For you, it is more expensive to eat out everyday, or to cook everyday?

Question

I live on my own. I've crunched the numbers many times, and it's always cheaper to eat out than to cook at home.

I've tried buying groceries, but every time I end up spending more than I would have if I had eaten out.

I only eat out once per day. I have a cereal for breakfast and dinner. A non-fast-food that's decent will cost me like 10 dollars.

This makes me spend like 50 dollars on weekdays, which is less than buying groceries for the week, and cooking myself.

Some people tell me sometimes I should cook myself to save money. But everytime I've tried, I always end up spending more money at the supermarket buying groceries.

I heard this depends on what city you are living at.

What's cheaper in your town?

Answer 1

To everyone who decided on eating in instead of exterior dining: you guys must be smoking crack. 0)0

Answer 2

For my family, eating in is cheaper. But even that is expensive - my family eats a lot. All four of us are thin & fit - you would not believe the amount of food we consume. I spend around $200 at the grocery store every five days or so. That doesn't even include the monthly trip to the wholesale club. I don't buy junky processed food, either - we eat healthy. If we dine out, my husband and son have been known to order two dishes each because they are still hungry. One meal out at a crappy chain restaurant is a minimum of $75.00 for 4 of us. (no alcohol) I would love to know what "Boysmom" cooks that lasts her family several days! Please share! We polish off a lasagna in one sitting....

We live in Jersey.

Answer 3

I've wondered the same thing. My problem is that even when I run to the store for a few things, I end up spending like $50. The thing about cooking for one or two, is that you end up buying food that goes to waste. Unless you're content with ramen noodles and frozen vegetables, I'd say eating out is cheaper.

Answer 4

For me it is much cheaper to cook at home (Houston). I usually only spend 40 to 50 dollars a week to get groceries including stables like laundry detergent and paper towels. This number is for 3 meals a day as I pack my lunch.

Another factor that may be drive the cost for you up might be what you are buying. I am usually only buy the vegetables and fruits that are in season and cheap and only buy meat that is on sale(stocking up and freezing individual packets of meat makes things very cheap).  I find people that go in with a list or meals for the week end up spending more b/c they have to buy things whereas I go into the store, see what is fresh/on sale and make a meal plan based on that data.

Answer 5

For me it's much cheaper to buy groceries.  I love to cook and I've found lots of ways to make awesome meals that will last my entire family two or three days, so I only end up cooking dinner every two or three nights.  I spend less around $50-$100 a week for four people in my family.  That includes breakfast lunch and dinner, and the food is awesome.

Answer 6

When you go shopping its going to cost a little more but the key isnt to buy one meal at a time its to buy like a case of burgers or something that may seam expensive but 40 burgers for 20 bucks 15 bucks for rolls and 15 bucks for whatever else you want to put on it thats 50 bucks for say 20 meals. Now you're not going to want to eat burgers everyday which is where it becomes expensive is varity but once you have a small "stock pile" of food on hand and all you have to do is replace that food it is much cheaper to eat in no matter how many people there are.

Answer 7

I have always found it less expensive to eat in than out, even if that means eating the deli food from the grocery store.  

When you eat out, you have to pay someone else to prepare and serve the food, so, yeah, it's bound to cost you more.

Even if you are alone, you can buy for two or four, and make the food last a week.

Answer 8

Buying groceries is always cheaper if you are feeding more than 2 people.

For less than 2 people, you can order 1 plate at a restaurant and its almost always big enough to feed 2 people. At least, here in Houston.

Answer 9

I think it is cheaper for you to just eat out. If you already crunched the numbers many times, then I guess it is really cheaper for you to eat out. Although I would say it also depends on where you're going to eat. Taken that into consideration, I think it is also harder to cook for just 1 person than to cook for a family. The serving size for just one person is harder to prepare although it also depends on what you're trying to cook and where you're buying. You can also try cooking a dish that can last you for a few days and just keep it your fridge and try alternating different dishes.  I guess in my opinion, I think it's still cheaper to buy and cook your own groceries than to eat out. We live here in Northern CA.