Does eating in really save money?

[disneysteve]

I eat out all the time and I find it can be health too.

Char broiled chicken

It is very easy to be misled into thinking that something you are ordering in a restaurant is healthy because a similar food is healthy when you make it at home. For example, lots of people order grilled chicken instead of fried chicken when they go out with the belief that it is healthier. Most of the time, it isn't. If you check the nutritional info from the restaurants that provide it, you will typically find that the amount of fat is very similar. Why? Because they marinate the chicken in fat-based marinades, baste them, etc. They add a lot of extra fat that you probably don't add when you cook at home. Same for fish. They coat it with butter before they broil it. Or they add cream and other fats to veggies. Things that should be healthy are not.

[Shzasaver2]

It is better for you and your kids health to eat at home and it will cost you less. I agree the up front costs of setting up your kitchen with staples will seem expensive at first but once all your staples are in place it will get easier to shop and budget you meals.

In regards to cooking, working friends recommended the magazine, 'Food Everyday' by Martha Stewart which I have found to be useful on occasion(Note: I am not a big Martha fan). Look for it at the check out stand. Not every month but every other month it has a weeks worth of dinner recipes planned out and are generally easy to make. It includes a stiff paper pull out with shopping list for all the meals listed for the week. Also, you can google recipes to prepare with the ingredients you have on hand. You do not need to pay for cooking classes and teaching yourself how to cook sets a great example for your kids.

PS - Do not forget to go to your local library for cook books and sometimes lessons.

[bluewaves]

I think that I've saved money by not eating out. When you get right down to the dollars and cents, you can fix yourself something to eat much more cheaply. Sometimes when I crave flavors, I'll order just a take out portion of the protein. Because I'm trying to lose weight too, I've found that I can live without all of the white stuff that seems so appetizing when you go into a restaurant. I think it can be healthier for you if you fix your own food.

[strigiformes]

Kudos to you, Scanner, for making the effort for your kids. And for yourself and your wallet, too. :-)

There are often really tasty (and simple!) recipes on the packages of food items themselves. These can be a sanity-saver for me. I hate trying to come up with dinner ideas off the top of my head, and cooking isn't one of my favorite activities, so I usually gravitate towards the quick and easy. You can always substitute or tweak recipes to suit what you have in the house already, or to make them more appealing to yourself or the kids. You can find a ton of recipes and meal ideas online, too. One of my favorite things to Google is "easy recipes".

For example, my family loves the recipe for chicken enchiladas that I got from an Old El Paso green enchilada sauce can and it's great for when I'm short on time. I always keep the ingredients for this on hand, just in case (and kids will eat it). Here it is, if you're interested:

1 pkg. cream cheese
1 small can diced green chiles
1 lg. can chicken breast (or substitute)
1 can green enchilada sauce
shredded cheese
soft tortillas

Throw the cream cheese, chiles, and chicken in a pan and heat until the cheese melts, spoon the mixture into the tortillas and roll 'em up, put them in a baking dish, top with a little green sauce and shredded cheese, and heat in the oven until the shredded cheese is melted. Add some pinto or refried beans, and/or rice, maybe some chips and salsa. Voila! Dinner is served, and without too much effort on my part (best of all!).

And of course, you can use leftover chicken breast, or pre-cooked fajita chicken/beef, or even hamburger/turkey/pork - whatever is available or convenient for you. Use less cheese/add onions, peppers, salsa, etc. to the mix - whatever suits your personal taste.

The CrockPot idea is a good one, too. There are lots of nice recipes for the CrockPot out there. And if you're going for ease rather than pure economy, you can buy packages of frozen CrockPot-ready meals (like chicken and dumplings, stroganoff, etc.) and also they sell beef and pork roast kits that come with cut up veggies (potatoes, celery, baby carrots) and a seasoning packet. All you have to do is put everything in the pot, add water, and turn it on to cook. They are a little more expensive, but still far cheaper than eating out would be.

Good luck, man. It gets easier...I swear!

[Debt Relief]

I know eating out has the forum mark of death on it. . .and here's a question I have had lingering.

First of all, you all remember I am divorcing and I am trying to learn how to cook better when I have the kids.

Tommorrow night I have them and I making ribs (on request) and salad and probably mac n' cheese.

Now, the ribs cost me around $14.00 and you figure the bbq sauce is $2.50-3 - so around $17.00 for the main course.

I am wondering if it wouldn't have been cheaper for Dad to go just go to the Acme to the salad bar/hot bar and gotten some prepared protein there and then just made the side salad and and mac/n/cheese. Or getting a rotisserie chicken (I know chicken to ribs is apples to oranges).

I do have a goal of taking a cooking class soon for this reason - I kinda suck.

(and maybe I'll meet some chicks there too )

Cooking for 1 could be argued that it's not all "that" cost effective. But if nothing else, cooking at home can DEFINITELY be more healthy.

I keep salad mix on hand all of the time. I keep fruit like apples and large navel or valencia oranges. I keep individually wrapped frozen salmon filets and chicken breast. I can make great meals just fixing a salmon filet or two, a salad, and an orange. Very healthy... low cal... and probably costs about $5-6 when if I have 2 filets or 2 breasts. I would spend more than that on Wendy's or McDs.

If you're cooking for 3 then the price per meal goes down. You don't need to take cooking lessons. Food Network was one of my favorite channels on TV. Very entertaining... and you can learn a LOT. You'll start to see common techniques. It doesn't take long to pick up the basics.

Also the Internet has an abundance of information. You can search Youtube and find videos on how to cook just about anything. Or use Google to find tons of cooking and recipe sites.

Practice cooking for your kids when you don't have them. And once you stumble onto something you cook well then surprise you kids with it the next time they are over.

Learning to cook is fun. Start simple... meat/salad/fruit or meat/salad/veggie... and branch out from there.

[Eric80]

eating/cooking at home definitely saves money, and in most cases, healthy too. the reason is very simple: when you eat out, people who serves you need making money.

[wincrasher]

Being an economical cook requires being a smart shopper. If you can't plan your meals or shop for bargains, you'll never save over eating out.

Case in point - had this recipe for a glazed pork loin. Looked easy enough - got a great deal on the loin. Halfway thru the prep, recipe needed a tsp of cloves. WTF are cloves?? Well, they are little redish grains in a small bottle marked $9.99!

There are great cooking shows on Food Network and on PBS. One of my favorites is America's Test Kitchen on PBS - they show you all kinds of tricks and have tried variations on their recipes to get the best results. All of their's I've tried have been keepers - except the glazed loin!

[disneysteve]

Cooking for 1 could be argued that it's not all "that" cost effective.

I keep individually wrapped frozen salmon filets and chicken breast. I can make great meals just fixing a salmon filet or two, a salad, and an orange.

I'd say that cooking for one can be just as economical as cooking for two. You can still buy in bulk. You can still cook in larger portions and freeze the results. Make a lasagna. Cut it into single-serve portions and freeze them. Then just heat them up as needed. Or buy a family pack of chicken breasts. Wrap them individually and freeze them. If you only need one, just take out one. If you have company, take out 2 or 3. Make a pot of soup and freeze single servings in small containers.

Being an economical cook requires being a smart shopper. If you can't plan your meals or shop for bargains, you'll never save over eating out.

Case in point - had this recipe for a glazed pork loin. Looked easy enough - got a great deal on the loin. Halfway thru the prep, recipe needed a tsp of cloves. WTF are cloves?? Well, they are little redish grains in a small bottle marked $9.99!

You do need to have some knowledge of foods and ingredients. Had you made that recipe without the cloves, it would have tasted just fine. It just wouldn't have tasted like cloves. I often (practically always) modify recipes either because I don't have a particular ingredient or don't like a particular ingredient. You just need to know what can be eliminated or substituted without altering the success of the recipe.

[wincrasher]

When trying something for the first time, I like to follow the recipe to the letter. If it turns out I like it, then its a keeper. Then the next time I'll try tinkering with it.

Still don't get the whole cloves thing. But I've got a nice bottle of it.

[disneysteve]

When trying something for the first time, I like to follow the recipe to the letter. If it turns out I like it, then its a keeper. Then the next time I'll try tinkering with it.

Still don't get the whole cloves thing. But I've got a nice bottle of it.

Not me. I'll change things the first time. My wife is a recipe follower. I'm the type that views a recipe more as an idea, a concept, rather than as an instruction manual. When I'm in the kitchen cooking, my wife will often ask if I need help and my usual response is no because I don't actually know what I'm doing. I make it up as I go along.

As for that bottle of cloves, Google "recipes with cloves" and find some things to use them for. I seem to think we use them in a couple of cookie recipes.

[zetta]

Case in point - had this recipe for a glazed pork loin. Looked easy enough - got a great deal on the loin. Halfway thru the prep, recipe needed a tsp of cloves. WTF are cloves?? Well, they are little redish grains in a small bottle marked $9.99!

$9.99 is very high for cloves! Look around for a cheaper source for your spices. In our grocery store, the are a lot of spices in the baking aisle that tend to be expensive. In the "latino foods" aisle, you can get many of the same spices in smaller quantities for just a dollar or two -- the packaging looks like the brand may be from Mexico. If you only need a small amount, you're better off buying the smaller package -- spices are better the fresher they are anyway.

[disneysteve]

$9.99 is very high for cloves! Look around for a cheaper source for your spices. In our grocery store, the are a lot of spices in the baking aisle that tend to be expensive. In the "latino foods" aisle, you can get many of the same spices in smaller quantities for just a dollar or two -- the packaging looks like the brand may be from Mexico. If you only need a small amount, you're better off buying the smaller package -- spices are better the fresher they are anyway.

Also, avoid McCormick which is the main national brand. Their prices are nuts. We buy the generic brands and have never had a problem. Your local dollar store will have a selection of many common spices.

[wincrasher]

Well, when it comes to food, I like to know where stuff comes from. So your generic, dollar store, Chinese god-knows-what is not going in my basket. Saying "I've never had a problem" isn't much comfort. The people who fed their kids tainted baby formula probably never had a problem either - until they did. There isn't really much you can do about such things, other than just being aware and cautious.

So when it comes to food, I'm reading the labels and making a decision. I certainly have my share of bulk spices from Costco, which are pretty reasonable and they say where it comes from. Many spice items originate in India, which isn't much comfort, other than I know that there aren't all the poisoning cases like there are in China.

So with the "cloves situation" I was in the middle of something, so had to rush out to the grocery and get something. Believe it or not, it was actually the best deal price/quantity wise in the store. It says they are from Texas. Think paprika may have been a good substitute though.

[investingnoob]

$1 menu is cheaper!
But you'll die an early life..

[LaVicky]

Meals

Hey Scanner,
Hows it going now with the meals. Really enjoyed reading this thread and everyones responses.


Im female and have never been one to be blessed in the art of cooking let alone have the desire that drives so many women. I find it too time consuming and I get impatient with cooking. I didnt grow up cooking next to my Mom, even though Mom cooked everything and we rarely ate out, a traditional meat and potatoes home. But also cant say that I was exposed to much variety and was a picky eater for a chunk of my life.

THEN I met my second husband. Who loves good food, exposed me to all types of restaraunts and cooking, Thai being one that I just love now.

But I still could care less about cooking, he got laid off for a good chunk of time and started to watch Rachel Ray on tv and trying recipes hed made for dinner, he has more of the natural flair to cook then I do, so I say "Ill mow the lawn, you can cook the dinner" haha

He can cook some GREAT dishes. Me? Its not that I cant, I just dont get into it if that makes sense?

Well now hes back to work and Im cooking again for two teenage sons (who by the way love hubbys cooking too!)

I got so used to eating all his good cooking that Ive had to try and emulate some of his recipes, I have 2 of them down now, which Im proud of myself!

I think when kids our young, they eat what we put in front of them, you dont give them the choices, you dont ask them what they want, you give them what you have and whats in the budget, of course if they absolutely hate it and you know it then I wouldnt push that.

I also have a divorce situation and there father was contacting me saying they wouldnt eat at his house and what was I feeding them? I think part of it is they are used to Mom cooking as mine are with me more, the routine of our home, Dads routine is more fast food, eating out, sodas, just a lot of pleasure food, so when Dad would try and cook a meal, the kids were used to LETS EAT OUT! That they played that card, gave Dad a hard time, you know kids manipulate well in divorce situations. Dad would feel guilty and like he did something wrong then give up and resort back to the crappy eating, and kids got what they wanted. But they knew Mom didnt operate that way and didnt try that routine on her.

I have some basics I cook for my kids that are my faves to prepare, that are quick and easy. But you can also use fresh ingredients.

Tacos is one my great staples. I buy ground turkey(Im eating better here) and actually I love it more and am so used to it now I prefer it over ground beef. Then just some tortillas, I lightly fry them on the pan with a little olive oil. Then just throw in a can of refried beans, some chopped up lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, avocado mashed, whatever you guys like, let the kids MAKE there own tacos and put what ingredients they want on them, that way they feel they have a choice. Ive been buying fresh made salsa to put on the tacos. I usually ALWAYS have left overs and can eat these for another day. We have this often


Another easy recipe. 1 pack of ground beef or turkey, 1 pack of hamburger buns, or you can just do sandwich bread, one bottle of BBQ sauce, Sloppy Joes easy style. And by the way we bought some bottles of Famous Daves BBQ sauces our local Costco was selling them and I got 3 diff ones and now we make the sloppy joes with them, just brown the meat, dump in the sauce, throw the buns in the toaster is you like or leave them soft and thats it! Fast and easy!

Chicken w/Rice, you can by pre cut up chicken if your trying to save time, I hate cutting up meat for some reason, but did just buy some boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut them up, fried them in a pan, then added some Thai Sauce, I get a lot of stuff at Trader Joes and they have this Yummy Green Curry sauce to simmer meat in. Then I just make up a pan of rice at the same time, Trader Joes prices are excellent and they have so many variations with better nutritional value. Then all you have to do is pour the chicken and the simmer sauce on the rice and thats it! But you can try all kinds of sauces with meats, just experiment.

Just a few items I do at home, trying to eat better, we buy organic when we can, and I stay away from a lot of added sugars and preservatives. We spend so much money on other things in life and skimp when it comes to maintain the bodies we reside in, we really often put our own bodies last with our diets, kinda sad, so Im trying to retrain my thinking in that direction.

I do think a cooking class could help inspire you and create more desire in the cooking area, and yes Im speaking as a woman but I LOVE IT when my husband cooks and I find it totally sexy, so it a win win in my book!