- 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
- How many times on average per day do you eat out? Per week?
- Do you go to restaurants or fast food places more often?
- Do you normally get things off the dollar menu or whatever sounds good at the moment no matter the price?
- Do you usually order free tap water or pay for soda/alcohol with your meal?
- Do you "super size" your meals?
- 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).
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).
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
- How much do you spend on groceries per month?
- 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?
- Do you buy popular name brand products or store brand products?
- Do you buy organic and whole food items?
- Do you purchase in bulk?
- 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.
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.)
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