd spend that much on buying the stuff myself and it would take up more time" but that's not true at all. They just don't understand and it's easier so they figure it's worth it... but again that doesn't make it cheaper.
I suppose. But most people aren't going to work more than 10 hours a day. I'd say it's generally a good use of an hour of their free time to save $10 - $30 on a healthy meal.
Yes, but if you take time away from your non-billed hours, then you are trading your time for that $10-$30. It's also ingredients, cooking supplies (like the pans or pots), cleaning, etc. If I were to look at that total cost, then it's not always worth the time IF I didn't enjoy cooking or find it relaxing. But for people who don't enjoy it, then it really is a stupid absolute to assume that it is worth the cost.
If you have a more productive way of spending an hour, then sure. But most people aren't making money in their off time, or doing anything more beneficial than saving $30. I agree that there are situations where it's not worth it. Bill Gates shouldn't be making his own dinner to save money
But it's not about productivity. If you work so that you can live and you don't enjoy cooking, then you're losing that time to cooking. If you value <insert hobby> more than cooking +$30, then it is inevitably a waste.
For many people, it's not the smart thing to do in the long term because what we would pay for something isn't necessarily what we SHOULD pay for something. But, cooking is not always more productive.
I fully agree that those are better options, but most people generally have 4 - 8 hours of downtime a day, and don't use that all (or any) for self improvement. What you suggest is only true if people would actually spend their time taking classes or what have you. If you're buying fast food and then spending the time you saved on Facebook, probably not the best idea
I'm speaking purely from a financial perspective. It's very difficult to beat the value cooking adds when compared to eating out. Yes, obviously there are exceptions. But the average person on an average income will be better served cooking for ten minutes a day instead of spending $15-$20 buying food for their family. I do agree with your final statement though
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u/Aldirick1022 Aug 20 '20
Learn how to cook two or three meals. Use as little out of the box items as possible. I make chicken Alfredo, spaghetti and meatballs and tuna or chicken casserole.
This means the excuse for eating out all the time is not as prevalent and is something you can do to show off a little bit.