As I have said so many times, eating out can really cost you a lot of money in a year. I don’t think I can say it enough. I’ve talked about to check calculations and compare the real savings of eating home versus eating out. So many times, it seems that we eat out not as a treat or as something planned, but because we are tired, don’t feel like cooking, are too busy or think it will take less time.
Let’s take that last reason, of eating out as taking less time. We may think it will, but isn’t getting everyone ready and in the car, driving to a restaurant, getting seated, ordering from the menu, waiting for the food, paying the bill, getting everyone back in the car and driving home take a lot of time?
Compare that to taking 30 minutes to prepare a meal and five minutes to clean up. Or, heat up something already prepared in five minutes? You get the idea.
So let’s look at some of the ways we can reduce the temptation of eating out.
Freezer meals
Have some freezer meals already prepared. Even frozen dinners, while expensive in my book, can be a frugal alternative to eating out. Freezer meals are wonderful when you are ill.
Pack a cooler
Keep a cooler in the car and ready to go. When you head out on errands or a long trip, throw in some ice and a quick lunch or snacks. Find a scenic spot or eat in the car.
Use your crock pot
Too busy to cook after church and before other activities? Throw something in the crock pot before you leave. It will only take 10 minutes at the most and you’ll have a hot meal all ready when you are.
Lunch fixings
Have lunch meat, cheeses, fruit, yogurts or other quick and easy things that can be used for lunch or even dinner when you are pressed for time or ideas.
Keep it simple
There is nothing wrong with having a grilled cheese and tomato soup from a can for dinner, if you are too tired or uninspired. Pancakes and bacon are another easy dinner to prepare, and kids love having breakfast for dinner.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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