Role Reversal: It May be Cheaper to Eat Out
Admittedly, today I was inspired by this thought-provoking article on MSN Money. I’m someone who lives alone. Eating on the run is normal for me. It’s what I do, it’s how I work. Usually its zipping through the drive-thru or ordering in. I cooked this week for the first time in a month, and it was only because I had a friend visiting for a few days.
The TL;DR (too lazy, didn’t read) of the other article is that due to the prices of foods that contain grain and corn increasing; restaurants are in a position to offer better prices than your local grocery store.
Well, they’re right. Low wages plus bulk prices equal better deals. They show some real, hard facts that prove that the cost of food in the restaurant can be up to 3 or 4 dollars less per person. You have a big family, and it could be 20 or 30 dollars cheaper a meal to eat out. Wow, that is a significant difference in your meal costs!
I love what this blogger has to say, and I agree with everything said, but I do want you to think about a few things in regards to this topic.
- Look at the meals evaluated. Most families I know don’t eat steak and shrimp on a regular basis. The one meal where cooking at home won out was the most standard American family meal: chicken and a side dish. Now, admittedly, we do have to eat healthier than we do, and eating healthy does cost more.
- They aren’t taking into account bulk purchases that we can make. Sam’s Club is great. I’ve talked about buying in bulk before, and some of these foods (especially meat) can be bought in bulk for less than what is listed here. If you have a big family, you’re probably buying in bulk anyway. It’s about being smart with where you purchase stuff.
- How much does $2 matter for one person? As a single person in her mid-20′s, $2 shouldn’t matter to me too much. It does, because I’m frugal to the point of being cheap, but the average single American doesn’t mind $2. Also, leftovers are a great thing, and for some people, that meal at Outback or Red Lobster would cover two meals!
- What about underlying costs? We don’t eat well as Americans. Most of these foods are healthier, but what are they cooked in? What are the nutritional values? Do they add to the obesity epidemic, which costs consumers millions of dollars a year?
Now, this being said, I hope that you all critically analyze what I’m saying in articles as well. Don’t take what I say at face value! I do really appreciate what is being said here, and totally agree with the basic premise. I just thought of a few things that could also be evaluated in order to determine whether or not eating out is truly cheaper than cooking at home.
What do you think? Is it cheaper to eat out than cook? Share your thoughts in the comments, have a great weekend, and as always, spend smart, save smart!
